Philosophy and Treatment Approach

The adolescent program provides treatment for individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN), avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), and other feeding and eating disorders.  The program is grounded in the principles of Family-Based Treatment (FBT), the evidence-based intervention for adolescents with eating disorders, as well as broader evidence-based practices. We emphatically understand that parents and families are not to blame for the onset of eating disorders but are the most powerful resources in supporting their teenager’s recovery. Families play an essential role in the adolescent’s healing process. While we, as clinicians and researchers, are experts in eating disorders, parents are the experts on their child, and their involvement is crucial to the success of treatment. A substantial body of research underscores the effectiveness of FBT, with approximately two-thirds of adolescent patients achieving full recovery by the end of treatment, and an impressive 75-90% maintaining significant recovery at the five-year follow-up. 

Our program incorporates Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which are integrated into group, family, and individual therapy sessions. These evidence-based treatments are designed to help patients effectively regulate their emotions that often arise around eating, body image, and social situations. 

Program Logistics

Specialty Tracks and Program Highlights

Group Therapy

Adolescents participate in a variety of group therapies with their peers or with their families. Patients process feelings, learn coping skills, and receive support from one another. Program also incorporates weekly Family DBT Skills Group where parents learn the skills alongside the patient so that the skills can be modeled at home and everyone is speaking the same language of recovery. 

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 
• Interpersonal Effectiveness 
• Emotion Regulation 
• Distress Tolerance  
• Mindfulness 
• Living Life Outside of Your Disorder (LLOYD) 
• Media Awareness 
• Expressive Arts 
• Process Groups 
• Breathing Exercises & Techniques 
• Behavioral Activation 
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) 
• Challenging Perfectionism 

Specialty Groups

Our program offers several specialty tracks that to target more individualized needs. These groups include:

• Anxiety Management 
• Athlete Track 
• Exercise Topics 
• RO-DBT  
• Body Image  
• Break the Cycle (for our BN, AN-bp, and AN-p patients)   
• ARFID Exposures 
• Movement Group 

Individual Therapy

Teens work with an individual DBT therapist to help them recognize and challenge eating disorder thoughts and behaviors. Therapists often focus on enhancing patient motivation and helping them apply skills to specific challenges and events in their lives. 

Family Therapy

Adolescents and their families participate in FBT sessions weekly. This is an opportunity for families to create plans for recovery and learn new skills to support their child. 

Multifamily Programming 

In addition to family therapy sessions, families engage in multifamily group sessions. This intensive family involvement is the cornerstone of treatment. Research consistently demonstrates that the family aspect of the FBT approach is the single most influential factor in an adolescent’s recovery, driving lasting change and fostering a foundation for sustainable healing.  

Family programming includes multifamily meals in which parents participate in plating and eating with their teen and other families. Parents practice plating from a buffet where they receive support and feedback from both therapy and dietary staff. 

Schooling

We are proud to partner with the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) to offer our patients dedicated academic instruction for one hour each day. Through this collaboration, students receive personalized educational support that allows them to maintain academic progress while in treatment.
For those enrolled in online schooling, this time can also be used to meet with instructors or independently complete coursework ensuring continuity in their education.

This partnership provides a rare and invaluable opportunity: patients can fully engage in the eating disorder treatment they need while confidently staying on track academically.