Renfrew Specialized Eating Disorder

Treatment for Adolescent Girls

The transition from childhood to adulthood is one of the most complex phases of development and serves as one of the major risk factors for the development of an eating disorder. With this transition comes emerging physical changes, emotional highs and lows, peer pressure, gradual distancing from family, and an overwhelming need for approval, acceptance and attention.

Because adolescence is such a unique stage of life, it is critical that teenagers struggling with eating disorders receive specialized treatment to meet their needs. With this in mind, The Renfrew Center has created an age-specific residential treatment program designed around the distinctive circumstances and emotional needs of the adolescent population.

Teenage GirlsExclusive Programming for

Fresh Perspectives from the Most ExperiencedThe Renfrew Center is the premier residential treatment program worldwide for females with eating disorders. With more than three decades of experience, we have established ourselves as the pioneer in the field, and our specialized Adolescent Program continues to reflect our stellar reputation.

Drawing from the expertise of our Clinical Advisory Board and additional clinical leadership, Renfrew has created The Unified Treatment Model for Eating Disorders®, an evidence-based, therapeutic approach to achieving lasting recovery. Successful research outcomes from this innovative model have been published in renowned peer-reviewed journals, demonstrating its effectiveness in the treatment of eating disorders.

A Multifaceted Program Our team of psychologists, social workers, nurses, dietitians, psychiatrists, and physicians apply a unique treatment model to help adolescent girls move towards better health and recovery. The Adolescent Program was developed with the belief that eating disorder treatment warrants the creation of individualized goals and expectations. Each patient presents with a unique set of circumstances — developmental growth, personality traits and family dynamics.

Highlights of the residential program include:

• A multidisciplinary team, trained specifically to treat teens and young women

• Support groups and services designed to address age-appropriate issues such as peer dynamics, relationship issues, sexuality, and body image

• Teens room only with other teens

• Exclusive space for adolescents to socialize with their peers

• Student Education Support Services, with the primary consideration that the patient’s priority is on her treatment

• A focus on family work including family therapy, multi-family groups, and family weekends

• Strategic, selective integration with adult patients to build experiences that foster relationships and gain a perspective on their current circumstances

Adolescent Housing at The Renfrew Center of Philadelphia

Eating Disorders in Adolescents Occur and Heal Within the Family Context Eating disorders do not stand alone, and we understand their far-reaching impact on the whole family. Therefore, families are an integral part of the adolescent’s treatment and a pivotal force in recovery.

Through Renfrew’s Unified Treatment Model for Eating Disorders®, parents learn how to constructively handle emotions and behaviors that perpetuate the eating disorder of their loved one. The model helps parents identify important family patterns and roles, as well as better recognize and understand their own emotional responses.

Healing in a Teenager’s Real WorldWhile the treatment and recovery of our patients is our highest priority, we also understand the educational needs of teenagers. Our Student Education Support Services staff helps patients fulfill their academic commitments by serving as liaisons to schools, evaluating academic expectations and arranging special help.

Services include:

• Education consultation: Upon admission, patients and their families meet with our Education Liaison to discuss academic commitments.

• School contact: Our Education Liaison works with school personnel to evaluate and modify academic expectations when necessary. The liaison will also create a transition plan for her return.

• Contact with parents: The liaison maintains ongoing contact with the adolescent’s family or guardian throughout treatment.

• Study time: Supervised study time is scheduled on weekdays.

• Tutoring: Should a student require additional assistance, Renfrew will assist in procuring outside help.

Continuing the Patient Recovery PathThe Renfrew Center’s commitment to care continues for life. We understand that no patient, current or former, should feel alone; therefore, our alumni community serves as a safe space where thoughts, feelings and experiences can be shared and supported.

Aftercare

Staff at each of Renfrew’s 19 locations are specifically trained to work with adolescents and the unique needs of this age group, as well as provide support to their families.

Within the first few days at Renfrew, each patient is assigned an Aftercare Coordinator who works with her, her family and her treatment team to develop an individualized aftercare plan, setting her up for success in recovery.

We provide alumni with opportunities for lasting recovery through a wide variety of free, ongoing support services, including: annual reunions; onsite workshops at each of Renfrew’s locations nationwide; subscription to our biannual newsletter, Connections; access to our alumni website; and monthly recovery webinars.

RenfrewAbout The Renfrew Center

The Renfrew Center has been the pioneer in the treatment of eating disorders since 1985. As the nation’s first residential eating disorder facility, now with 19 locations throughout the country, Renfrew has helped more than 75,000 adolescent girls and women with eating disorders move towards recovery. Renfrew provides women suffering from anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and related mental health problems with the tools they need to succeed in recovery and in life.

The Renfrew Center of Florida7700 Renfrew LaneCoconut Creek, FL 33073

The Renfrew Center of Philadelphia475 Spring LanePhiladelphia, PA 19128

Our Locations Adolescent Treatment Programming is offered at the following residential sites:

The Renfrew Center of Philadelphia

The Renfrew Center of Florida

To learn more about The Renfrew Center’s Adolescent Program, please contact us at 1-800-RENFREW or at www.renfrewcenter.com.

Atlanta, GA | Baltimore, MD | Bethesda, MD | Boston, MA | Charlotte, NC | Chicago, IL | Coconut Creek, FL

Los Angeles, CA | Mt. Laurel, NJ | Nashville, TN | New York, NY | Old Greenwich, CT | Orlando, FL

Philadelphia, PA (Center City & Spring Lane) | Pittsburgh, PA | Radnor, PA | Ridgewood, NJ | West Palm Beach, FL