Eating Disorders

As part of Cliffside Malibu’s intensive treatment program, there is a high priority placed on individual therapy with sessions being offered up to five times per week. The therapists at Cliffside Malibu have extensive experience in the areas of dual diagnosis, recognizing that there are core issues underlying addiction and there are often co-occurring disorders that need to be treated.

Among Cliffside Malibu’s therapists are eating disorder specialists, trauma recovery specialists, and dual diagnosis and addiction experts.

For individuals suffering from eating disorders, individualized and group treatment is offered, and the therapist works with the client on a daily basis, offering intensive treatment for Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Body Dysmorphic Disorder and other forms of disordered eating and the multitude of co-occurring disorders, such as substance abuse, depression, and anxiety.

Following are some elements that are provided and addressed throughout the individual’s treatment:

Medical, clinical and psychiatric assessments:

Individual and group therapy to address core issues underlying the eating disorder

Therapeutic approaches to address common themes of perfectionism, fear, anger, shame and control

Addressing relationships and roles with family and significant others

Redefining the relationship with food

Addressing body image issues, correcting cognitive distortions, maladaptive thoughts and negative belief systems, and defenses

Redefining the relationship with the body

Process work to build a more integrated and cohesive core self

Learning coping strategies and grounding methods to deal with triggers and impulses through cognitive-behavioral interventions and process work, all based on a foundation of unconditional positive regard and strength-based support and motivation between therapist and client

Learning emotional regulation strategies

Developing meal plans

Check-ins and monitoring before, after and during meals

Narrative work and food journaling exercises

Nutritional counseling

Medical supervision

Acupuncture, yoga and fitness experts work with clients to build the mind-body connection and to facilitate and promote a healthy relationship with mind, body and food

Family sessions, couple sessions, group sessions

Extensive exit planning and establishment of aftercare

There is a unique opportunity in the serene and healing setting of Cliffside Malibu for the therapist to see the client at their most difficult times, for example during a meal, and the therapist serves as a source of comfort and a guiding presence for many situations.

Maximum structure and protection are provided to clients upon admission. After completing treatment, there is the option for clients to move into our extended care program. Here the opportunity is provided to the clients to gain greater responsibility and freedom with options to go on passes with significant others and alone to practice their new skills in their lives and the community through building a supportive network of people and recovery-related activities as they transition back into their lives.

For additional information on the exclusive eating disorder program at Cliffside Malibu, please visit our Eating Disorder page. For immediate assistance call Cliffside Malibu anytime at 800-501-1988.