Summit Eating Disorders and Outreach Program Expands Programming, Adding Outpatient Treatment Programs in Fresno and Roseville, California

SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Of the estimated 11 million women, men and children suffering from eating disorders including anorexia and bulimia, it is believed that only 10 percent actually receive treatment for their illnesses, and that only 35 percent of those individuals seek care at a specialized program for eating disorders. To expand the specialized eating disorders treatment options available to patients and families in Northern California, Summit Eating Disorders and Outreach Program has opened two new outpatient treatment programs in Roseville and Fresno.

"While eating disorders awareness is increasing, many people still don't realize the complexity of and dangers associated with eating disorders—these illnesses have serious medical, psychological and sociocultural dimensions, and they also have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness," explains Tony Paulson, PhD, co-founder and Chief Clinical Officer of Summit Eating Disorders and Outreach Program. "Expanding our recovery programming into the Fresno and Roseville communities increases access to specialized care from experienced eating disorders treatment practitioners and supports early diagnosis, effective intervention and lasting recovery."

Summit Eating Disorders Outpatient Program at Fresno and Summit Eating Disorders Outpatient Program at Roseville will offer medically-supervised outpatient services for adults and adolescents suffering from anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder. Outpatient treatment is designed for medically stable adult and adolescent patients who would benefit from eating disorders treatment while remaining engaged in their daily lives.  Individual and family therapy, psychiatric evaluation and nutrition education will be offered by appointment in addition to an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). Held in a flexible setting by a team of psychiatrists, Registered Dietitians, family therapists and individual therapists, Summit's Intensive Outpatient Program offers nine hours of structured treatment per week and incorporates the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Family Based Treatment (FBT, for adolescent patients). Treatment includes medical monitoring, dietary education and monitoring, supported meals and multi-family education to support lasting eating disorders recovery.

"Summit's Intensive Outpatient Program provides structure and support as patients confront common 'triggers' for eating disordered thoughts and behaviors and teaches the skills necessary for sustainable recovery," continues Dr. Paulson. "IOP can be a meaningful next step in a patient's treatment continuum or a valuable adjunct to individual therapy."

The addition of Summit Eating Disorders Outpatient Program at Fresno and Summit Eating Disorders Outpatient Program at Roseville complement Summit's existing eating disorder treatment programs and services based in Sacramento. Since its inception in 2000, Summit has offered outpatient levels of care, including a seven day-per-week Partial Hospitalization Program, an Intensive Outpatient Program and flexible outpatient programming, led by a multidisciplinary team of experienced eating disorder treatment professionals.

For more information about Summit's eating disorders treatment options in Sacramento, Fresno or Roseville, call (916) 574-1000 or visit www.sedop.org.   

About Summit Eating Disorders and Outreach Program

Summit Eating Disorders and Outreach Program is a Joint Commission-accredited center for eating disorders treatment and prevention based in Sacramento, California. Founded in 2000, Summit is a medically-supervised treatment program serving both adolescents and adults with anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder, and organizes professional development and prevention services for the community at large. A multidisciplinary team of professionals oversees outpatient levels of care, including a seven day-per-week Partial Hospitalization Program, an Intensive Outpatient Program and flexible outpatient programming in Sacramento, as well as Intensive Outpatient and flexible outpatient programs in Fresno and Roseville. Summit is in partnership with Eating Recovery Center, an international center for eating disorders recovery providing comprehensive treatment for anorexia, bulimia, EDNOS and binge eating disorder. For more information about Summit, call (916) 574-1000 or visit www.sedop.org.  

SOURCE Summit Eating Disorders and Outreach Program