The Emily Program Eating Disorder Outpatient and Residential Treatment Center - Columbus, OH — Attraction in Columbus

It's been a year since I first admitted to the Emily Program in Columbus, OH. I wanted to wait and review until I had time to process my residential treatment in a way that could be helpful to other individuals seeking help.

I started my treatment journey in April 2024. I had NEVER sought out treatment for my eating disorder before then. I spent many hours researching different treatment options, centers, and programs. My home state (KY) does not have a lot of resources for mental health, let alone resources for eating disorders. After searching for what seemed like forever, I landed on The Emily Program. It is everything it says on it's website. Trauma informed. Structured. Wholistic.

The Emily Program saved my life. Literally. I have had an eating disorder for nearly 18 years. I'm in my late 20s- my ED is/was very deeply engrained in me. Before admitting into their residential program, I sought out help from my PCP who said that I should seek out an IOP program and that I'd probably be fine with that (it was not/I was not). The Emily Program saw me. They heard what I was saying and I had a bed within a week of intake. I spent 12 1/2 weeks with the Emily Program, collectively (I did relapse and had 2 stays.. but they welcomed me back with open arms and did not at all make me feel ashamed for relapsing and having to come back, which was a really hard pill to swallow, but they helped me process that as well). I didn't know what to expect, I was away from what little support I had wrangled, and I jumped in feet first. The staff at the Emily Program helped ease that transition into what is ultimately a (VERY) emotionally charged situation, as is any type of treatment. They bring compassion with assertiveness and that is NEEDED in eating disorder therapy. Eating disorders are vicious and cyclical and sometimes assertion is needed to break cycles. There is a fair amount of autonomy as far as residential treatment is concerned, and none of the staff act like they don't want to be there and that is IMPORTANT. TEP tries to hear the needs of the community while also trying to prioritize individual care. Treatment teams comprise of RDs, therapists, medication management, medical staff, peer support, and truthfully, each staff member that works there. It's a sucky situation to be in, the staff recognizes that, and they try to humanize the residents and clients that, in turn, helps them (us) to humanize ourselves. Treatment is hard. Treatment is hard because it goes against the core beliefs your eating disorder has convinced you of. It matters where you seek treatment because of that. You have to feel safe enough to allow yourself to be challenged. The Emily Program helped me to do that. While recovery is not linear and while I still struggle at times, I am constantly pulling information and using skills I gained from TEP.

And, not for nothing, there was a period sometime after discharging for the second time that I was desperately looking for resources and kept coming up empty handed. I reached out to the Emily Program to see if they knew of any resources, and within that same week, I had an email in my inbox with several different options for treatment near me.

This was and will probably remain to be one of the hardest experiences of my life, but TEP and the staff there have helped me to be open and remain open to the idea that I am worthy of seeking help. And for that I will forever be grateful. If ever you need a...

I was asked to write an essay on how I have grown morally as a person in the past year. I wrote about my experience with the emily program, and I thought I’d share it with anyone wondering what the experience was like.

“…Along side this, my eating disorder took a turn for the worst. I was so malnourished that I couldn’t balance, I was dizzy all the time, and even talking took so much energy, that I was no longer able to express myself. It was constant doctors appointment after road-trip after doctors appointment to get me treatment, and I spend months fighting to survive everyday. There were no breaks, no time to step back, and no room to make error. It was either I eat, or — (there would be serious consequences). I finally received treatment with an amazing residential facility in Columbus, Ohio. I was there for 7 weeks. I missed prom, I missed home, and I missed being myself. However, that time there allowed me to regain control of my eating disorder, and exposed me to so many wonderful peers that not only understood, but related. I found my self-worth again, I had energy, and therefore, I felt like me. The break I needed all along was there, I just had to fight for it. Recovery is not linear, but I am on a track I am determined to finish, no matter how many boundaries I must set, however many friendships I may lose, or more. I’m living for myself and my joy. I am, morally, at peace.”

In addition, this programs’ groups allowed me to interact with coping skills and real-life situations I might have encountered in real life. They were engaging and genuinely helped me learn how to set boundaries, practice self-worth, and advocating for myself. The employees were so wonderful. They all were there because they cared about us and wanted to help us. No one ever made us feel alone, or like we were weak, or threw a pity party. We were treated as human beings, and friends. We knew we consistently had support when we needed it, and no matter rain or shine, someone would be there to help support us. We were never alone in this fight. I am at a point in my recovery where before treatment, I would’ve just relapsed and begun my unhealthy habits again. However, due to my treatment team and the support of others, I am more motivated than ever to live my life in love with myself, my body, and the world around me. This is super cheesy, and many of you may not believe me, but this place is truely one of the best treatment facilities I’ve ever been to, and I know that if I ever needed residential treatment again (hopefully not) that this is the first place I’d go. Sorry for the...

Knew somebody personally that participated in treatment hear some years ago in adolescents and TEP seemed very helpful for them. In my referral process I also heard an incredibly large amount of good things about it. My experience (to specify - in adult residential) did not end up living to that expectation though. To be fair to them, my circumstances weren't great going into it anyway. I was pregnant going into residential treatment and generally not feeling well physically of mentally. I was only there for 3 days, and honestly I think had I not ended up getting so extremely sick from the large increase very suddenly in intake - I just might have had a good experience and I would have continued to stay through the entirety of my residential. Unfortunately this wasn't the case. Firstly, from my experience you get immediately throw head first in the very second you get there. Within the same day of getting there, I was eating about 4-5 times the amount I was eating at home - which was A LOT. If you didn't complete it you had to supplement and if you didn't complete the supplement then they documented it everytime. I ate so much within 2 days that I began getting headaches and began getting EXTREMELY sick - like I threw up involuntarily in front of others. It was miserable and also destroyed my dignity quite honestly. At one point I had thrown up on myself, my clothes, and the wall so I had to take a shower and whilst showering I literally cried from the worry I had accidentally thrown up on someone (luckily, I did not). Directly after this, within 10 or so minutes, the came to me and told me I HAD TO go to groups regardless of how sick I was and how embarassed I was of what had happened. I got to a point that this happened several times, and I refused to participate in groups which I was met with staff coming in CONSTANTLY to try to make me get up and go - some even went as far as to threaten to have me kicked out if I didn't comply. After 3 days of that, I threw up the surrender flag and signed out AMA. Honestly, had I not been pregnant I may have had an easier time with the transition and I could see my treatment having been at least tolerable. And the staff were mostly WONDERFUL and so kind to me. If my circumstances were to be different and the opportunity came that I could try it again, I am hopeful it could be different and could be so much more helpful to me. If it were the same experience the second time, I'd NEVER suggest it to a single soul - but honestly I would definetly try again and give it another chance befor making such a call which is why I...