Philosophy

At Opal, we practice from a holistic approach that considers the biological, psychological, emotional, social, familial and spiritual factors contributing to the development and maintenance of an eating disorder. We believe in these important treatment components:

• Nutrition restoration and, when appropriate, movement towards intuitive eating
• Excellent medical care, including psychiatric treatment when indicated
• Focus on the role emotions play in the maintenance of eating disorder symptoms
• Mindfulness
• Acceptance of what will likely not change
• Exposure to fears and anxieties in a supported, self-paced way
• Healing through relationships, including the client-therapist relationship
• Strengthening the social community of the client, including family work
• Helping clients mediate temperamental challenges in non-food related ways
• Identifying values and living a meaningful life in accordance with these values

Our staff at Opal believes that people can be fully recovered from an eating disorder! We work from a place of hope, compassion, and patience.