An essential treatment goal is to empower patients to practice healthy eating and normalize eating patterns while providing the body the nutrients it requires. Our team dietitian provides patients with specialized nutritional assessments, counseling, and meal planning.

Meal Plans

Meal plans are based on a point system where food points represent energy, and patients are prescribed a specific number of food points for the day based on their body's current energy needs. As patients progress, they are trusted to consume some points during non-program hours, gradually transitioning into independent eating before/after program and on weekends. Our dietitian and treatment team will increase or decrease a patient's food points throughout the course of treatment based on changes in the individual's body energy needs.

Food at The Healing Connection

Our partial hospitalization program chef prepares fresh meals and snacks daily, which are eaten as a group among patients and designated staff in a safe, supervised space. Patients in the intensive outpatient program practice preparing and bringing their meals. Patients receive support from staff and fellow group members during and after therapeutic meals as they practice new ways of coping with feelings related to food and eating.

Food at Home

Dietitian works with patients as they progress to incorporate points into weekday breakfasts and snacks at home, gradually transitioning into independent eating before/after daily programs and on weekends. Dietitian and therapy staff work closely with partners and parents of adolescents and young adults living at home to provide education regarding meal plan completion, food preparation/serving, and meal time coaching skills. Patients reflect on mealtime successes and setbacks when they return to program. 

Specialized Food Needs

Special adjustments can be made for patients with diabetes, food allergies or lactose intolerance after verifying with the patient's primary care physician. Accommodations for vegetarianism are determined after intake evaluation. Our program is currently not able to accommodate food restrictions due to veganism or celiac disease.