Author: Mary Kate Tschida

3 Reasons to Recommend PHP/IOP Treatment for Your Adolescent Patients This Summer

Written by Mary Kate Tschida on May 20, 2024. Posted in Blog.

Summer can be a hectic time for families. With vacations planned, camps booked, and social gatherings scheduled, your patient’s family may hesitate to seek eating disorder treatment. Unfortunately, these illnesses leave no room for putting off care. The “right time” for treatment may, in fact, be this summer — not because the timing is perfect, but because the sooner an eating disorder is treated, the better.

Eating disorders are severe, potentially life-threatening illnesses. Adolescent patients are particularly vulnerable to their effects, as they are in a critical stage of development physically, emotionally, and mentally. Therefore, it is critical to get your young patients the help they need as quickly as possible. As a healthcare provider, you play an essential role in identifying the signs of an eating disorder and referring young patients to the right resources. Early intervention is crucial to protecting their overall health and achieving positive treatment outcomes.

Binge Eating Disorder: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Written by Mary Kate Tschida on March 22, 2024. Posted in Blog.

Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in the United States, with more people experiencing BED than anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa combined. Despite its widespread impact, BED is generally less well-known than anorexia and bulimia.

This lack of recognition can be a significant barrier to getting help. Knowing what to look for when it comes to the signs of binge eating disorder can empower you to identify BED early in yourself, a loved one, or a patient. Early intervention for this serious illness is essential to mitigating harm to physical, emotional, and mental well-being and setting the stage for a long and successful recovery.

Read on for a comprehensive exploration of binge eating disorder, including its signs and symptoms, risk factors, treatment options, and more. We’ll give you the knowledge and resources you need to help you, your loved one, or your patient understand and heal from binge eating.

Staff Spotlight, Sydney Engberg

Written by Mary Kate Tschida on March 13, 2024. Posted in Blog.

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Sydney Engberg (she/her) and I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), MS, LD, CPT (Certified Personal Trainer), at Veritas’ eating disorder treatment center in Atlanta, Georgia. I have been with Veritas since August of 2021.

Eating disorder treatment center - PHP/IOP intervention may avert need for residential care

5 Reasons PHP/IOP Can Help Your Patient Recover From an Eating Disorder Without Residential Care

Written by Mary Kate Tschida on March 8, 2024. Posted in Blog.

Your patient seems to be struggling more lately. More talk about food, more self-judgment and isolation. Their eating disorder behaviors are up and their motivation for recovery is down. They could use some extra support.

Then again, this doesn’t exactly scream crisis. Surely your patient doesn’t need residential or inpatient care yet.

Where to turn?

At Veritas Collaborative, we offer partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs (PHP/IOP) to treat eating disorders; these are early intervention services that help patients recover sooner. These structured programs offer more support than traditional outpatient eating disorder treatment and more flexibility than around-the-clock care. Patients can admit directly to PHP/IOP, well before 24/7 care is warranted.

Rather than wait until your patient may need the highest level of care, consider how early intervention may help them now. Here are five reasons PHP/IOP may be right for your patient.

Is It Time to Seek Help? 5 Behaviors That Could Indicate an Eating Disorder

Written by Mary Kate Tschida on February 27, 2024. Posted in Blog.

You’ve started dodging dinner plans because you’re worried your friends might notice that your eating habits have changed.

You’ve become hyper-fixated on your body and started working out early every morning to “make up” for the previous day’s eating.

You’ve noticed that your ever-dwindling list of “safe” foods is making it hard to eat a nutritionally balanced diet.

If you see yourself in any of the above behaviors, it may indicate that you’re struggling with disordered eating or an eating disorder.

Eating disorders are characterized by a disturbance in an individual’s eating and food behaviors or self-perception. These complex, biologically based illnesses are influenced by environmental, social, and psychological factors. Unfortunately, they are not uncommon, with nearly 30 million Americans experiencing an eating disorder in their lifetime. Knowing the signs of an eating disorder can help you catch it early and get you the help you need.

Staff Spotlight, Becca Ayers

Written by Mary Kate Tschida on February 20, 2024. Posted in Blog.

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Becca Ayers (she/her), and I’m a Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) at Veritas Collaborative’s Douglas Eating Disorder Treatment Center for adults in Durham, North Carolina. I originally started as a Therapeutic Assistant in 2022, so I’ve been with Veritas Collaborative for a year and a half now!

Announcing Expansion of Adult Inpatient Programming in Durham, NC

Written by Mary Kate Tschida on January 16, 2024. Posted in Blog.

Veritas Collaborative is thrilled to announce that we are adding a 12-bed inpatient unit for adults at our RTP Eating Disorder Treatment Center in Durham, North Carolina. With this expansion, we will address the growing demand for specialized adult services within the state. The existing Douglas location in Durham will continue to serve 25 residential patients, making 37 adult beds available across sites to patients in need of these higher levels of care.

Two women putting food on their plate in a cafeteria

What Are Therapeutic Meals?

Written by Mary Kate Tschida on December 12, 2023. Posted in Blog.

At Veritas Collaborative, meals are more than just fuel for the body—they’re opportunities for healing. Therapeutic meals and snacks address fear and anxiety surrounding food and eating, both hallmarks of eating disorders. These supportive meals are a major aspect of our treatment programs, including inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization (PHP), and intensive outpatient (IOP) care.

We foster a “Can Eat Culture” that embraces the philosophy that “all foods fit.” This approach rejects the restrictive “eat this, not that” mentality of diet culture, calling instead for variety and flexibility with eating. Therapeutic meals and snacks are key aspects of our “Can Eat Culture.”

Read on to learn what therapeutic meals entail and how they can help pave the way to a more balanced and peaceful relationship with food.

Staff Spotlight, Amy Laster

Written by Mary Kate Tschida on December 4, 2023. Posted in Blog.

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Amy Laster (she/her). I am a Psychotherapist, LCMHC, as well as a Clinical Manager for Veritas Collaborative’s Triangle Outpatient Treatment Center in Durham, North Carolina. I have worked for Veritas for over four years.

What does a typical day look like for you at Veritas Collaborative?

It’s hard to describe a “typical” day (which is what I love so much about this work!), but my days involve a combination of clinical supervisions, direct patient care, various consultation meetings, milieu management, group facilitation, programming and scheduling management, connections with providers in the community, outreach efforts, and more.

A mother and her daughter sit at a table talking

How to Talk to Your Adult Child About Their Eating Disorder

Written by Mary Kate Tschida on November 30, 2023. Posted in Blog.

Perhaps you’ve noticed some differences in your adult child’s behavior. These changes are mostly related to their eating and exercise habits, but extend to their general demeanor.

Maybe they push their food around on their plate without eating much of it.

Maybe they can’t seem to stop talking about their new diet and exercise regimen.

Maybe they deliberately avoid family gatherings that involve food.

Approaching your child about these behaviors may feel daunting. You might worry about upsetting them or creating distance in your relationship. While you understand that they are now in charge of their own health decisions, you are deeply concerned about their well-being. The situation is undeniably distressing. Though you cannot force your adult child into seeking help, your support, empathy, and guidance can empower them to take that crucial next step.

Read on to learn some helpful tips on initiating a conversation about eating disorder treatment with your adult child.

Post-Treatment: Maintaining Progress and Preventing Relapse in Eating Disorders

Written by Mary Kate Tschida on November 14, 2023. Posted in Blog.

Discharging from treatment is a significant milestone—a testament to your eating disorder patient’s hard work and progress in recovery. While this is often a cause for celebration, there is still more healing to do. Providers like you play a key part in guiding these patients toward long-lasting freedom and stability.

As your patient continues their journey toward recovery, they will undoubtedly face a variety of triggers, both new and old. In fact, transitions themselves are a risk factor for eating disorders, and the transition from treatment to “normal life” is no exception. Stepping back into everyday life can also bring forth a set of challenging situations, including inappropriate comments from others and diet culture pressures.

Read on for strategies and insights that will empower you to guide your patients in facing these challenges head-on.

Episode 88: Seeking Help for a Child’s Eating Disorder with Aronson Kagiliery

Written by Mary Kate Tschida on November 6, 2023. Posted in Blog, Peace Meal Podcast.

Episode description:

Aronson Kagiliery joins Peace Meal to share her family’s journey of finding the right eating disorder treatment for her teenage daughter with anorexia. After exploring local options, she shares, her family ultimately traveled to pursue care at Veritas Collaborative. Most helpful to Aronson’s experience at Veritas were parent programming and weekend sessions, which affirmed that her daughter’s eating disorder was not her fault. She then offers insight on prioritizing treatment above a child’s other commitments, as well as providing support outside of treatment by refusing to let the eating disorder rule.

Reflecting on her daughter’s treatment and recovery, Aronson reflects on the importance of self-care and attending to her own needs—something she wishes she had done more. She describes what gradual healing looked like for her daughter, including the signs she knew her daughter was getting better. In a particularly touching moment, Aronson recalls her daughter sharing that she has days where she doesn’t think once about her eating disorder, a reality they never imagined was possible. To close, Aronson graciously shares words of wisdom for other parents supporting a child with one of these illnesses.

A table set for Thanksgiving decorated with pumpkins, leaves, and pinecones

How to Help Patients Navigate the Holiday Season in Recovery

Written by Mary Kate Tschida on October 31, 2023. Posted in Blog.

With the abundance of food, shared mealtimes, and large social gatherings, the holiday season can be immensely difficult for anyone living with or recovering from an eating disorder. Even as we shift into a more “normal” routine after pandemic-related disruptions, we continue to witness the impact of the last few years on people with eating disorders.

According to Hilmar Wagner, MPH, RDN, LN, CD, there are four key aspects of successfully navigating the holiday season while in eating disorder recovery. His method for a successful holiday is called P.R.E.P., which you can use in your work with your patients to support them this holiday season and beyond.

Staff Spotlight, Christina Toliver

Written by Mary Kate Tschida on October 30, 2023. Posted in Blog.

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Christina Toliver (she/her), and I am a Phone Intake Therapist for Accanto Health, the parent company of Veritas Collaborative and The Emily Program. I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate in North Carolina. I have been with Accanto for seven years!

What does a typical day look like for you at Accanto Health?

A typical day for me consists of assessing the level of care and clinical appropriateness for patients at our sites. I work with patients of all ages, their communities of support, and referring providers to ensure a seamless and swift transition into our care.

The Power of Group Therapy in PHP/IOP Treatment

Written by Mary Kate Tschida on October 25, 2023. Posted in Blog.

Living with an eating disorder is often an isolating experience. The constant battle with intrusive thoughts, maladaptive behaviors, and overwhelming emotions can make people feel trapped within their own minds, detached from the world around them.

The path to healing lies in reaching out and nurturing meaningful connections with others. At Veritas, we use a multidisciplinary approach, combining the expertise of professionals from various fields to address the physical, psychological, and emotional aspects of the disorder. In addition to individual sessions with medical providers, dietitians, psychiatric providers, and therapists, group therapy is a pillar of our treatment. It is incorporated across our continuum of care levels, including our partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) programs.

Read on to learn the power of group therapy in Veritas Collaborative’s PHP and IOP programs.

Misery Loves Company

Written by Mary Kate Tschida on October 18, 2023. Posted in Blog.

**Content warning: This is one person’s story; everyone will have unique experiences in recovery and beyond. Some stories may mention eating disorder thoughts, behaviors, and symptoms. Please use your discretion when reading and speak with your support system as needed.

Natalie Colehower (she/her) is a 23-year-old Auburn University graduate currently living in Atlanta, Georgia. After her experience at Veritas Collaborative’s Eating Disorder Treatment Center in Atlanta, she has a calling to share her story and encourage those struggling that they are worthy just as they are!

Examining Your Relationship With Food

Have you ever considered your relationship with food? Is it positive, negative, a combination of both, or neutral? You could be rolling your eyes reading this and say, “Natalie I don’t think about food, I just eat what I want when I want and it’s not a ‘relationship,’ it’s food!”

That’s great! That is what I would call a positive relationship with food because it is joyful, and not bogged down by the food rules of society. That is where I strive to be one day.

I’m speaking to those of us who see food in not such a joyful light. Like a bad relationship, maybe your mind uses food to gaslight you, guilt you, scare you, or shame you. Maybe the strict food rules that have been drilled into you since childhood have slowly become rules that you live by—believing them to be the key to a “healthy” diet. This is the experience that I’ve had, but since I cannot speak for you, that’s where we will start.

Sports & Eating Disorders: The Hidden Dangers in Competitive Environments

Written by Mary Kate Tschida on October 12, 2023. Posted in Blog.

Sports can have an incredibly positive effect on people’s lives, promoting social connection, self-confidence, and skills in teamwork and leadership. However, athletes also grapple with unique challenges, particularly when it comes to their relationship with food and their bodies. Research has shown that participation in sports can trigger or exacerbate eating disorders in those who are susceptible.

Read on to learn why athletes are at special risk of developing eating disorders, the signs to watch out for, and how these disorders can affect athletic performance.

Episode 86: Attachment Styles and Eating Disorders with Kathryn Garland and Vanessa Scaringi

Written by Mary Kate Tschida on September 11, 2023. Posted in Blog, Peace Meal Podcast.

Episode description:

Kathryn Garland and Vanessa Scaringi join Peace Meal to discuss the connection between attachment styles and the development and maintenance of eating disorders. They first provide an overview of attachment theory, exploring how this framework can help us better understand the impact of early attachment experiences on our relationships with food and ourselves. Insecure attachment styles, they explain, are associated with eating disorders and can manifest in disordered behaviors and thoughts. Kathryn and Vanessa share how therapists can help patients address attachment-related issues and nurture secure connections with family and friends that support recovery.

Kathryn and Vanessa also dive into the impact of the pandemic on our ability to connect with others, which in turn has played a role in exacerbating disordered eating behaviors. In addition, they explain how a relational approach to eating disorder care can complement other treatment modalities, including cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). They end the episode by stressing the importance of connection to good mental health and encouraging those in recovery to take the time they need to nurture their relationships, both with others and themselves.

Always Striving for Better: Advocating for Expanded Access to Eating Disorder Treatment

Written by Mary Kate Tschida on July 31, 2023. Posted in Blog.

Elouise Cram, LCSW, is a therapist at Veritas Collaborative’s Eating Disorder Treatment Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. She obtained her MSW from the University of South Carolina in 2020. She was thrilled to join the Veritas Collaborative team in 2022 after working at an eating disorder treatment center in the Midwest. She appreciates bringing the values of curiosity, willingness, and collaboration into her therapeutic approach with adults and adolescents in the Charlotte program. When not at work, she can most likely be found listening to Maggie Rogers or cuddling with her poodle, Poppy.

Every clinician is familiar with the exciting, empowering, occasionally frustrating “rubber hits the road” moments we see in early and sustained eating disorder recovery. We hold space for, push for, and model not just wanting recovery but actively moving toward recovery every day. We are holding space for the people we work with to not just “talk the talk” of recovery, but also “walk the walk” of a recovery-oriented life. When I am struggling to hold both (for myself and for others) of talking and walking at the same time, I’m reminded of a principle of dialectical behavior therapy: individuals are doing the best they can and individuals can always do better.

Staff Spotlight, Elaina Williams

Written by Mary Kate Tschida on July 25, 2023. Posted in Blog.

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Elaina Williams (she/her), and I have been a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Veritas Collaborative’s Child and Adolescent Treatment Center in Durham, NC, for over six years.

What does a typical day look like for you at Veritas Collaborative?

I get to come to work to see my patients for medical visits each day. The more acute patients (meaning more medically unstable) within inpatient care are seen by me or my team daily. I see the patients within lower levels of care weekly and as needed for medical complaints (like ear pain, rashes, throat discomfort, etc.). I usually chat with the patients for a little while about medical concerns, as well as what they are struggling with during treatment (I love chatting!). After we chat, I do an exam and enter any appropriate medical orders. I also get to collaborate with other team members in setting goals and individualizing care so that we can together help patients heal and move toward discharge from treatment!

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Author: Mary Kate Tschida

Tell us about yourself!

Tell us about yourself!

Tell us about yourself!

What does a typical day look like for you at Veritas Collaborative?

Tell us about yourself!

What does a typical day look like for you at Accanto Health?

Examining Your Relationship With Food

Tell us about yourself!

What does a typical day look like for you at Veritas Collaborative?