“Weekends are an opportunity for patients to implement the tools and skills they’ve learned throughout an intensely structured week, and then process those experiences the following week,” says Allison Lansky, EdS, LMFT, CEDS, NCC, Lead Senior Primary Therapist. “On weekends, patients have more choices and can practice independence in selecting therapeutic groups, connecting with others, and participating in off-site outings.”
In addition to psychiatrist-led groups, several different types of structured groups are available on weekends:
- Nurse-led health promotion groups help patients understand the impact of eating disorders on their bodies from a more medical perspective. “We cover topics like the mind/body connection and the body’s attempts to maintain homeostasis,” says psychiatric mental health nurse Lisa Sabo, RN-BC, BSN, who helped develop the series. “It’s a different way of looking at how eating disorders affect the whole person.”
- Therapeutic and skills-based groups with mental health associates range from coping skills and team building to recreation therapy.
- Multifamily groups enable families to share their experiences and learn from each other. Patients ages 18 and older can attend one of these groups with their loved ones.
Additional weekend options include:
- Pre-planned weekend passes with family members or loved ones for eligible patients, as determined by the treatment team based on care level status and medical assessment.
- Extended visiting hours to spend time with family and loved ones. This is particularly helpful for families who live far away and are unable to visit during the week.
- The opportunity for pediatric patients and families to practice an unsupervised family meal in a special onsite dining room once they have successfully completed a supervised family meal, based on a family-based treatment informed protocol.
- Group walks to enjoy nature and practice mindfulness.
- Non-denominational worship services facilitated by a chaplain.
"Weekends are carefully planned to be both restorative and therapeutic, and each patient experiences them differently,” adds Lansky. “With the support of the care team and family members in processing those experiences, patients can reinforce the skills they need for sustained recovery and as they progress in their next level of care.”