‘They gave me the courage to continue’: Former Appleton patient shares how Rogers helped her find strength

08/08/24 12:00:pm

Cassandra Hautala, former Eating Disorder Recovery patient, recently sent us this message of gratitude:

“When I made the decision to seek help for my eating disorder, I had no idea the journey that I was embarking on. I thought I would go to PHP for a few weeks and then be fine. Instead, I came to understand how much of my past had been shaped by anorexia. It was like peeling an onion. Being admitted to Rogers was the beginning of a journey that continues today. They gave me the courage to continue. Today, I am medically stable and continuing to practice using the skills that I learned at Rogers to battle this illness. I can work part time again, I am finally able to participate in activities that are important to me, and my family can relax and not spend all their time worried. I feel stronger than my eating disorder for the first time in over 30 years. And I know that if I should ever slip, I have a place to go to regain my footing.”

Courtney Klapa was Cassandra’s therapist.

“I’m so grateful to Cassandra for reaching out and sharing with us her feelings about her time spent at the PHP level of care. To know that Casey’s commitment to do the work at the PHP level helped springboard her way into a place of recovery truly makes my heart smile. Being able to see that Casey made the active choice to work through the eating disorder’s belief system and behaviors in order to build a life that she values outside of the eating disorder is so wonderful. Casey is worthy of living a life that is no longer dictated by the eating disorder’s list of rules, and I am beyond excited she knows that. She is absolutely right: if she ever does slip and needs a safe place to land, we will be here for her.”
Courtney Klapa, therapist

Do you know a patient who had a positive experience?

If you know a patient who had a positive experience with Rogers and would like to share it, please direct them to the Share Your Rogers Experience form on our website. Additionally, if they want to participate in advocacy, they can fill out our Advocacy form. A member of the Marketing team will reach out to explore ways of sharing their story and connect them with the treatment team for advocacy opportunities. Please note Rogers’ policies state a patient must be at least 18 years of age and be out of treatment for at least six months.