New program for kids and teens with eating disorders at Rogers Behavioral Health

Posted on 06/21/17 04:55:pm

(Eden Prairie, Minn.) – Children and adolescents who develop eating disorders are now able to access specialized outpatient care from Rogers Behavioral Health at its Eden Prairie location.

For children age 8 to 18, the Eating Disorder partial hospital program brings an in-depth approach using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with an emphasis on exposure and response prevention (ERP) and parent involvement. Children and teens in the program learn to better understand and manage thoughts, physical sensations and behaviors. The therapy also helps them confront their fears regarding food and gain a healthier response to these challenges on their path to recovery.

Julie Lesser, MD, a board-certified child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist, joined Rogers Behavioral Health in January 2017 as the program physician. She has more than 10 years of experience in the treatment of eating disorders among children and adolescents, most recently at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. Dr. Lesser will collaborate with a team including a psychologist, behavioral specialist, nurse, dietitian, therapist, and experiential therapist as they guide patients through the treatment process.

“Eating disorders may present in different forms – anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating, or avoidant or restrictive food intake disorder,” says Dr. Lesser. “For each disorder, we focus on a combination of therapies that have a shared goal to build resilience toward recovery. Rogers is recognized for its evidence-based approach to care, which gives us a solid foundation for this new program.”

Partial hospital programs are a level of advanced day treatment lasting six hours a day, five days a week, often for four to six weeks. Treatment sessions include individual and group therapy with meal support. Family involvement is another key component.

“We emphasize collaboration and view parents as a resource for recovery,” says Dr. Lesser.

The new Eating Disorders program is an extension of comprehensive Eating Disorder Services at Rogers, including dedicated inpatient care and residential programming at the Eating Disorder Center in Wisconsin and specialized outpatient services across the country.

Rogers Behavioral Health–Minneapolis also provides treatment for children, teens and adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders; and, for adults only, care for depression and other mood disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Insurance is accepted. For a free confidential screening, call 1-844-599-8959.