Leading Eating Disorder Treatment Center – Oak House at The Refuge

Inclusive eating disorder treatment for adults 

Oak House at The Refuge is an eating disorder treatment center that serves adults age 18 and older who are struggling with a wide range of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and orthorexia. Additionally, we help clients who are suffering from body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), understanding its influence and impact on eating disorders.  

The Refuge is an open, diverse, and inclusive treatment provider. We are proud to serve transgender, cisgender, and gender-nonconforming individuals, as well as all members of the LGBTQIA community. 

We are also able to support individuals who may not be accepted to other eating disorder treatment centers. We offer specialized services for clients who: 

• Are pregnant 
• Require complex medical detoxification 
• Follow kosher and other special diets 
• Are experiencing the symptoms of certain co-occurring disorders 

How eating disorders may present 

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of eating disorders is crucial for understanding and addressing them. Common indicators include:  

• Restrictive eating patterns: Severe calorie restriction, avoidance of certain food groups, or strict dietary rules 
• Binge eating: Consuming large amounts of food in a short period, often feeling out of control 
• Purging behaviors: Self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives or diuretics, and excessive exercise to compensate for eating 
• Distorted body image: Persistent dissatisfaction with one’s body shape or size 
• Obsessive food and weight control: Constant preoccupation with food, calories, or body weight 
• Physical symptoms: Dizziness, fatigue, fainting, gastrointestinal issues, and dental problems 

If you or someone you know is showing any of these signs or experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to seek professional support.  

Eating disorders by the numbers 

The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) reveals the following statistics on eating disorders: 

• Prevalence: Approximately 9% of the U.S. population will develop an eating disorder at some point in their life.  
• Deaths: More than 10,000 people die each year in the United States due to eating disorders. This equates to one death every 52 minutes.  
• Global impact: Each year, eating disorders kill more than 3 million people globally.  

These statistics highlight the severe and potentially life-threatening consequences of eating disorders if left untreated.  

The impact of eating disorders and the importance of professional help 

Untreated eating disorders can have a devastating impact on all areas of your life. In addition to posing a serious threat to your physical health, eating disorders can impede your academic progress, derail your career, and otherwise undermine your ability to live a productive and satisfying life. 

When you are struggling with an eating disorder, you may distance yourself from friends and family members, intensifying feelings of hopelessness and loneliness.  

Eating disorders may also put you at increased risk for certain co-occurring disorders, which can compound your suffering and further complicate your ability to regain your health. Without proper care, this can put you in a downward spiral, one that may feel impossible to escape. 

But it doesn’t have to be this way. When you receive comprehensive, personalized care at an effective eating disorder treatment center, your life can get much better. At The Refuge, we can provide you with the focused treatment you need to address all the factors that have contributed to your struggles with an eating disorder. With our help, you can regain control of your thoughts and actions and resume your pursuit of a promising future. 

Types of eating disorder therapies offered at The Refuge, A Healing Place 

At our Florida campus, we offer a wide range of options for clients who are struggling with eating disorders. When you’re admitted to our residential treatment center, you will complete a number of assessments to make sure that our treatment team understands how best to treat you. Our medical examination can help us determine if you are struggling with medical complications, while our psychiatric evaluation will allow us to diagnose any co-occurring disorders. 

Your eating disorder treatment team will take the results of these assessments and work with you and your loved ones to create a plan of care for your stay with us. 

Medication may be used at the beginning of your stay if it can help ease certain symptoms. The type of medication you are prescribed and the amount of time you continue to receive it are based solely on what’s best for you. Throughout your stay, your care team will monitor you and modify your medication as needed. 

Individual therapy can help you address personal concerns related to your struggles with an eating disorder and identify links between the eating disorder and any co-occurring disorders. Our therapists use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which addresses errors or distortions in thinking. CBT can help you replace maladaptive thoughts with healthier ways of evaluating and responding to your environment. 

Group therapy is a common type of therapy for individuals who are healing from eating disorders at The Refuge. Among its many benefits, group therapy can help you form productive relationships with others who are receiving care for eating disorders, learn to work together to solve problems, and develop healthy ways to process difficult emotions. While you are in treatment for an eating disorder at The Refuge, you may take part in several types of group therapy. For example, process groups cover topics related to a common theme or co-occurring problems, such as trauma, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation. Our skills-based groups focus on topics like developing new coping strategies, reentering social situations, avoiding risks for triggering eating disorder relapse, and identifying strategies for dealing with co-occurring conditions. 

Family therapy is an important aspect of eating disorder treatment at our center. We understand that your struggles with an eating disorder may have impacted your family and friends. We also appreciate the important role your loved ones can play in the healing process. During family sessions, you will have the opportunity to discuss the eating disorder you’re suffering from, your treatment, and the progress you’ve made. Your loved ones will also have the chance to discuss ways in which the eating disorder has affected their lives. They can learn how best to support you during and after your eating disorder treatment. 

At our treatment center, we incorporate a variety of evidence-based methods designed to complement traditional therapies. Based on need and availability, these therapeutic methods may include the following: 

• Detoxification 
• 24/7 nursing support 
• Cognitive behavioral therapy 
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) 
• Exposure outings 
• Supportive meals and meal preparation 
• Group shopping trips 
• Nutritional counseling and education 
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) 
• 12-Step education and support 
• Therapeutic massage and yoga 
• Art therapy 

Continuing care and levels of treatment for eating disorders at The Refuge, A Healing Place

Choosing The Refuge in Ocklawaha, Florida, means receiving comprehensive support each day of the week. Our expert team, which includes licensed clinicians, a staff physician, a psychiatrist, and a registered dietitian, provides compassionate, holistic care through: 

• Client-centered approach: We will create a personalized treatment plan to meet your specific requirements. Throughout your stay, we will continuously monitor your progress and reevaluate your needs.  
• Education: We provide detailed information about eating disorders, treatment options, and wellness strategies so that you can make informed decisions about your health. 
• Empowerment: Our team will encourage and support you, helping you take an active role in your healing journey.  
• Peer support: By fostering a supportive community environment, we will encourage you to connect with others who are experiencing similar challenges, providing mutual support and understanding. 
• Nutritional guidance: Our registered dietitian can offer expert advice on nutrition to help you develop a balanced and healthy relationship with food. 
• Continuous support: We will begin discharge planning at the time of your admission and carefully document your progress throughout your stay. Once you’ve completed treatment, you’ll receive your detailed discharge plan, which may include a referral to a step-down program or traditional outpatient therapy, connections with community-based services, and information about all other relevant sources of support. 

From the day you arrive at our campus until long after you have returned home, our goal is to help you gain the skills and tools necessary to break free from the grip of eating disorders and live a healthier, happier life.