The Center (A Place of Hope) is a treatment program located in Washington. In addition to eating disorders, they also treat depression, trauma, OCD, anxiety, and addiction.
Any reviews? Please post! You can check out the FAQ and Guidelines for suggested questions. Thank you!
i might be going here, what sort of programs do they have for adults?
Has anyone been here recently? Desperate for treatment!
Hi! Have you found anything out? I’m having really hard time finding a residential for ED and trauma/PTSD in a house not lodge type. Every time I think I found a good one, the reviews say RUN! I need HELP! PLEASE!
Hi, I’ve settled for Montenido little Nido, they have bad reviews but also good ones and are educated on HAES. I’ve given up my search and come to terms that there’s probably gonna be some bad at all the places. We can always leave if things aren’t right and let our insurance know about our concerns.
Hi Penelope – congrats on choosing a place; your rationale makes sense, and is the along the lines of what I was thinking, too! Have you been in touch with MN for an intake? Curious to know what their wait list is like for that specific location.
Most centers do not treat ED and trauma at the same time. Typically, your ED is treated and trauma symptoms are stabilized through DBT and coping skills. Most programs don’t view a person with an active ED as ready to do trauma processing.
River Oaks has a trauma IP that offers meal support, but you need to not need full ED services to participate. It’s inpatient, not residential, and focuses primarily on trauma rather than ED.
A lot of times people get treatment for ED, then do trauma work outpatient or in a trauma program later as trauma-only programs don’t accept people with active EDs. Rogers has a residential trauma program, many places do, but you need to be in ED recovery first.
I had struggled with my eating disorder since I was 15 years old. I am now 36 years old and finally admitting I needed help. I came to the Center of Hope not expecting to grow as a person and that I would just always continue to struggle with anorexia and bulimia forever. After attending the program here at the center for 4 weeks, I can truly say for the first time in 16 years and my life that I actually love myself and who I am as a person. They have helped me get so may skills to learn to cope with my past, my anxiety, depression, anorexia, bulimia, and my complex trauma. Without the Center for Hope I would still not have the will to continue living. They have now showed me that there is a life worth living for and I am worthy and have the deserve to defeat all my issues. For them I thank you, because with out the Center I would not have been here in three months because I was using my eating disorder to shut my body down. Now I am walking out of the front doors of the Center and knowing I am me and I am loved and I am most important Worthy.
Very good experience. I could tell everyone genuinely cared about me, and that made me trust them more. Loved the cooking class and how it helped me grow in a group setting
Great, **** and DR **** did a great job helping me find meds and right dosages to suit my conditions and best help me
*names redacted by admin per site policy
Wow, several reviews right in a row that are glowing. Interesting.
Haha I was thinking the same thing… And they are each only 2-3 sentences, and follow the same paragraph structure…? It’s not suspicious at ALL. ?
Agreed! You’d think their social media manager would be a little less obvious. “Virtually unknown treatment center in Washington suddenly gets multiple rave reviews with virtually no information.” Isn’t that PR 101? Don’t attract too much attention?
I can’t stop laughing. And we literally just got another one! They all have different IP addresses, and usually the only times we don’t approve new reviews is if multiple reviews for the same site are coming from the same IP address, or coming within a few minutes of each other, or if there is blatant backend evidence it is the same person. So for the moment I will continue to allow them (I will reevaluate in a couple weeks), but will simultaneously make sure by my posting here that readers/people seeking treatment should take them with a LOT of salt. (Plus, can’t hurt to have more electrolytes ?)
Hi Rachel, they are genuine. They asked us to share our experience on rating sites, but they didnt say it had to be positive. They asked for our feedback so they could learn and grow. They are a legit and good ED rehab.
Hi Simon! Thanks for sharing this info. I will explain to you why this influx of reviews raised red flags, so that you see where I am coming from:
EDTR is different than traditional review sites. This is a site solely dedicated to reviews of eating disorder treatment, run by people who have been through treatment themselves and now want to help others. It was created 12 years ago by a wonderful woman named Faith, who had been through a lot of different centers and realized there was no way to figure out ahead of admission, from someone who had actually already been there, what a treatment center was actually like and whether it would be right for you. And no recovery-positive location to share your past/current treatment experiences with others who are looking for treatment. We have no advertising, no sponsors. Our tech support and copy editor do all of their work for us for free, because they care so much about the mission. Aside from that, the cost of running the site is paid for out of the pockets of admins, their own support systems (shout out to my parents!), and occasional donations. There is no treatment center or big company behind the screen, just us. We do this because it is our passion. Because this is the site that we wish we could have had. And that now we all do!
Because of how unique and singular this treatment review community is (so different than a Yelp or Google Maps, etc), we ask visitors to read the guidelines and suggestions for how to write a review that you find at the top of the page, to understand this context and how we maintain the helpfulness, safety and integrity of this site for all of us.
So here for our purposes, when people post reviews, the only way for them to be very useful to anybody is if they write more than just a couple generic sentences. Such short reviews are not very helpful to prospective patients who are trying to find out what a center is actually like, especially when they also violate site guidelines by including staff names and such, so EDTR has to redact the names leaving the review to make little sense. Given all of the above, you can imagine why all of the recent posts here raised red flags.
You can see our guidelines here:
https://edtreatmentreview.com/faq-and-guidelines/
And how to write a review here:
https://edtreatmentreview.com/how-to-write-a-review/
All that being said, please we would love for some full reviews to be posted here about the Center! Can you write one? We have a list of suggested questions that most people find helpful to answer both in writing a review and reading one. They are posted at the “How to write a review” page, but I’ll also paste them below. Thank you!
Ideas of things to answer:
When were you there?
How many patients are there on average?
Does it treat both males and females? If so, is treatment separate or combined?
How often do you see a medical doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist (therapist), nutritionist, etc?
What is the staff-to-patient ratio?
What sort of therapies are used (e.g., DBT, CBT, EMDR, etc.)?
Describe the average day:
What were meals like?
What sorts of food were available or served?
Did they supplement? How did that system work?
What is the policy of not complying with meals?
Are you able to eat vegetarian?
What privileges are allowed?
Does it work on a level system?
How do you earn privileges?
What sort of groups do they have?
What was your favorite group?
What did you like the most?
What did you like the least?
Would you recommend this program?
What level of activity or exercise was allowed?
What did people do on weekends?
Do you get to know your weight?
How fast is the weight gain process?
What was the average length of stay?
What was the average age range?
How do visits/phone calls work?
What is the electronics policy (e.g., cell phones, iPods, Kindles, laptops, tablets)?
Are you able to go out on passes?
What kind of aftercare do they provide? Do they help you set up an outpatient treatment team?
Are there any resources for people who come from out of state/country?
If applicable: Do they support the gender identities of transgender and nonbinary people?
Other?
Simon, it would be amazing if someone would take the time to actually write what treatment at The Center is like. Having details about what, specifically, happens there, that people have found useful (or not) so others could make a decision for themselves, would be great. That is why Rachel has shared the questions that people use to guide reviews. It’s good to know that the positive reviews are real but it would be better to have useful positive reviews. Just hearing that a place is “great” doesn’t offer enough for a prospective client to actually make a choice, which is the purpose of this site.
Hi Rachel,
I tried my best to answer your questions:
Ideas of things to answer:
When were you there? two months ago
How many patients are there on average? 40
Does it treat both males and females? If so, is treatment separate or combined? yes. combined sometimes, seperate others
How often do you see a medical doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist (therapist), nutritionist, etc? all about twice a week, an hour each time. they have dietician, med doctor, psychiatrist and 2 naturopathic doctors
What is the staff-to-patient ratio? not sure but it’s good
What sort of therapies are used (e.g., DBT, CBT, EMDR, etc.)? life span integration
What were meals like? tasty! designed by a dietician. i learned to eat healthier and enjoy eating now
What is the policy of not complying with meals? a one on one session.
Are you able to eat vegetarian? yes
Does it work on a level system? no
How do you earn privileges? didnt use
What sort of groups do they have? DBT, emotional abuse, depression, ED
Other? I don’t know where I would be had I not gone to The Center when I did. I had struggled with anorexia since I was twelve, and I was losing the battle by the time I got to 25. I instantly loved their approach of providing nutritional education, which helped me understand what my body was going through due to my eating habits. They also provided constant emotional support without judgment, and the entire team was more than willing to help and very friendly. I also loved that they offered options for vegans such as myself.
I also like that the team was there to assist but didn’t make me feel stifled or under constant supervision. The environment was very relaxed, and I made many new friends, some of whom I’ve stayed in touch with to date. Their treatment approach was tailored specifically for each patient, and I connected instantly with the therapist to whom I was assigned. The program also addressed other issues, such as depression and anger, which seriously affected me. Since I left, I’ve been able to eat well-balanced meals without any issues, and have gained healthy weight.
This is great and super helpful, thank you Simon so much!!
I would highly recommend the center! It gave me so much hope for the future, and great coping skills for anxiety. The best thing however, is that the staff truly care about you as an individual. I would highly recommend it!
My experience here was very good. I felt that everyone genuinely cared, and that made me trust and open up to them. *** and *** did an amazing job getting to know me, helped care and nurture me and helped me grow and be able to attack my anxiety and issues and truly helped me become a healthier adult
*names redacted by admin per site policy
The Center was fabulous for my ED. ****, is AMAZING. She is so knowlegable and really helps you find out why you are feeling the way you are and how to overcome it. She also was able to identify issues I didn’t even know were there that I was able to takle with her head on. Also, Dr. **** really took the time to explain to me my medical needs and what issues I was facing. Also, **** was very helpful in helping me dial in my nutrion plan based of my medical conditions.
*names redacted by admin per site policy
I was just at the center . I have the worst experience ever. the director is one of the worst people there she will pull you down in front of all the doctors and counselor a and tell that housing is a gift . They lie to everyone about insurance only to find when you get there after 4 days the want cash in 30inutes or they will kick you to the curb . The staff through all my suitcases all over the best western . Don’t expect real food I do believe they get it from the trash fr the restaurant next store. They are really weirdo they are definatlty tree huggers . The state was the worst state it weird just like the center. Lucks and drug addicts I went for depression not to talk about drugs . They had people follow me all thAt night toake sure I went to the the whole place is run by ku koos
I’m the parent of a 16 year old boy whose ED consists of avoidant/restrictive food intake. He doesn’t purge and states no body image issues. His restrictive eating has gone on for at least 7 years, but in the last 12 months he has fallen to <75% of normal body weight and has moderate medical symptoms. I'm searching for the right ED treatment center for him.
For those who have been there, here are questions about "A Place of Hope":
1 – My son has attachment issues and/or PTSD. Did you observe any clients who might have had that, too? Did it seem their issues were being addressed?
2 – Does this Center treat boys? How many boys were there when you were there?
3 – Were there family sessions? How was were your family members incorporated into your treatment plan?
Thanks.
Castlewood takes males. Not sure if they’re under age but when I was there, they did a great job treating my PTSD
Hi Roseanne,
This may be a late response to your post but wanted to provide information about The Center if you are still needing a quality treatment facility for your son. They definitely treat men for all eating disorders. Here is a link to their male eating disorders treatment page:
https://www.aplaceofhope.com/our-programs/eating-disorders/male-eating-disorders/
Families are allowed and encouraged to participate in sessions, including scheduling family sessions.
One of the strengths of The Center, I believe, is its expertise in treating co-occurring issues. They are a licensed psychiatric and chemical addiction treatment facility, as well as being one of the leading eating disorder centers in the world. They focus on the whole-person, all of your sons life events that have contributed to his current situation, to help heal him completely…his mind, body and spirit, as The Center says. This form of treatment has proven to be the most effective, long-lasting treatment for eating disorder sufferers.
The Center was founded by Dr. Gregory Jantz, who pioneered whole-person care and who wrote the groundbreaking book “Hope, Help, and Healing for Eating Disorders” many years ago (here’s a link to the book on their website: https://www.aplaceofhope.com/product/hope-help-healing-for-eating-disorders/)
The Center does not believe in forced eating – in fact, they believe that is absolutely counter-productive. There are nutritionists, dieticians, ED counselors and trained specialists that would form a unique team assigned just to your son. His program would be tailored to address his specific needs, not a cookie-cutter program like some facilities.
If you call them, you can have a free call with an ED specialist who can answer all your questions. The number on their ED page is 1-888-771-5166.
Treatment is not easy, but my experience with The Center (I have been there on multiple occasions) is that they care, they are focused, and they are very good at returning one to a full life, healthy and happy. Again, it is not easy and you cannot streamline or jump through the process. But the results are very much worth it.
I wish you, your son and your family peace and healing. God bless.
The primary problem with the center is its management; it is an overbearing hierarchy where dissenting opinions are ignored or overruled. In my time there I saw over seven staff members leave. And since I left in July, three more have left. My primaries were changed again and again, until I was left with someone I felt absolutely no connection with. Whenever I began to trust a counselor they were quickly pulled from my team. Whilst they addressed the eating disorder behaviors they never dealt with the underlying roots. Instead their psychiatrist had me so drugged on antipsychotic meds (although I was never diagnosed with any psychotic symptoms) that I was completely out of touch with my emotions. After coming off the medications two months ago, I am still dealing with a slew of side effects. Instead of hearing my voice, my team would deny that my feelings even mattered, when I spoke of my childhood trauma, they said my parents were the best they had ever seen. They told me that the eating disorder was my fault, and that I should feel guilty for the effect it had on others. Even when family specifically asked them not to, they read letters from my parents about the effect of my eating disorder in a group entirely separate from ED homeroom. Not only did they completely disregard my family’s wishes but they removed every positive note from the letters before reading them. I do not think I would ever recommend this program to someone suffering from an eating disorder, perhaps if the supervisor is replaced, but until then I have little if any faith in such an establishment. It is a mismanaged, draconian institution which forbids any counselor from violating its group think. Two of the counselors who were on my team have left the center, as well as the doctor who had a medical disagreement with the staff and was escorted out by police.
Although some people seem to benefit from the center, and many of the counselors are empathetic and caring, it is a broken system, and I do not think it is worth the money, the time or the pain. So if you are looking for eating disorder treatment, I would look somewhere else.
Posted by someone who would like to remain Anonymous:
I had a similar experience. They also sell you on all this naturopathic type of stuff, which I’m not against, but the AMOUNT of supplements they make you buy is ridiculous and disgusting “gag” drinking cod liver oil. On top of that their groups and such were not well constructed, you used to bring your own food so they don’t really watch exchanges or what not, though this may have changed. It was also quite easy to use behaviors, so if you need extra support, especially after meals, definitely look elsewhere. Washington doesn’t have a lot, but I do know the Emily Program has at least started IOP which would probaby be a better bet.
I’m looking at the ERC in Denver or Laureate in Tulas any thoughts or advice there?
I called A Place For Hope for help after reading the founder’s book. I am very surprised to what I found out. First of all they basically made me sell myself to get into their program, they tried giving me an admittance date without going over my insurance information. Once I asked for it they told me it was x # of $ for 30 days. I was confused so I asked her if their program was only a 30 day program, she said 4-6 weeks tops. & in that time they thought they could get me to my goal weight & ill be recovered. Well I’m sorry but you can’t just slap some weight on someone & expect them to be “recovered.” They told me all this information after they tried getting me to book a plane ticket. If ED’s were that easy to “fix” I would’ve been “recovered” a long time ago. Excuse my sarcasm but I could believe this place!! It felt like a set up for failure. For chemical dependency & if your desperate for somewhere to take you this place will, other than that I don’t recommend it.
Does anyone have a review for A Place for Hope or as they call it The Center? I’m looking into their program and would appreciate any and all feedback
They are not that great of a place to go. They are understaffed and have too big of groups or they combine groups. The groups most of the time start 10-20 minutes late meaning a 45 minute session turns into 10 minutes of talking about how late we were and that leaves 15 minutes of actual time spent on the subject. The staff turnover is almost as often as the client. In 7 weeks 5 staff members left. Also, they have kicked clients out based on assumptions rather than facts. They always assume the worst case scenario is the truth. Councilors are not supposed to sway your decisions in life, they are supposed to show you the options and let you decide. This is not the case here. Their Christian beliefs weigh on how they counsel.