There are four tracks at Casa Palmera: Chemical dependency, Mental Health, Trauma, and Eating Disorder. Total of around 35 patients, I think. Program is designed around a stay of 30 days, but insurance is fickle. If residential benefits run out, the way they get around that is PHP+boarding fee. If you are from out of town or don’t have the financial means, they will waive your boarding fee. I was there for a total of 7 weeks (this is rare), and for the two of those weeks that I was in PHP, my fee was waived. A lot of patients were in just one track (lots of primary CD people), but a lot were also in 2 or 3 tracks. At least one patient there with me was in all four. Each patient’s schedule is completely individualized, which a lot of programs say, but their one actually does.

Although I was at Casa Palmera this past summer for their Mental Health and Substance Abuse programs, but I am in recovery from an eating disorder so I was flagged for the staff kept an eye out for ED symptoms as well. Standard procedure — behavior swapping is really common in the recovery process. So although I wasn’t in most of the ED groups, I can give some perspective to the program.

MOST IMPORTANTLY: If you are considering Casa, PLEASE make sure to ask assertively whether they can meet your needs. Two ways:
1) It is not a primary ED program. I would not recommend someone come to Casa just for their eating disorder, and definitely not if they aren’t medically stable and can’t remain meidcally stable. If someone has an eating disorder, it is addressed as a part of a patient’s larger issues, and the way the intermingle. So, as the other reviewer mentioned, it is a looser program (although they do offer desserts now 3 times a week, still optional though). You do have to be very committed, and very honest with yourself and with staff (some of who won’t understand or know what to look for). I think in that sense, if you are in the right mental place, it can be empowering, having more autonomy. And getting to address all the underlying issues, and maladaptive coping methods across the board, not just ED ones. But be honest with yourself. It’s not going to be the right program for a lot of people, but for those whose needs are in line, it is amazing.

2) Part of the way through my stay (August 2016) the ED Program Director left, and the ED treatment program basically disappeared with her. The dietician was still there, but no specialized ED therapists. Ask, have they gotten a new program director since the ED manager left in August 2016? Can you speak directly with the ED therapist to have them outline the current program? Unfortunately, the admissions people aren’t very in tune with the specialized needs of people with EDs. One of the most horrifying things I’ve ever seen in treatment happened while I was there — the admissions staff didn’t tell a girl flying across the country to go to Casa that the ED director had left a couple weeks before. She showed up to find no ED program, and staff who had no idea what they were supposed to be doing. Honestly, a lot of the general staff on the unit aren’t as well (techs and nurses).

More general notes:
– Most of the people on the ED track have at least one other primary reason they are there.
– The number of people sitting at the supervised table ranged from 0 to 4. At this table you are plated. And there was usually a couple people eating with everyone else rather than at the “special” table. Before leaving you will have left the supervised table and be eating with everyone else. You may or may not still be plated.
– Meal supplements are based on percentage eaten.
– Supplements for weight gain are taken at snack.
– Gatorade can be doctor ordered, and is PRN.
– Generally, your bathroom will be locked. Sometimes staff forgets. You need to be able to advocate for yourself.
– After meals, you will be observed for half an hour.
– Snacks are not supervised
– Some of the groups are ED-specific, and are only with other patients in the ED program. Many aren’t. This meant a lot less of the competition you’ll find in most eating disorder programs, so you get to be immersed in a recovery-focused community that is a much better model for normal eating. It also meant that a lot of people just don’t understand the first thing about an eating disorder (although they are still very compassionate). Expect many more triggers than at other programs — people just don’t know any better.
– It is a 12 step program
– It is a program based in group therapy — individual therapy is only once a week, as well as psychiatrist, dietician. Individual discharge planning sessions. Other types of individual sessions as needed.
– Groups: process group every day except Sunday, community meeting, morning walk (if you are cleared), CBT, ACT, intro to DBT, 12 step (if appropriate), bio-neuro feedback (this one is AWESOME!), accupuncture, massage, yoga (if cleared), gym (if cleared), lots of outings, trauma, meditation, nutrition, co-dependency/boundaries, anger management, family sculpture, therapeutic activities, medication management, spirituality, gender-specific process group, connecting thoughts and emotions, offsite AA meetings, discharge planning, ED and CD education, relapse prevention, music therapy.
– Every 3 weeks, there is a 3 day family program.
– There is a koi pond!
– For those who smoke, cig breaks a few times a day, 6-7 times a day, only one cig per break.
– LOTS of room searches, lol.

Overall, there were so many things that pissed me of about Casa while I was there, and I had to advocate for myself A LOT. Within a month of discharge, I forgot what almost all of those things were, all I knew was that my life was forever changed for the better, and I am forever greatful. Amazing program for me.

Feel free to ask me questions!

What food do they serve like what are some bfast, lunch, dinner meals? and snack ideas?

Are you busy there all day?

And whats the weight gain process like with food or what?

THANK YOU!

Does anyone else have any feedback who have been here recently??