The Meadowglade is a new residential treatment center located in Moorpark, California, outside of Los Angeles. They opened in 2019 and are a mental health and eating disorder treatment center for adults, with a primary focus on mental health. In addition to residential, they also offer PHP, outpatient, and transitional living housing.
Any reviews, information, or updates? Please post in comments below. You can check out the FAQ and Guidelines for suggested questions. Thank you!
Does anyone have a recent review?
any recent reviews 2022-23 perhaps?
I’ve dealt with disordered eating since age eight, but was admitted to the Meadowglade for anxiety, depression, and PTSD. This is a x-posted review. The Meadowglade is very structured at the RTC level, very good for folks who are actively having flashbacks and panic attacks, and need psych-ward level safety but prefer a more homelike environment. Full inventory of everything you bring. Strict contraband rules (i.e., butter knives and charging cords are kept under lock and key, shaving must be monitored). Tech blackout period for the first 72 hours. Must shower and launder all clothing upon arrival. Only ten articles of each type of clothing (i.e., 10 shirts, 10 shorts). Wake up call at 7:30 AM. Six 45-minute groups a day led by therapists, on the hour with a 15 minute break. The groups go through a 12-week curriculum, which you will complete in its entirety as you start at RTC and step down to PHP and IOP. Heavy emphasis on psychoeducation. Handouts everyday. Individual, family, EMDR, and nutrition therapy available, plus case management. One leisure hour per day. Lunch at noon. Dinner at five. Mental health workers lead activities from 6-8pm. Tech access 8-10pm and during the leisure hour. Six clients, everyone has a roommate. Only one television in a group room. Con is lack of diversity in the clinical team. If your trauma is related to race and class issues, keep looking. If you find a lot of meaning and truth in religion and spirituality, also maybe keep looking. Good support for LGBTQIA folks, however if you identify as a straight male, the straight identifying male counselor is so-so. Otherwise, you will find a lot of help here.
In terms of the nutritionist via zoom, her advise to me was to put down my food/fork in between bites and to leave at least one bite of food on my plate. To the folks who tended to under-eat it was the opposite advise, to eat one additional bite after you felt full.
There were two folks actively struggling with ED. Beyond the “buddy system” there was not much offered to these clients. One of the two had already received treatment for ED at ERC in Denver but said that her restriction and over exercising urges were reemerging as she was attempting to process trauma.
Totally agree with your review. I was there for anorexia and the “treatment” I received was laughable. And while I was there a resident even sicker than I who had no business being there was admitted and almost immediately had to be admitted to the hospital, then was discharged. I really hope they can get it together because I do think the place has potential. The staff (and curriculum) just needs a huge overhaul in order to serve ED clients. Until then they should really stop saying they treat EDs
I spent 5 weeks at Meadowglade, 3 in res and 2 in PHP. This facility has absolutely no business advertising itself as a place that treats EDs. I received virtually no treatment for my anorexia there. Any recovery I experienced while I was there was due to my own motivation. I’m truly not interested in bashing the place, I just want anyone considering going there to know what it’s like. The staff there, even the therapists have little to no training in treating EDs. There is no nutritional support aside from a weekly zoom meeting with a nutritionist. For the first month I was there there was no chef on site and I had to order and prepare all of my own meals (mostly at my own cost) because the meals provided were fast food take out that was largely inedible. The kitchen in the res unit was tiny and contained a mini fridge and a microwave only so it was challenging to say the least. While I really liked my individual therapist, she wasn’t trained in treating EDs, and while she did her best, was in way over her head. My psychiatrist, who I had to meet with once a week for med management was easily the worst clinician I have ever had the displeasure of working with. He was sexist, dismissive, knew nothing about EDs, wasn’t even on the same coast ( so much for the 24/7 access to a physician they promise) and I ultimately filed an official complaint about him and strongly urged Meadowglade to terminate their contract with him. Every client there despised him and did everything they could to avoid working with him. The therapy groups led by the clinicians on staff ranged from reading from handouts to art projects (unbelievably one day we made pinwheels with each blade colored in with what we felt was the corresponding color for a particular emotion!)
And the techs…some of them were wonderful, caring, empathic, loving. Others? Robotic, demeaning, power hungry. Medication mistakes were common. And let’s see here are a few additional things this BMI ** anorexic experienced there: being taken on a 5 mi hike during my first week (I know how long it was bc unbelievably I was allowed to keep my fitness tracker), being unable to have my blood pressure monitored bc they didn’t have a small enough cuff, having no labs drawn until my final week there, having a medication I’d taken for migraines for 20 years reduced to a non-therapeutic dosage resulting in nearly daily migraines, and oh yeah ZERO meal support, bathroom monitoring, monitoring of possible behaviors.
I could go on. The ONLY reason I found ANY kind of recovery at Meadowglade was because I decided when I got there that I had had enough of living the way I had been for decades, and decided to start eating. The only valuable thing about my time there was being away from home and being able to focus on my recovery without distractions. Additionally I made a few lifelong friends for whom I will always be grateful. But make no mistake. Meadowglade has no business promoting itself as an ED treatment facility. Happy to answer questions via email.
** number redacted by admin per site policy
I just left Meadowglade after being in Res for about 3 weeks and PHP for 2. I have LOTS of thoughts and opinions about the facility, and will post a LENGTHY review when I get home in a few days. But as I commented in a reply somewhere, DO NOT GO THERE IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR PRIMARY ED TREATMENT. I cannot stress this enough. In the meantime happy to answer questions via email. Also while I was there I advocated HEAVILY for more training about EDs for staff and therapists, and even found them a curriculum developed for facilities exactly like Meadowglade for further training and I hope they will implement it, but in the meantime only go there if you are HIGHLY MOTIVATED, MEDICALLY STABLE, and ABLE TO EAT ON YOUR OWN with little to no support.
Best to you all.
Sarah
Does anyone have a recent review?
I’ve been admitted there and will be going Monday. Had a long talk with the clinical director regarding their services and my needs and I think it’s a good fit for me. They were a little skittish about taking me bc of my low BMI but my ED is secondary to other mental health issues and addictions, and restricting is a form of “using” for me, so they, and my team here feel it will be a good fit. But as the commenter who was there mentioned, the clinical director emphasized that it is not primarily an ED-focused treatment center, although they do treat co-occurring EDs. Please look elsewhere if you need more accountability and more intensive ED-focused treatment. Thank you to the admins and all the people who use and comment on this site. It has been instrumental in my search for the right facility for me.
How’s it going there?
It’s going really well for me. I’m moving tomorrow from the acute unit into the PHP despite pushback from my insurance co bc I haven’t gained much weight in the three weeks I’ve been here, despite an incredibly high calorie high fat diet. They think my body is in a state of hyper metabolism from years of restricting. But I am super motivated and my mental health has improved SO MUCH in the time that I’ve been here, in part bc I am finally giving my body and brain the fuel it needs, and in large part due to the excellent therapists and staff here. But I must stress that this is definitely NOT the facility for anyone struggling primarily with an ED who is not EXTREMELY motivated and able to manage their own intake without much support. The staff here doesn’t have much training in EDs, it’s really primarily a facility for people struggling w mental health issues and addiction (which I also struggle with). But for me it has been perfect. I’ve been able to maintain my vegan diet, order groceries, prepare healthy nutritious meals for myself, and in the time I’ve been here celebrated 90 days of sobriety, gone to outside SMART recovery meetings, continue to get the ketamine infusions I get at home for my depression and anxiety, and made some really good friends. Additionally another client introduced me to the writing of Tabitha Farrar which has literally been life changing and has completely re-focused my view of my ED. HIGHLY RECOMMEND anyone struggling with an ED check out her books and videos on YouTube. But again, DO NOT come here unless you are highly motivated and can hold yourself accountable. It would be extremely easy to get away w behaviors here if you wanted to do so, and that’s just a waste of your one wild and precious life.
Sending love and hope to everyone
Sarah
Does anyone have any recent experience with Meadowglade? They say they can accommodate a vegan diet! (I’m 56 and have been vegan for years, it’s not disordered eating!) but I’m worried that they are just telling me what I want to hear to get me in the door. I don’t need my meals monitored. Their approach seems less punitive and more based on intuitive eating which is what I need. Anyone? Beyond grateful to the admins of this site, it has been instrumental in my search for the right facility. Thank you.
*cross-posted by admin from client general forum, so that more people will see! original comment is here: https://edtreatmentreview.com/client-general-forum/comment-page-10/#comment-18793*
Hello,
Have you looked further into the program? They also told me they honor veganism. Not only that, but you can get groceries of your choice to supplement what they offer.
I just left after 6 weeks there and was able to maintain my vegan diet, but it was difficult at times. Everything is changing now though bc they have FINALLY hired a chef. He is very accommodating and made me vegan meals that were pretty good, but for my first month or so there they had no chef and all the meals were disgusting take out, so I prepared all my own meals, often with groceries I bought myself. They do take you grocery shopping, at target or sprouts (amazing if you’re vegan!) but you pay for it yourself. It sounds like now with the chef at least in PHP clients will have less use of the kitchen but overall I was satisfied with the food situation bc I prefer to cook my own food. It did kind of suck, imo, that I had to spend so much $$ on groceries but at least I was able to get what I needed. Honestly they were better about ordering me groceries when I was in Res. Hope this helps.
Does any one have any reviews of their residential program? Do they allow technology and what were meals like? Do they supplement? What about a level system? Any information helps.
does anyone have a review of the PHP? THANKS!
I was here July-Aug 2021 for about 7 weeks. I have struggled with PTSD and my eating disorder for 12 years and have been to several RTC programs. I DO NOT recommend the Meadowglade for primary eating disorder treatment, but I was there for a primary diagnosis of PTSD and they did tons of trauma work. They treat all mental health conditions and mix Ed and non Ed patients and all genders are treated. RTC has 6 beds and PHP has 12 beds. The staff has very little ED training, they did not do orthostatic vitals, and I was weighed with clothes on and could easily see my weight. They do not monitor portioning well/ there is no official meal plan communication with techs so you eat however much or little you want. There are no supplements, and the chef is okay at best. Breakfast was not cooked fresh, it was up to you to go to the kitchenette and make bagels/toast/ yogurt whatever was in the pantry. And the RTC house has only a toaster oven, it sounds ridiculous but it’s true. On weekends our dinner for 6 patients would be made Friday night and put in the fridge then warmed up in the toaster oven for us. No one ever touched it.
BUT I was able to order my own groceries from target and have them delivered to the house, which allowed me to always have food on hand that I liked and could eat. They only monitored meals and bathrooms if you ask for accountability. Which was difficult and I was able to get away with purging for the first week. I told them I was using those behaviors because I was desperate to get help. Also the pantry is always open for everyone to eat throughout the day if you’re hungry. The BENEFITS FOR PTSD WERE INCREDIBLE treatment was extremely customized. I had individual therapy 2-3x a week with my primary, 1x family therapy with family therapy, EMDR with EMDR specialist 3x a week, dietitian 1x per week and she was not on campus and had very little power to change the food problems, and psych 1x per week.
Overall PROS:
– amazing for trauma treatment
– ordering my own groceries was super helpful and realistic for home
– small groups and lots of 1 on 1 treatment
– 2 ppl to room max
– BEAUTIFUL homey environment surrounded by nature and avocado trees
– therapist were well informed on trauma but not EDs and we did many different types of therapy
– you get your technology for several hours a day
– techs are very genuine and truly care about patients
– unlimited smoke and vape breaks whenever you want except during groups
– they will drive you into the city for dr appointments and specialists
– outings on the weekends were SO FUN went to Malibu, the zoo, the LA science museum, strawberry picking at local farms
CONS:
– do not go here unless you are 100% medically stable, they don’t do regular vitals, I only had labs done once the entire time, and the nurse is only there a few times a week
– meds are administered by techs and mistakes can be made if you are not careful and willing to advocate for yourself
– VERY LITTLE ED SUPPORT, virtually no meal support, very little bathroom monitoring, and very few body image/ ED groups
– THEY DO NOT provide many food options made by the chef and do not accommodate dietary restrictions very well, there is no meal plan that is implemented into the treatment
PHP PROGRAM:
There is A LOT of freedom in the PHP house. Beautiful pool and hot tub you can use anytime you’re not in programming, a small gym in the garage, unmonitored walks around the grounds.
– PHP programming is done away from the house, they load everyone up in a huge van and drive to the PHP/IOP offices about 10 mins away
– Can go shopping for groceries and anything else you want at target on weekends
– I was able to Uber into the city for a haircut/ massage/ nails on Sunday for an unmonitored pass
– Can bring your personal car if you’re local and drive yourself to programming and the grocery store and in IOP/PHP
– you can even take a weekend pass for 2 days if you have a car and are in IOP
– can have technology with you 24/7 in PHP house
– staff in PHP house is very flexible and kind, and housekeeping cleans rooms and makes beds everyday for you
Again, this program says they treat eating disorders but NOT AS A PRIMARY DIAGNOSIS. If you are really struggling with your ED, go to an ED specific treatment center first, then go to the Meadowglade for trauma treatment.
Hi Dana, I’m probably admitting here on Monday or Tuesday (trying for PHP but may have to do residential first) and while I have been in their PHP previously, it was a couple years ago and I haven’t done their res. Would you be willing to answer a few questions I have either here or via email? I just want to make sure I’m making the right choice in coming since I don’t know exactly what to expect if it’s res. Thank you!
Are you willing to answer questions?
Does php have a chef or do you self prepare there? Can you sub personal food for exchanges you don’t Ike?
Can you have coffee or sugar free beverages? Gum?
Do they have art, music, crafts, yoga, or holistic therapies?
Are you willing to answer questions?
I spoke to a representative, they said it is primarily mental health but also have eating disorder treatment. They do bathroom monitoring for a half hour after meals, staff sits with clients for the duration of the meal, they offer supplement. You don’t prepare your own meals but you could work with the chef and dietitian to create a meal plan around your food preferences. Breakfast is continental-type food, oatmeal, eggs, etc. I’m not sure about the other meals. The groups are CBT, experiential, body image, etc. They have an outing every Saturday and shopping on Sunday. I got all this info from the rep I spoke to but if anyone has any other info I’d very much appreciate it!
Thank you! This is extremely helpful!
Sure, no problem! I know how helpful I’ve found other information on this site and I want to pass on whatever I can and do my part! I will be sure to update if I get more information.
Also I’ve forgotten to mention in the previous comment they do weights 1-2x per week.
This is a new treatment center in Southern California that opened in 2019. Thank you to our community members who brought it to my attention! Any reviews, questions, comments, info?? Please share!