This page is for reviews of the Monte Nido Miami, Florida location. Monte Nido is a national eating disorder treatment center with a number of locations across the country. Monte Nido Miami was formerly known as Oliver-Pyatt Centers. It offers residential, day treatment, and supervised transitional living to adults of all genders.
Monte Nido is known for its focus on body and soul. It mostly focuses on residential treatment, however some locations do offer PHP, or PHP with housing. It was founded in 1996 by Carolyn Costin, who left after 20 years in 2016. Monte Nido changed ownership a few years ago; it now has new leadership, new clinical directors and many more locations.
(For reviews of the other Monte Nido residential treatment locations, please click here. For reviews of their PHP/IOP and virtual programs, please click here. For reviews of their adolescent program, Clementine, please click here.)
Any current reviews of Monte Nido’s Miami location? Please be sure to specify which program you are reviewing. You can check out the FAQ and Guidelines for suggested questions, and post your review or experience in the comments below!
Has anyone been there recently or there now
Has anyone been here since it became Monte Nido that would be willing to do a review!?
Yea shoot me your questions and I can get back to you
Any recent reviews? I’ve heard mixed reviews but they were long ago!
Oliver-Pyatt Center closed and is now Monte Nido Miami. I need to update the title, sorry, I’ll do so now! Most of the staff moved to a program called Galen Hope which was started by the same person who started Oliver-Pyatt Center.
Hi! I know this was 9 months ago but I figured I’d leave a response. I went here in fall 2023-spring 2024. Overall, it was a positive experience, certainly not abusive or neglectful at all. You get your phones at night and you are housed at a separate location from the treatment center so it felt like I was going home at the end of the day if this makes sense. The treatment center itself is kinda small and has limited places to hang out in but there is an outdoor patio that can be used with supervision. Like I said, positive overall and I did benefit from it.
Does anyone have recent feedback on Monte Nido (please specify location) OR Oliver Pyatt OR Fairhaven OR ERC – Chicago / Dallas / Denver ??
*cross-posted here by admin from client general forum, with rach’s permission
Hi Rach! (Love your name by the way, we Rachels are great!) To help get more views from people who have been to one of the places, would you be up for me cross-posting this onto each program’s page? (Or you are welcome to cross-post yourself!) Some community members just keep up with the pages for the center/s they have been to and not the general forum.
Feel free to cross post ! (:
I’m not sure if you’re still looking into these programs, but I personally would not choose ERC Dallas. It would be my last choice of the options on this list.
Hi everyone, I’m looking to enter OPC’s residential program, but I might need inpatient care prior. As far as I know, Florida doesn’t seem to have an adult inpatient care unit for eating disorders. I know we have one for children and adolescents, but I don’t think they’d accept adults (I’m in my late 20s).
Does anyone here know if OPC coordinates with any particular hospitals in the area or if there’s an inpatient unit for adults? Thank you! I appreciate any help!
Fairwinds and ViaMar have inpatient in Florida, but they are both RTCs too so it’s obviously not the same as a medical admission. You could call OPC and if they think you need inpatient first they will likely have recommendations! I know Clementine Miami sends patients to Niclaus Children’s, though I don’t think they take anyone over age 25.
If teens in OP /Clementine /Montenido Miami need inpatient do they go to Miami /Nicklaus Children’s and does anyone have info about this process experience?
Yes, generally they do. Nicklaus is a unit with very experienced adolescent medicine physicians whose goal is to stabilize the child and (generally) transfer them back to Clementine. Of course, if it turns out another program is a better fit, that can be discussed too. I’m not sure what visiting is like at Nicklaus right now with COVID, but they are incredibly experienced and capable of working with ED patients and have collaborated with OPC/Clem/MN for many years.
Is your daughter at Clementine now? I know you were looking for a program.
Thank you so much for getting back to me. I really appreciate it because even though I scoured the nicklaus Hospital website, it was hard to figure out what their eating disorder inpatient center consists of or even if they have one …. I called and tried to get through to the triage nurses in the ER just to get some information and they couldn’t tell me anything. ?! Also luckily they take my daughter’s insurance as I put her on a PPO as of January 1. So my plan is going to be Clementine Miami/Nicklaus children’s if she needs inpatient. I talked to an ED specialist last year, and she said that the Miami location is better than their others.?… the main thing for me will be to get her wherever in a short time frame -we were trying to do PHP but she needs higher level luckily, my insurance is also accepted at CHOP if she needs inpatient anywhere close to DC I will drive her there. I’m not doing DC Children’s National for her Tnx
I am wondering if anyone who recently went to Oliver Pyatt could speak to me or do an updated review about the residential? I am starting the admissions process and very scared about it all. Thanks!
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What do they restrain for? They don’t use tubes or anything.
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It is not uncommon to have chores in residential and it teaches responsibility and independence. That isn’t a bad thing.
I also would be interested in the restraint issue. Restraints are used when behavior is out of control so I am guessing there is more to the story here.
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[banned user] – I have to approve each comment manually. Usually I am able to do so within a few hours, however at times I try to let myself have a personal life and take an evening off. I would appreciate not having assumptions made about me and to be granted more grace and to be treated more kindly. It is depressing to allow myself to take one night off during the holiday season and to come back to accusations of professional impropriety.
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[Banned user] I approved this comment, despite how inappropriate it is, because it was only directed at me, and so that you wouldn’t feel silenced (because I know how terrible that feels) or like you did something wrong for sharing that you had a bad experience in treatment. But I can’t approve any of the other 7 ones you submitted in the last two hours. Frankly a couple of them are illegal. I just want to give you a heads up that any other future ones you may submit that are like these will also not be approved.
Thank you for the work you are doing Rachel. Please take breaks when you need to. Just as you have stood up for others on here, I would like to stand up and say that you deserve respect for dedicating your time and effort to help others find good treatment.
Let’s stay grateful and civil.
Rachel! you don’t tolerate the abuse of others. and we won’t tolerate the abuse of you. please take nights and weeks off. do some self-care. are there ways the community here can help you more? can you have a page asking for us to help? I think people will step up. you need a break and you should absolutely not be harassed.
SO much yes to this! Rachel takes care of us all, no matter if you pop up to read one post, or you actively participate and are trying to either find info, or give it.
We are so lucky to have a space like this, and the community here is so quick to help one another.
This bad energy and negative juju can kindly see itself out the door, along with our ED’s. ??
Rachel, please ask us for help, like S offered, here. You are more than allowed to do that, and so many of us want you to.
You are all so awesome. Thank you so much. ❤️ That’s such a great idea S! I am definitely going to make a page where I can ask for help with tasks/projects. It’s important to me that people can help while remaining anonymous, so that would be a great way to facilitate that. The site has grown so much, I keep running out of hours in the week haha! ? EDTR literally had 1000 views in one day a couple months ago! Maybe we can break 2000 views in a day this year?
Also, do you all think that if I made a page on https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ or something like that, people would be willing to chip in to support the costs of running the site? Honestly a lot of the stress comes from the fact that I pay for everything on this site myself (with occasional support from my family, partner, and friends), because I don’t want to have ads or sponsored links or “treatment center sponsors” or to solicit donations. I’m low income, so that means that I use most of my disposable income to pay for the fees of running the site, and then obviously I work for free, and our tech guy works for free (as does our copy editor – clearly haha!), which means that we all do the work outside of our regular jobs/educational pursuits. I haven’t been able to figure out how to set up a way for community members to donate small amounts while still keeping everything completely anonymous and private, but I think maybe that site would be a good option?
Oh my gosh, I totally think people would contribute to “buy you a coffee” or something like that. While I know most of the people here don’t have much money, I can speak for myself in that I would donate little bits here and there. So many of us get so much from this site that I think we would love to contribute. Please, please share a link to something like that and highlight it so people can see it. I feel like there’s a lot more traffic recently, so you have more work. You shouldn’t be paying these costs yourself. Let the community help, both in action and financially <3
Yes! I think that would be great.
Definitely please let us know how we can contribute, Rachel! I am so genuinely grateful (and I know I’m not the only one) for your dedication to this invaluable resource. Let us know how we can help and support you-every little bit helps!
Absolutely yes to this, Rachel! You have given so much support just by continuing to offer this site, not to mention all of the personal support that means the world to us. You cheer everyone on, you keep this a safe, welcoming community, and you research, advocate, and lobby for informed, equal care for all.
You deserve to be compensated in at least some way, and I know many of us here feel that way. Don’t be afraid to create a profile on a fund-sourcing platform that feels right for you. You never know what may come of it.
I think just being honest about where the money is going is the most important thing. I absolutely love that this site isn’t littered with pop-up ads, and email lists, and all of that crap. I can come here, read, and/or post quickly and without being bombarded by unnecessary material crap. <3
I’ve never seen anyone restrained there for “being depressed,” but that’s just my experience.
Confused about this. I was there about a year ago so I don’t know what may have changed, but they never did that nor did they seem to have the capacity to do so even when people were actively engaging in self-harm behaviors.
Hi! I am looking into residential treatment and trying to decide the best fit. I didn’t have the best experience when I went to a resi a few years ago so I am really searching for the best one, not just the closest to me. I am trying to decide between Oliver Pyatt, ERC, center for change, and Monte Nido. I think I like the philosophy OPC has of more intuitive eating, and a lot of therapy work, but I am still not positive. Does anyone have what a daily schedule may look like or what the comparison is to other treatment centers. I have spoken to a few to see if they use exchanges, have electronic access, etc.I am a working adult, so letting go of my phone and setting stuff aside will definitely be challenging. Thank you so much!
I’m going to OP next Monday. I’d love to hear about the program from people who’ve been to res recently. Do you get to menu plan? Do they work on weight restoration if you need it? What are outings like? Is the food any good?
Did you end up going? I’m interested in hearing how it is there right now.
I was meant to be at OPC residential but instead did virtual PHP/IOP from Nov 2021 – Jan 2022. I initially hesitated to post a review without anonymity (for obvious reasons) and frankly, for fear of retaliation by Monte Nido/OPC. But if my experience can help others, I’ll be grateful.
There are some gems and great people at OPC, but disorganized administration means they are rarely in the same position/level of care for long. And they are limited in the support they provide (even the therapists). I did not receive trauma-informed care, as OPC advertises. In fact, the program refused to treat my trauma and participated in multiple instances of medical gaslighting. I feel more traumatized by my treatment at OPC than by the trauma and eating disorder I sought to recover from. Nearly six months later, I still experience anxiety, flashbacks, and other trauma symptoms directly related to my experience at OPC.
OPC staff refused to consider my complex medical needs or communicate effectively with my physicians. No one was advocating for me here. Only against me. Ultimately, they decided I “reached max benefit of their program” – despite having reached none of my goals and at a level of care lower than the initial recommendation. Without sharing too many details; in other words, the clinical director was not a fan of my self-advocacy. She essentially bullied and all but outright kicked me out of the program. When I shared my concerns directly with her, she continued to gaslight and avoid direct questions. While OPC said they disagreed with insurance’s decision to step me down, they pulled a bait and switch and refused to advocate for my right level of treatment. Nor did they advocate to delay the transition; as such, it occurred during a week when I had surgery that seriously effected my dietary needs. No matter how hard myself and my outpatient providers tried to advocate for me, OPC spoke out of both sides and refused to stand by their words or provide any documentation. OPC isn’t afraid to bury things or change their story. When it came time, they barely helped me arrange my next treatment steps. I watched my peers received other inequitable treatment, but that’s not my story to tell.
This is a treatment center that values compliance and submission; not communication, individualization, or healing. As I said, some of the RCs and therapists are awesome people – but they are limited under a bad system, poor and ableist administration and a particularly poisonous clinical director.
Eating disorder treatment in this country is a mess all around, and I’m not sure there’s a place better than OPC. Some of the problems were systemic and some related to specific staff. Some problems were a result of well meaning staff being limited by the system and administration. Still, I wouldn’t recommend OPC.
Note: I received treatment in the virtual PHP/IOP programs in the winter of 2021-22. The staff list is barely accessible on the website so I don’t know how the staff has changed since then, other than some staff leaving.
Any recent reviews do they work with food intolerances
Just wanted to pop on here to say that OPC is a wonderful program and I highly recommend for clients who want to work on the mental health issues that lead to the ED (ex: trauma, anxiety, OCD, depression, BPD, etc).
The clinical director, ****, is extremely compassionate and involved. You’re in good hands with her. I went for several months and I am in strong recovery 6 months later. I’ve been to ERC and a few other programs many, many times and I think OPC is a great fit if you want to go deep. I’m definitely in the strongest recovery that I’ve ever been in. Pretty much every other program that I’ve been to has been very nutrition and medical based. At OPC, they purposefully don’t let you talk to your dietician more than 30 minutes a week and the medical doctor is not super likable even though you do have more access. OPC is about therapy. It is very effective and skill based and the therapists are extremely likable and easy to get comfortable with.
*name redacted by admin per site policy
I want to second this! I posted a couple reviews of it on here and definitely agree it’s about the therapy. Although I know that a lot of the therapists I had during my stay left, so I’m not sure how it is now.
Hi can I have someone contact information have some questions
Same here! That would be awesome if some questions could get answered!
I’ve heard awesome things about the Res level clinical director.
The PHP/IOP clinical director, Dr. *** ******, is not as kind or caring.
I know the “average” length of stay is so variable, but is it common for people to be here for many months? I’ve heard from some people that OPC has people stay in res for 6+ months but is that true? That seems like a really long time to be in residential
I would say majority of people (when I was there) stayed 6-8 weeks, maybe 12. They definitely have pushed to stay longer, but in my own experience staying longer especially at this facility has been the most beneficial.
I was here December 2020-March 2021 (2 months res, 2 months virtual PHP) and had a really positive experience overall. All the staff members were extremely caring and genuinely wanted to see you succeed, from the recovery coaches up to the clinical director. I didn’t really enjoy PHP online as much, but their residential was really a validating place with great therapists.
When were you there?
October 2021-December 2021
How many patients on average?
I think the most when I was there was like 20
Does it treat both males and females? If so, is treatment separate or combined?
I am not 100% sure. Most were cis female when I was there. Some people were nonbinary but I think all have been assigned female at birth.
If applicable: Do they support gender identities of transgender and/or nonbinary patients? If yes, how so? If no, how so?
I would say OPC has more “catching up” to do but they are trying to be more inclusive and understanding. When I was there there were many instances of misgendering. They started an LGBTQ+ group as well. But I do not think most of the therapist have much training with those who are part of it, with regards to gender identity, gender dysphoria, etc.
How often do you see a medical doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist (therapist), nutritionist, etc?
Psychiatrist 1X/week, Therapist 3X/week (one of these is a family session), Dietician 1X/week, Nurse practitioner 1X/week. If you need a check-in with any of them (most people if they check in it’s with a dietician or therapist) you can do this as well. Their website does say the nurse practitioner and psychiatrist may be more if indicated but I don’t think I’ve seen that happen. Nursing is 24/7. Usually you only meet with your full team if you are struggling or need to speak with them together. They have a weekly treatment team meeting on Tuesdays where they all meet together and discuss each case as well.
What is the staff ratio to patients?
I am not the best at estimating this but I would say it can be pretty low at times. If you need to talk to a therapist the recovery coaches can make it happen. Usually on the weekdays there are 3 recovery coaches and 4 on the weekends. Sometimes it can be hectic and hard to get a hold of someone. But most of the time they will do everything they can for someone to help you or check in.
What sort of therapies are used? (DBT, CBT, EMDR) etc?
DBT, CBT, ACT, also do CPT if needed.
If applicable: How is the program responding to COVID? (Less patients, virtual programming, no visitors, masks, social distancing, etc)
I was kind of frustrated with their response to COVID. At one point during my stay they added visitors back but then took them away when a lot of staff tested positive. When I was there luckily no clients tested positive. Mask wearing is still mandated, but there aren’t really any social distancing measures so I am not sure how effective this is. When a staff member would test positive we would get tested twice. I think the part I really dislike is that if you test positive for covid, you are expected to go home and do virtual PHP for the quarantine time. If you had flown in you are expected to make it work by staying in a hotel or something. They have empty apartments so I don’t understand why people cannot stay there other than Monte Nido does not want to pay the extra money. I find this problematic because if you’re in residential it’s because you need the extra support. A lot could go wrong those few days in virtual programming. If you have financial concerns, I don’t understand how you are supposed to make this happen. Now, this could have changed since my stay but I don’t really know.
Describe the average day:
5:30-6:50: wake up, get meds, take shower, etc.
*bathrooms are only open during this time without supervision. All other times bathrooms are locked and you have to ask to use the bathroom with supervision. Also, bathrooms are locked 30 minutes after meals and 15 minutes after snacks. If it’s an emergency, you have to count, talk, etc while you use the bathroom
7:00-7:30: Breakfast
7:30-8:00: Filling out overnight self-report, downtime
8:00-8:30: Leave for center
*At OPC you stay in apartments, separate from the center. I really liked this because it is a chance to get out. Commute time depending on the day. Sometimes traffic was bad so it could be like a 20 minute ride but it’s not far at all.
9:00-10:00: Group
10:00-10:30: Snack
*Sometimes snack started sooner and sometimes later. Usually bathrooms are open after group so it might be closer to 10:15
10:30-11:30: Group
12:00-12:30: Lunch
(Friday-Sunday) 1:00-1:30: Group
1:00-3:30: Downtime, session time
3:30-3:45: Snack
4:00-5:00: Downtime, session time
5:00-6:00: Group
6:30-7:15: Dinner
7:15-8:30: Downtime
8:30: Leave for apartments
9:00-10:45: Allotted time for evening snack/getting ready for bed
Some things to note:
*The schedule should be taken with a grain of salt. Nothing really starts strictly on time, maybe groups do. Sometimes meals run late. They also do pre and post meal processing group so the meal will be a little bit later than the start time above. They say on the schedule that you would leave at 8:00 for the apartments but this never happens. It can be a little frustrating because the days are so long.
*There is a lot of downtime here. It is put in the schedule so basically you can “sit” with yourself and uncomfortable emotions that may come up. It is also just the idea of just being. Some people find it really boring but I didn’t think it was too bad as long as you had something to do. I usually read, colored, played games, did homework, etc.
What were meals like?
Breakfast and lunch were 30 minutes, snacks 15 minutes, and dinner 45 minutes. For meals there is a pre and post meal processing group. You name a number on the hunger-fullness scale (0 is empty-10 which is painful fullness) and then state an intention. Depending on where you’re at you can say completing the meal or practicing mindfulness or something like that. I would recommended setting a concrete goal instead of an open one like “trying your best” because I personally found it easy for my ED to slip in. One of the things I really liked here was conversation is really open. We usually can talk about anything as long as it’s not numbers or a heavy topic. It fostered an environment where you could really enjoyed food. Many people expressed if they thought the meal was good (stay away from negative thoughts about the food). In the processing groups you can talk about thoughts and urges just not too explicit.
There is no exchange system here. They practice intuitive eating. At residential it is a bit more controlled. The chef is who portions out the meals while the RCs portion the snacks. They really emphasize the idea of food freedom and want you to listen to your hunger cues and body. I explain more of this below, but if you are hungry and already had a meal or snack, you can ask for more.
You can also ask for seconds or a dessert or side. I think you can also ask for beverage. This allows you to listen to your body and your hunger/fullness cues. Sometimes people had a required dessert or side.
What sorts of food were available or served?
This is the best “treatment” food I have ever had. There is a personal chef and he is incredibly kind and really cares about the wellbeing of the clients. If you wanted a specific meal you can request it. The breakfasts are a rotating menu (bagels, english muffins, waffles, breakfast sandwich, cereal, along with dairy options and fruit) while the other meals are a wide variety of foods. You pick the snacks off a menu but usually it’s not too repetitive because there is a lot of variety. The meals are pretty much exposures right off the bat. Some examples of the meals are pastas, pizzas, tacos, curry, etc. He usually made a lot of mexican and asian food. If you tried a meal and didn’t really like it you can order a replacement meal which is chicken pot pie or vegetable lasagna for vegetarians.
Sundays were always PB&J + fruit for lunch and a rotating pizza + salad. Saturday were meals prepped by the chef.
When you start, you can list three food items that you do not like. Be mindful of what you choose because if you find you don’t like something else you cannot add it.
On Wednesdays there were “innings” (non-COVID they would travel to the restaurant). You would pick from a menu in the morning from whatever restaurant they chose and would have it for lunch. Here they practiced “self regulating” where you would listen to your hunger/fullness cues and then can ask for feedback. It is kind of hard to do in the beginning since sometimes you don’t have those cues back.
Did they supplement? How did that system work?
No supplementing. If you do not complete you get some privileges taken away.
What is the policy of not complying with meals?
In the treatment plan one of the goals is 100% meal compliance within the first 3 days. Sometimes people are able to do this and sometimes not. If you’re not heavily restricting nothing really bad happens. But if you’re really not complying you may be sent to inpatient or another facility, maybe one with tube feeding. But usually this did not happen.
Are you able to be a vegetarian?
Yes
What privileges are allowed?
Completion allows you certain benefits. You can participate in movement, have coffee at breakfast or coca cola at lunch. Sometimes we go on drives on the weekends which is based on completion. Once you are completing for a while you can move onto self-portioning, starting with snacks. You are watched over by an RC where you portion your snack based on what “feels good.” Then the RC will give feedback, where you may have to adjust a bit. Then you can move onto meals, where you will portion with the chef. This can seem intimidating but it’s really not!
Does it work on a level system?
Not really. If you continue completing you can start to do challenges like a snack challenge, side room challenge (where you eat by yourself), order in for a meal, do an apartment challenge (an RC takes you to the apartment early where you are left by yourself from 5-8:30. Bathrooms are also open at this time. You usually will do a couple of these at the end of your stay)
How do you earn privileges?
By completion
What sort of groups do they have?
CBT, DBT, ACT, Body Image, Spirituality, Life Skills, Special Topics, Shame Resilience, Process Group, Relapse Prevention, Expressive Arts, Leadership (peer-led group).
What was your favorite group?
I found process group the most helpful. Usually it was a group for anyone to process something. I found you connected with your peers the most and I found talking with peers to be one of the most helpful things in my recovery. The groups are pretty heavy but really helpful. Usually it is led by the Clinical Director or Assistant Clinical Director.
What did you like the most?
A lot. I loved most of the staff. The Clinical Director genuinely cares and so does the rest of your team. They meet you where you are and will not give up on you. Everyone stays at the center (except leaving for the day haha) so it feels intimate in a way. I do not benefit from exchanges and found here I had the most food freedom and trust with my body than outside of OPC. I really liked that we had mindful movement. I was here in the summer as well and both times had a great experience. At this point I had been in treatment all year and I felt like here I made the most progress.
What did you like the least?
I’ll be honest. This program probably isn’t for everyone. All the rules can be a huge shock, especially if you are just starting out in treatment. I find that the lack of freedom here can make the ed panic and make it very distressing to be here. It was very hard for me most of the time but at the end I am so glad I found this place. Also the fact that things usually aren’t on time. Especially going home at the end of the day, which can be closer to 9 which is so frustrating. This isn’t an excuse but tbh Miami runs on a whole different schedule so it’s not out of the norm for Miami.
Would you recommend this program?
Yes, if you are willing enough. If you are at a place where you might need a feeding tube, I would look for another place.
What level of activity or exercise was allowed?
Movement groups were Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This consisted of yoga, hip-hop (the best), mindful walks. Sometimes your therapist might take you on a walk for session. There were also some exposures where people did a certain activity with their therapist.
What did people do on weekends?
There was still programming but not as much staff. Only two therapists were there and 4 RCs. Groups ended at 1:30 so the rest was downtime until dinner. On Sundays you left after PM snack for the apartments and have dinner there. Weekends can be rough with the less support and more downtime.
Do you get to know your weight?
No. Blind weights are done Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Not sure if you are told when you met your goal weight either.
How fast is the weight gain process?
I am not sure. I was not on weight restoration. I still gained weight, but I couldn’t tell how fast.
What was the average length of stay?
It could be 4 weeks to multiple months. I stayed a total of like 4.5 months combined. It also depends on your insurance but they fight really hard for you to stay.
What was the average age range?
Usually young adult like early 20’s but oldest when I was there was someone in their 60’s
How do visits/phone calls work?
They started visiting but stopped it when staff members got covid/cases went up. You can have your phones and electronics once you get back to your apartment. I was allowed my kindle at the center since it didn’t have internet access. If you need to make a phone call during the day for something important you can arrange it with your therapist and they will have it approved. There are also landlines to make calls at the center.
What is the electronics policy? (ex: cell phones, iPods, Kindle, laptop, tablets)
See above
Are you able to go out on passes?
Technically no because of covid.
What kind of aftercare do they provide (Step-downs, PHP, IOP, Transitional Living, Alumni Groups)?
They have PHP and IOP. You can stay in their apartments but it’s pretty expensive plus you have to provide your own food and transportation to the center (for sessions only). I haven’t found any Alumni Groups for it even though they say they have a facebook page.
Do they help you set up an outpatient treatment team?
Depends. They connect with the outreach team at least for me but I didn’t receive much help
Are there any resources for people who come from out of state/country?
No you’re pretty much on your own.
Other?
I found this treatment center to be very differently structured than the “basic” ones. It may not work for everyone but I found it really helpful.
Did people have the opportunity to portion? Did you feel well equipped to translate your meal plan once you left treatment?
Yes, I had experience portioning for at least a month before discharge. I was portioning all meals and snacks. I would say I felt very equipped as well. I was required to have a week of meals/snacks and you can also ask the chef for recipes.
Is it a good place for someone who has an issue with compulsive over eating ?
Has anyone been to both oliver pyatt and monte nido? I have been to monte nido and it was the most helpful treatment facility that I have ever been to. Unfortunately insurance cut and I had to leave early. I know I don’t want to use exchanges because I get very obsessed with hitting them “perfectly”. Neither program utilizes exchanges, but their meal plans do have some differences. If you have been to either (or both), what did you like or dislike about the program(s)?
*cross-posted by admin from client general forum
Hi, I was at OPC over the summer and left a review as well. I returned to their program in October and am still in it. I would strongly recommend this program and if you want I can do an updated review
I would love an updated review including changes with COVID. Are outings still a thing?
This place absolutely saved my life. It was a hard and exhausting process but I would not go anywhere else. If anyone has any questions about OPC, let me know.
Hi H – We have a list of questions to answer, if you can answer some or all of them that would be great! I pasted them below. In addition, people also often ask about pre-COVID vs COVID protocol at a center, and what things are currently like there (eg status of outings, passes, and in person visits; how are meals set up; masks requirements, COVID test required, etc). 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?
I’d love some info like the questions below if you are able to share! Thank you!
I’d very much like to hear too!
When were you there? May 3 2021- July 2 2021
How many patients are there on average? When I was there I would say the average was about 20. It was also split into two tracks at random. Basically one group ate downstairs while the other ate upstairs. Besides that there is no difference in the tracks.
Does it treat both males and females? If so, is treatment separate or combined? It is female-only.
How often do you see a medical doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist (therapist), nutritionist, etc? You see the nurse practitioner, psychiatrist, and dietician once a week, while you see your therapist three times a week. One of the therapy sessions would be family therapy if you wanted.
What is the staff-to-patient ratio? About 1:5
What sort of therapies are used (e.g., DBT, CBT, EMDR, etc.)? DBT, CBT, ACT. They also had body image, interpersonal groups, relapse prevention, processing, etc.
Describe the average day:
Bathrooms opened to get ready and shower at 5:30-6:50am. Bathrooms are always locked and staff must flush except during this time, in which you can take a shower as well
7:00- breakfast
8:00- leave the apartments for the center. You live in apartments separate from the center that you are driven to and from.
9:00- Group
10:00- Snack
10:30- Group
11:30-12:15- free time
12:30- lunch
1:15-3:00- Free time. During this time you may be pulled for a session or you can work on your homework that your therapist assigns you.
3:00- snack
3:30-4:30- free time
4:30-5:15/5:15-6:00- movement group or outside time. One track does movement in the first time slot while the other is outside and vice versa. Movement ranged from yoga, dance therapy, and strengthening classes. There also is a hip-hop class, easily the best one. I had so much fun during it and it allowed me to view movement as a positive thing.
6:30- dinner
8:30- head back to the apartments
The free time is built in kind of like an exposure to allow you to “sit with” your emotions. It’s really frustrating at first but I found that after a while I grew used to having the free time.
The schedule is a bit different on the weekends. Movement is in the mornings and there are no groups at 4:30 but a group after lunch. During Covid, you would return to the apartments at 4pm on Sundays, but I believe this would usually be the time for outings instead.
What were meals like? Before each meal, you are told what it is, so you do not know beforehand, except for Breakfast. There are pre and post meal processing groups. You rate your hunger on a scale given and set an intention for the meal. You had 30 minutes for Breakfast and Lunch and 45 for dinner, and 15 for snack. You were given a 10 minute warning for meals and 5 minute for snack. Table talk was pretty open except for the talk of things like trauma, numbers, behaviors, etc. I found it really helpful to have it be normalized to talk about food and enjoying meals at the table. Your plan is personalized w/ the dietician. You also can get 3 exclusions, foods that you really dislike that aren’t because of the ED. Also, if you do not like what is served, you can order a replacement meal, which is basically a frozen meal (usually it’s Chicken Pot Pie), but you can only order this a certain number of times per week. Everything is pre-portioned for you, until you reach the level of portioning. This where you are watched over on your portioning in which you just eyeball it and then are told if you’re over and under. This was very challenging for me and I struggled a lot but it’s so good because you need to learn to not rely on measuring tools. Lastly, alternating days, a therapist or dietician would eat either dinner or lunch with you.
What sorts of food were available or served? The cuisine here during my time was very diverse. I tried a lot of different flavors and foods that I was not used to, but enjoyed. When I was here we had an excellent chef but he has since left. Everything was pretty well rounded too, not just having certain foods for lunch and certain foods for dinner. Sunday’s we always have PB&J for lunch and pizza for dinner. The chef isn’t here on the weekends so I believe that’s why. You had very little choice in what you choose to eat. There were some choices for breakfast (ex. Picking what spread you want on a bagel) and you could choice from a list of snacks. Accompanied with every lunch & dinner is a side or dessert, which you can order, and are not required to complete.
Did they supplement? How did that system work? No supplements. If your meal plan was increased it was increased in the volume of food. Or you could get a mandatory side or dessert.
What is the policy of not complying with meals? There are repercussions like not being able to participate in the movement classes but other than that you are not supplemented if you don’t complete the meal. But I think that it is expected that you complete 100%. I think if you are non-complaint to a certain degree they will send you somewhere that tube feeds or inpatient.
Are you able to eat vegetarian? Yes but not vegan.
What privileges are allowed? Phones were allowed once you got to the apartments. If you completed for 24hrs you could get coffee with your breakfast, and if you complete lunch for the day you can get tea afterwards.
Does it work on a level system? Nope. The only levels are for movement meaning an increase in difficulty with each level.
How do you earn privileges? By completing your meals.
What sort of groups do they have? CBT, DBT, ACT, movement groups, Relapse Prevention, processing groups, communications, life skills, family and relations, body image, expressive arts, shame resilience, more that I can’t remember.
What was your favorite group? I loved processing group. You basically went around the room and shared what you’re struggling with and if you needed to check in further you could. It’s a nice way to connect more with others but also to process what you’re dealing with.
What did you like the most? The therapy. I don’t think there are any “bad” therapists here or anyone that people are “unlucky” to get. I formed an excellent relationship with my therapist and was so sad to leave the program. I processed so much and was challenged constantly which left me emotionally drained every day but it’s what I needed. I cried the most I have ever cried in my life. I don’t think you’re going to find better therapy anywhere else. I also really enjoyed their philosophy on nutrition here. They operate from an intuitive based mindset, which means no exchanges or anything. I really appreciated this because I found exchanges unhelpful. It made me feel like eventually I would be able to eat intuitively like others who didn’t have eating disorders. Overall, I felt very sad to leave res, which is saying a lot. The community, therapists, and other staff were all so supportive and kind. I have been to another res and definitely did not feel the same way.
What did you like the least? The groups got to be a bit repetitive. A lot of the groups would be a worksheet that we would read aloud or a journal prompt and it got to be annoying because most of us enjoyed discussion based groups. But the facilitators really valued your feedback and took this into consideration, so the groups got better while I was there.
Would you recommend this program? 100% yes. I don’t think you’re going to find a better program than OPC.
What level of activity or exercise was allowed? We had movement groups that were essentially approved by the dietician and were a lot of fun. There was gentle yoga, hip hop, mindful walks, strength and stretch, and dance therapy. There were levels to movement that basically said if you could do the harder yoga poses, more difficult workout, etc. I’m not sure how it is determined when you get to move up a level.
What did people do on weekends? The weekends during Covid looked differently than the weekends pre Covid. When I was there, we still had programming on the weekends. Movement group would be in the mornings along with another group and then a group following lunch. Saturday’s we were taken to a man made beach at a nearby park and on Sundays we were taken back to the apartments earlier, around 4 and we would have dinner there. Before Covid, Sundays would be an outing day and you would rarely go back to the apartments early. Right when I was leaving they were starting outings again, so I would think that now they were doing more outings on the weekends.
Do you get to know your weight? No, it is always blind weights. Weigh day was Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
How fast is the weight gain process? Not sure as I did not have to gain.
What was the average length of stay? I would say it really depends. Some people stay 4-6 weeks but I stayed about 9 weeks and others stayed longer.
What was the average age range? Mostly early 20s but there were those in their 30s and 50s when I was there.
How do visits/phone calls work? You have plenty of time to call and FaceTime friends and family once you get back to the apartments after programming ends, but I know that they are starting visitation back up. I believe that it would be a 30 minute visit but physical distancing parameters are going to be put in place.
What is the electronics policy (e.g., cell phones, iPods, Kindles, laptops, tablets)? You can have devices that don’t require internet like a Kindle when you are at the center. You can use any electronic device back at the apartments.
Are you able to go out on passes? I think restaurant passes and other kinds were a thing here but when I was here they still had all of their parameters around Covid so I’m not 100% sure. However I did do an exposure with my therapist and we went to a nearby donut shop so I think that you can arrange it.
What kind of aftercare do they provide? Do they help you set up an outpatient treatment team? They have PHP and IOP but they are still virtual. There is talk of it returning to in person in August. I’ve heard that the virtual programming is very boring and not the best. I am currently not in it as I decided to go to an in person PHP. I believe that they want you to have an outpatient team but I am unsure if they help you set up one as I already had an outpatient team.
Are there any resources for people who come from out of state/country? You were responsible for setting up travel arrangements, other than that I don’t know.
If applicable: Do they support the gender identities of transgender and nonbinary people? Unsure. I do not think any of the therapist specialized in topics regarding gender such as gender dysphoria.
Other?
Along with the therapists are recovery coaches who are there to coach you along the process. You can check in with them and they are available 24/7. Some were more helpful than others, but I found this to be a vital part of my stay because I needed the extra support. They also eat with you at the table.
During my stay the COVID protocol was very lax. There were some people who strongly enforced wearing masks but others did not care and many did not wear their masks. I do not know if it was always like this but many who didn’t want to wear it were already vaccinated. We still went out to outdoor places like the park and the beach. And like I said above, they are starting in person visitation and outings. They tested you for COVID about two days after you arrive, which was odd to me. They also helped me and took me to a location to get my second dose of the vaccine, so I think they are encouraging of getting vaccinated. But a mask mandate is still in place whether or not you are vaccinated.
This is amazing, thank you so much H! What a wonderful gift you’ve given to others by coming here after treatment and sharing these details and your experience. So many people do not do that. You have helped more people with this, and will continue to with this for years, than you can ever imagine.
H, thank you so much for your review. I’m admitting tomorrow am really nervous. Do you have any last minute words of advice? Also, I’m assuming no gum or soda?
No problem! Nerves are totally expected, but I promise it will pass! I would say to trust the staff there and your fellow peers as well — everyone cares about your and your wellbeing and wants to see you doing well. The rules are going to be hard to get used to but once you get into the routine of things it will get better. There’s going to be a lot of free time, but you will get used to this as well. I would recommend getting into a hobby like reading or coloring or puzzle making to pass the time. Remember that everything you’re feeling won’t last forever — it too will pass. And yeah, no gum or soda :). You’ve got this!
Thanks! Any particular rules you’re talking about? I’ve been in treatment lots of times.
I know a lot of people had to get used to the locked bathrooms. Bathrooms are locked at all times, except for a period of time in the morning when you could shower. You cannot flush your own toilet, except in that time in the morning. Another rule some people found hard to follow is that you can’t have coffee in the morning unless you’ve completed the 24 hours before. I think it’s a good incentive for completion, though. I don’t think that any of the rules are out of the ordinary from regular treatment rules.
Thank you! Was this your first time in treatment?
Nope, and I can say that this was a much better facility compared to the other one I was at.
Has anyone been here recently that can give an update on how the program is?
If you have GI complications that limit the volume of food you are able to consume, can you do half portions and add supplement or peanut butter or something that is lower in volume that still gets in the calories?
Do they ever court order people?
They do not supplement here but I know that instead of getting an increase in the volume of the meal some people have gotten juice or something else. I know they work with you well to meet your preferences. Not sure about the court order.
They never court order people, or cert or Baker Act (as it is called in Florida). OPC is an entirely voluntary program.
Yes, they will put you on a psyc hold. I was put on one 2x times when I tried to leave the program. The first time I talked back to the MD, sure I could go. I had been eating 100% consistently for a while, was beyond weight restored, no safety issues, etc. The MD replied that in Florida they have the baker act. They don’t have to give a reason. So they definitely will court order/psyc hold ppl. My family was being told that I was doing well, getting better and that I will ask to leave but that is the disorder. But after nearly a year, my weight was up,, in fact they had me gain significantly more than any of the 10+ places I have been, but it was using food as punishment. (I struggled with eating too slowly when I got there so for the whole time I was there, anytime I didn’t finish in the time limit I had to eat my entire replacement meal- even if I had only a bite or two of the regular meal left. So, I came home much heavier- but my labs were worse than when i entered- after almost a year. My team was pretty horrified. I was able to leave when my family visited and could tell i was actually telling the truth not them. After insurance stopped, my parents were just paying because they wanted me better so OPC used that. I think they would have kept putting me on holds if I tried to leave if my parents hadn’t visited and then said they aren’t paying for any more treatment.
I have been in recovery for a couple years now, so this is before that–
(after OPC I refused all help, for the first time ever felt like I would rather not be alive than get better/even just be here. But a bit later i ended up going to ACUTE and ERC Denver. ACUTE and erc’s php are the only places I would feel comfortable recommending to someone I care about
I was just at OPC for their residential program and I’m going to be super transparent here, it’s more of a PHP program than it is a residential. You live in a separate building with one RC (recovery coach) and are allowed your phone at night. I would say the only truly residential qualities were vitals and med obs and three meals/three snacks all together, but again, many PHP programs are like that.
This program was also very very bad at communicating. The RC’s never knew what was going on and if they did the therapists or nurses or both didn’t. It was just a lot and was a very chaotic place that made it hard to recover.
Also, if you’re concerned about COVID-19 protocol, I’d say avoid OPC because there was little to no knowledge and unprofessional communication between staff and clients about the seriousness of COVID. Clients had to advocate for quarantine after an exposure for hours and begged to get tested when another client tested positive. It’s not the best place to be during a pandemic to put it simply.
Did they have 24/7 nursing in the separate building?
When I was there there was at least one nurse at the apartment building where you lived every night (along with one RC per apartment). They went to each apartment to pass meds and do medical check ins in the evening and morning, as well as deal with any medical concerns.
Did you find that there was less accountability because it was more like PHP? Trying to decide between here and Monte Nido (I know they are run by the same company) and worried about making the wrong decision.
Did you find that there was less accountability because it was more like PHP? Trying to decide between here and Monte Nido (I know they are run by the same company) and worried about making the wrong decision.
• When were you there?
2019
• How many patients on average?
22, split into two tracks.
• Does it treat both males and females? If so, is treatment separate or combined? Female only, but there was a trans woman when I was there (M->F)
• How often do you see a medical doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist (therapist), nutritionist, etc?
MD- once a week in residential, upon request in PHP/IOP
Psychiatrist – once per week
Therapist – 4x/week in residential, 3x/week in PHP, 1x/week in IOP
• What is the staff ratio to patients?
About 1:8. That’s a complete guess though.
• What sort of therapies are used? (DBT, CBT, EMDR) etc?
All kinds. We had different groups for DBT, CBT, ACT, nutrition, mindfulness, art, etc.
• Describe the average day: (residential)
Set up:
We lived in apartments and went to the center every day for programming. RCs drove us in vans.
6:00 – wake up, shower, get ready
7:30 – breakfast in apartment
8:30 – arrive at center. Wait for meds
9:30 – group
10:30 – morning snack
11:00 – group
12:30 – pre-meal group, lunch, post-meal group
1:30-5:00- free time/appointment time. This is time for appointments with therapists, dietitians, and doctors. If you didn’t have an appointment you usually could do “TOs” (Therapeutic Opportunities), which are essentially journal prompts that your therapist gives you. Otherwise, you can read, nap, do puzzles, art, etc.
3:30 – afternoon snack
5:00 – movement groups. We have movement 5 days/week. 3 times a week is yoga (very light), once a week is movement therapy (which is like expressive dance.), and once a week is “Strength and stretching”. Every other week hip hop is subbed for yoga. Hip hop was a lot of fun, and hilarious (imagine a bunch of eating disorder patients attempting to twerk.) Strength and stretching is the only one that is a true workout. It worked on a level system of red, orange, green. Most people are on red. Orange and Green levels have the option to do harder yoga poses or harder exercise moves. You need to ask to get moved up a level. I never asked, so I was on red the entire time.
6:30 – pre-meal group, dinner, post-meal group
7:30- closing group. It’s not a real group, it’s more of a way for the therapists to kill time while the RCs are packing up.
8:00 – 9:00 – leave for the apartments. It’s supposed to be 8:00, but it was usually closer to 9:00
9:00-11:00- evening snack. You could choose whenever you wanted your evening snack as long as it was before 11:00 PM. Otherwise, it’s free time to use your laptop, do laundry, or whatever. There isn’t a mandated bedtime, but I usually went to sleep around 10:00.
• What were meals like?
Everyone has her own meal plan, and at first everything is plated for you. You go to the table, find the plate with your initials on it, and that’s your meal. There is no choice for lunch and dinner. You have small options in the morning, (vanilla yogurt or strawberry yogurt) but you’re expected to eat whatever is put in front of you. You choose snacks from a snack list, but they will not modify or customize it.
Your dietitian lets you know when you are able to portion yourself and when you can regulate. (Most people don’t get to regulating until PHP.) Portioning yourself means you guess what your portion is. There is absolutely no measuring allowed. You have to eyeball it like a normal person. Regulating means you are served a larger potion, and you are allowed to finish when you are full. Most people get to regulating towards the end of PHP.
The meal plans are a mystery. You don’t know your meal plan. At first, you just eat what you are given, and then when you get to portioning, you guess. As someone who is very controlling with food, I found it HARD.
Before and after each meal we have a pre/post group. In pre-meal group, we rated our hunger/fullness on a scale of 1-10 and set an intention for the meal. In post-meal group, we rated our hunger/fullness again and said if we met the intention.
We played a lot of table games, but it depends on your group of people.
The RCs were strict about food rituals. You had to eat your sandwich as a sandwich. You had to eat at a reasonable pace. Silverware was given depending on the meal. (ie, no forks for pb&j) It was annoying, but it’s what I needed.
If a meal was particularly hard, you could have a “check-in” with an RC. You’d step away from the table 1-on-1, get a pep talk, and return.
They focused a lot on intuitive eating. I think it’s a very important step in recovery BUT I don’t think residential treatment is the place to do it. Because I didn’t have a concrete meal plan, I didn’t know what to do when I got home! Also, especially if you’re on a weight restoration plan, you can’t rely on hunger cues that early in recovery.
• What sorts of food were available or served?
Everything! You were served a large variety, and the food was pretty good. It was not hospital food! You just had no choice in the matter. Which is terrifying, but it’s also good exposure.
The meals would not be revealed until the pre-group meal (right before we ate), so you never knew what it would be. The exceptions are breakfasts, which worked on a weekly schedule, and Sundays were pb&j for lunch and pizza for dinner (probably the chefs’ day off)
They served a lot of salads for lunch. They are trying to teach that you can make a meal out of salad with the right amount of toppings. However, it’s hard to eat that much salad if you’re on weight restoration.
You could have 3 “exclusions”, which are foods you don’t have to eat. They have to be specific items and genuine dislikes. This was really nice. For example, I had an exclusion of sweet potatoes, and when sweet potatoes were served, they’d sub in something else. (usually regular potatoes)
You could also get 2 “replacement meals” per week in residential and 1 per week in PHP. If it’s a genuine dislike, you could get a replacement meal. It was usually a frozen meal, typically chicken pot pie.
They always had sides and desserts. A dietitian can require that you have a side or dessert as an addition to a meal if your meal plan is large enough, but otherwise it is optional. You are expected to listen to your hunger cues.
• Did they supplement? How did that system work?
No supplements. There were no ensures or boosts. It was all normal food. It was good in that supplements suck. It was bad in that portions could get enormous if a meal plan was high enough.
• What is the policy of not complying with meals?
They don’t punish you for not complying with meals. They want to reinforce the idea of you choosing to eat. (which think is a good idea) Nothing happens if you don’t comply, but your therapist and dietitian would be notified. However, for every incomplete, you cannot drink coffee or do movement groups for the next 24 hours because your body can’t handle those if you don’t feed it appropriately. They call this a “natural consequence”, which I think is fair enough.
• Are you able to be a vegetarian?
Yes
• What privileges are allowed?
You could have your cell phone and computer at the apartment, but you couldn’t bring it to the center. Which means we could only have them between 9:00 PM to 8:00 AM.
• Does it work on a level system?
Only the movement levels, otherwise no.
• How do you earn privileges?
You don’t
• What sort of groups do they have?
All kinds. We had different groups for DBT, CBT, ACT, nutrition, mindfulness, art, etc.
• What was your favorite group?
Ones in which we actually talked. A lot of groups were a therapist going over a worksheet, which I don’t find to be very helpful.
• What did you like the most?
I really liked having individual therapy sessions 4x/week. That’s why I chose to go to Oliver-Pyatt.
Most of the therapists were very good. Although, I got the shit therpaist, and they would not let me switch, so I was stuck with a bad therapist. All of the other’s were good.
For a treatment center, the food was good.
• What did you like the least?
I did not have a great experience. The program has a lot of potential to be great if only OPC would get it’s shit together. I’ve heard it was really good until it was bought by Monte Nido.
There were a lot of meal errors, which is maddening and terrifying when you’re supposed to give up all control to them. It’s hard to trust when they keep screwing up.
When the mileau got large, they did not increase staff or vans. So not everybody had a spot in a van.
Nothing was ever on time. Everything always started late.
They idea of living in separate apartments is a good idea until you realize what a logistical nightmare it is. It was a pain having to spend so much time waiting and to be driven to and from. The worst part was the med boxes- the medications had to go through a whole process of being checked into and out of the center because they had to go back and forth to the apartments. This also meant you’d have to wait a long time to get your meds. Sometimes, night meds wouldn’t come until 11:00 PM!
Bathrooms. This was one of the worst aspects for me. You were never allowed to use the bathroom on your own, no matter your progress. There was always an RC listening in, and you weren’t allowed to flush your own toilet. The RCs flushed them for you. I had a hard time with it. I had to get over my shy bladder quickly. At first, I would have to wait until I was going to explode because I could not pee in front of others. It discouraged me from drinking water.
Some of the staff were great, some were awful, and some were in the middle. They had such a control over the residents that it could become a power trip. It was hard to put up with day after day.
The rules were strict. I get why they’re there, but they still sucked. So many rules.
I can’t close the door to my bedroom.
Water bottles aren’t allowed in any rooms.
I can’t flush my own toilet.
I have to have someone listen in while I go to the bathroom.
I have to ask permission to go to the bathroom.
I was told no, I wasn’t allowed to go the bathroom. (Even after the appropriate amount of time had passed since a meal AND I would be listened in on.)
Being treated like a child and criminal. It was so degrading. Going from a normal adult life, in which I had my own home and job, to a residential facility was a shock to the system. I get why the rules were there, but it was still so humiliating.
I went on one outing the entire time I was there, and I didn’t go on another because it was awful. It was a trip to target, and we weren’t allowed to be out of sight of an RC. Which means the entire group had to go from aisle to aisle for everyone to get what they needed. It took FOREVER. When I got back, my bags and wallet were searched like a criminal.
• Would you recommend this program?
I’m unsure. It has potential, but I wouldn’t recommend it until they get their shit together.
• What level of activity or exercise was allowed?
• What did people do on weekends?
Almost nothing. It was really boring. There were outings, but I only went on one because they were so frustrating to go on.
• Do you get to know your weight?
No, you don’t know your weight, your rate of weight gain, your goal weight, or even your meal plan. Everything is handed over to the dietitian. Honestly, the dietitian appointments were kind of useless in residential because you had such little control or knowledge of what you ate.
• How fast is the weight gain process?
It was fairly aggressive. About 2-3 pounds/week. I can’t speak for others, but my goal weight was higher than it had been at any other place. I had never been higher than a BMI of X in my life, but they made me get to a X BMI. (about a X pound difference)
• What was the average length of stay?
It’s completely up to insurance. Anywhere from 5 days to 5 months. I was in residential for 6 weeks, PHP for 5 weeks, and IOP for 4 weeks. I transferred to an IOP program at home. I was about average.
• What was the average age range?
18-65. About half were college-aged.
• How do visits/phone calls work?
For visiting, my family was allowed to come for 2 hours on Sundays. We were given a room for privacy. I only did this once.
Phone calls needed to wait until you were at the apartments.
• What is the electronics policy? (ex: cell phones, iPods, Kindle, laptop, tablets)
You could have your cell phone and computer at the apartment, but you couldn’t bring it to the center. Which means we could only have them between 9:00 PM to 8:00 AM.
• Are you able to go out on passes?
Generally no. I only saw one person go on a pass the entire time I was there, and it was for an extenuating circumstance.
• What kind of aftercare do they provide? Do they help you set up an outpatient treatment team?
Yes
• Are there any resources for people who come from out of state/country?
Most people came from out-of-state, as did I.
• Other?
If I ever had to do treatment again, I wouldn’t go back. I’m unsure if I would recommend OPC. It has the potential to be amazing if they could only get its shit together. There were just too many errors, confusion, and mishaps. I also couldn’t handle being treated so terribly by staff again.
**Numbers removed per site policy, sorry!**
I have been to OPC twice and I believe it is the best place you can be if you have an eating disorder. The staff is wonderful and truly cares about you and wants you to get better. I have found the other patients there to be very welcoming and supportive people. The facility itself is beautiful as well. I thought most of the groups were very well done and I really like the way they do meals, it’s not like an inpatient program at all, more like a group of friends all sitting down to a meal together. It really helped me and I think it can help a lot of others too.
curious when you were here last? did you do the step-down program?
Hi there! I would love to hear more comments if possible…have been in several treatment centers and am a middle-aged woman once again seeking out a LONG-LASTING recovery! Is there anyone who is willing to share more about their experience? I would be so grateful…
Level of Care – Residential, PHP and IOP
When were you there: October – December 2018 in Residential
How many patients on average? – 16 – 20 clients
Does it treat both males and females? If so, is treatment separate or combined.- To my knowledge, they treat biologically female patients.
How often do you see a medical doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist (therapist), nutritionist, etc? – You see the nurse practitioner 1x a week, the psychiatrist 1x a week, your therapist 4x a week (45 min sessions), and your nutritionist 1x a week (15-30 min session). If you have OCD and need to see the OCD therapist, that will replace 1 of your sessions each week with your therapist.
What is the staff ratio to patients? – 4 – 6 clients to 1 staff member, typically. They usually have 3 – 4 recovery coaches (RCs) on shift depending on the day (weekends there are more RCs, weekdays there are fewer but there are more therapists around). When at the apartments its 3 – 5 clients to one RC.
What sort of therapies are used? (DBT, CBT, EMDR) etc? – Many different modalities (see groups). Individual sessions are conducted mostly in CBT I believe. All of the therapists are also trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD/trauma work.
Describe the average day: 6AM – 6:45 – Wake up, bathrooms are unlocked from 6 – 7:20, you can shower and you get blind weighed Wed, Fri, Sun. 7:30 – Breakfast at the apartments (we live in apartments that are about 10 mins away from the center, 3-5 clients live in each apartment)…we get 30 mins for breakfast. 8:15 – leave for OPC, night RCs drive you in mini vans. 8:30 – 9:30 – morning meds and vitals. 9:30 – 10:30 – Group. 10:30 – 11 – Break, bathrooms and morning snack. 11 – 12 – Group. 12 – 12:30 – Break, portioning for lunch (if a self portioner), bathrooms. 12:30 – 1 – Lunch. 1:30 – 5 (M-Th, 4:00 on Fridays) – Individual Sessions with your therapist/dietitian (3:00 – 3:15 is afternoon snack). 5-6 – MWF we have movement group (see below), TuTh we have a regular therapy group. 6-6:30 – Break, portioning for dinner (if self portioner), bathrooms. 6:30 – 7:15 – Dinner (45 mins for dinner). 7:30 – 8 – Bathrooms, closing circle, wait for night RCs to arrive. 8:15 – leave for apartments, night RCs drive you back in the minivans and stay with you overnight. 8:30 – 11 – you have nurses coming around for night meds and check ins, you have to have night snack by 10:45, but otherwise the time is unstructured and you can do what you want to at the apartments. Phones have to be turned in at the apartments around 8:00 AM, they’re left at the apartments during the day (with other electronics), and you get them back when you get back to the apartments at night.
What were meals like? – They were pretty casual, a lot of table games are played. Sleeves have to be rolled up at the table, no blankets or jackets.
What sorts of food were available or served? – All different types. If you don’t eat red meat or fish you’ll get a LOT of chicken. Other than that we’ve had pork loin, turkey and Brie sandwiches, salads, pasta, shrimp dishes…there’s a lot of salmon served. They try to vary the cuisines as well so you’ll have a wide variety of flavors. There’s always an optional side and dessert offered with lunch and dinner. On Wednesdays they do lunch outings to local restaurants (Panera, Chipotle, Shake Shack, Thai food, Dennys, Pei Wei, etc.). Breakfast food is on a rotation that varies between cereal, English muffins with a spread (cream cheese, PB, AB, Nutella), Bagels with a spread, egg and cheese biscuits, and waffles…everything except egg biscuits are served with a dairy (yogurt, cottage cheese) and a fruit of your choice. Coffee and caffeinated tea is available at breakfast (if you’ve completed your meals the day before). Coke and Diet Coke are available at lunch or dinner if you haven’t had coffee or tea in the AM (I.e. you can have one caffeinated beverage per day), if you’ve completed your meals the day before/up to that point. Every Sunday we have pizza for dinner back at the apartments.
Did they supplement? How did that system work? – No supplements. You either eat, or you don’t. They have replacement meals (chicken pot pie, vegetarian lasagna) if you really hate what’s being served.
What is the policy of not complying with meals? – No outings, no movement groups, no coffee/tea/soda.
Are you able to be a vegetarian? – Yes. Not vegan though. Expect a lot of tofu and veggie patties.
What privileges are allowed? – You can have your phones and other electronics at the apartments. Coffee/Tea/Soda is served 1x per day at your discretion. Movement groups 5x a week. Outings.
Does it work on a level system? – Only movement is on a level system.
How do you earn privileges? – Eat your food for caffeine, movement and outings. You can have your phones and electronics regardless.
What sort of groups do they have? – They have a ton of different groups, 3 per day usually. Body Image, Process group (traditional group talk therapy), CBT, DBT, Treatment Planning, Shame & Resilience, Nutrition (you alternate each week between a talking group and a cooking group), TO sharing (TOs are therapeutic opportunities, aka journal prompts your therapist gives you to help with your process), ACT, Relapse Prevention, Art therapy, Expressive therapy, Life Skills, Weekend Planning (your weekends are planned for you already, so it’s a weird group), Mindful Stress Relief, Community group.
What was your favorite group? – Shame & Resilience. It definitely helped with my process a lot while I was there.
What did you like the most? – I loved the nutrition model, they are trying to get you to a place where you can eat intuitively…not off of a meal plan. The caffeine during the day is great…it was a huge extrinsic motivator for me and others to complete meals. The fact that you can have your phone at the apartments – it definitely helps you feel like you aren’t being cut off from the world.
What did you like the least? – No matter how far along you are in your process, you don’t get bathroom privileges – they’re always locked, you’re under obs when you go, and you can’t flush. Also, the groups tend to get a bit redundant.
Would you recommend this program? – Definitely. The bathroom thing aside (which you get used to anyway), the program is great. Most of the staff is wonderful, and there’s a lot of support.
What level of activity or exercise was allowed? – A surprisingly large amount (if you eat your food), and depending on what movement level you were on. If you don’t eat, or if you’re on medical observation (if your vitals are off, or something like that) you are on 0 movement. If you’re compliant you can be on movement level 1 – 3, with 1 being the lowest amt of movement. Level 2&3 can do the most, and there’s pretty much no difference between the two levels. Levels 1 – 3 participate in yoga 2x a week (Mon & Sat), Stretching and Strengthening 1x a week (Wed), Hip Hop or Yoga Rhythmics 1x a week (Fri), and Dance/Movement Therapy 1x a week (Sunday).
What did people do on weekends? – The schedule on the weekends is pretty much the same as the week, except the large amount of time in the afternoon devoted to individual sessions during the week is allocated to the outings. One outing per week is a “sitting†outing (movies, nails, ceramic painting, etc.), and one is a “movement outing†(going to the beach, Mall, Target/Michaels, etc.). On Sundays we got to leave the center at 6:00 instead of 8:00 to go back to the apartments for pizza night. Weekends are pretty chill. If you don’t want to (or can’t) go on outings you can stay back and nap, read, knit, etc.
Do you get to know your weight? – Nope. They’ll tell you if you’re in your range or not.
How fast is the weight gain process? – It varies for everyone if you’re on a gain plan, it’s pretty gradual though from what I’ve seen.
What was the average length of stay? – 7 – 9 weeks, I’ve heard they like to keep clients for at least 6 weeks.
What was the average age range? – 18 – 50
How do visits/phone calls work? – Visitors can come when you’re not in programming or in individual sessions, but they typically like them to come on Saturdays or Sundays during the outing times in the afternoon (3 – 6 PM). They have “Family Fridays†once a month too, which they definitely encourage family or loved ones to come to.
Are you able to go out on passes? – Yes, if your insurance approves them in advance.
What kind of aftercare do they provide? Do they help you set up an OP treatment team? – They want you to step down to their PHP and IOP, so they’ll definitely push that hard, but if you don’t want to they’ll help you by communicating with your program of choice. I’m sure they would help you set up an OP team if your intention was to step down to that level of care without going through PHP or IOP though.
Are there any resources for people who come from out of state/country? – Not really sure what this question refers to, but I’m sure they do? Most of the clients come from out of state. They take people from other countries as well.
Other? – The only other thing is that most of the previous reviews are outdated at this point because there’s only one Res house right now, Rosada. When OPC was bought by Monte Nido, MN consolidated the staff and resources into one house with more clients, instead of the three houses mentioned in previous reviews.
Do they offer soymilk? What was the admissions process like?
No soymilk when I was there. I’m not sure if they’d make an exception if you had a dairy allergy or not. While I was there, they just gave out lactaid pills to deal with any sensitivity…
Admissions process to OPC was easy for me as I was coming from a Monte Nido PHP/IOP facility. My primary therapist handled all of the logistics. They operate under Monte Nido admissions, so I’m assuming it’s similar to what I experienced going through there. I placed an inquiry on the website and someone got back to me within a few hours (which was crazy). The admissions coordinator gave me a call and we discussed my symptoms and behavior use, and asked me what levels of care I was looking into (ultimately they’ll make their own recommendation). She then sent me a bunch of forms to fill out (insurance, personal history, medical clearance, provider release forms). After they get the forms they talk to your outpatient team (if you have one), and determine what level of care to recommend. OPC can theoretically take up to 24 clients, and I don’t think they often hit that capacity so I’m sure it’s relatively quick to get an admission date once you go through all of the logistics. My whole admissions process to MN PHP/IOP took about 2.5 – 3 weeks.
thank you so much for your recent review!!! I was/am considering going.
Anon-
few questions:
– do you mind me asking your age (or age range)? b/c i would be on the “older side”
– have you been to other programs, and if so how would you compare this one ie sounds like you liked OPC so just curious – and what made it better- if you have been other places ?
– how skilled did you find the therapists that did the individual therapy- b/c I’ve found i got a lot out of ind. therapy at another place (w/ the right person of course) and i like that they have it so often. Did you get much out of it or more from groups? ‘(again asking b/c id be on old side!!!)
– Where did you go when you left residential? to home treatment team or anther program?
and did you leave b/c you felt/ were ready to leave for other reasons?
– Do you have any idea what weight % you have to get to in residential (100%?) before you can go to lower level if your are continuing there and insurance NOT dictating it (i know they take other thing into account as well) so are people still gaining in PHP for example as i would assume.
– and why did you choose not to do the step down program there? do you know if many people stay to do it?
-lastly do you know what weight chart they use to determine your goal weight? (ie the standard 100 for 5 feet and 5 pounds for each inch over ?) or is it more individual and they take person’s history into account? any idea. And i assume they tell you what they expect they the your ideal weight is – what they want you to get to when your admitted right?
bc you said they don’t tell you your weight- but in your in range to not- can you clarify – ie are you expected to gain a certain amount each week for example? thanks
– oops one more food question – think they used to “supplement ” with homemade shakes/ smoothies- but it seems it now eat food served/ the other food option or not at all? correct?
oh- and i have soy milk question too as person above- thanks so much! Hope you’re doing well. And yes, the caffeine would be an incentive for me too!!!
Hi there, OP here. Sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you….but to answer the above questions:
My age range – 26 – 35. There are usually a handful of middle-aged women in the milieu. Apparently after I left, someone in their 70s admitted to the program. The milieu and program is accepting & welcoming of everyone, regardless of age (at least when I was there).
I’ve only been to Monte Nido programs (PHP and IOP), so I don’t really have much to compare it to. Though when I was in PHP, I was comparing programs with a few people that came out of one of the Monte Nido Residential Programs and they said that OPC sounded great because you got to leave the center and go on a lot more outings. Also at MN Residentials, they don’t let you have your phones or electronics for the most part (though apparently that’s changed now at Laurel Hill), and you get free use of them at the apartments with OPC.
The therapists were a mixed bag. I liked mine, but didn’t find her particularly helpful – she was good to talk to though. Overall I’d say my individual sessions were more helpful than the groups. Groups involved a lot of work sheets, which I find mind numbing…and unless you have a chatty track group, the groups can be pretty quiet with a few people doing most of the talking.
When I left, I went to a Monte Nido PHP/IOP back home. I left because I was ready to leave, had come fairly close to weight restoration, and had gotten pretty much what I needed to get out of the program.
In an ideal world you would get to 100% weight restored in the res program, but obviously insurance dictates the timing of step downs for most people. There were still people weight restoring in PHP, and I had a bit more to go when I got to PHP.
I didn’t chose to step down there because I just really wanted to go home. I have my own apartment in another city, and didn’t want to pay to live at the OPC apartments for PHP (though on a case by case basis they can either waive the fee, or reduce it significantly). Additionally, I had a FANTASTIC team from my first stay in PHP/IOP at the Monte Nido I went to, and wanted to continue my care with them, closer to home. I’ve heard good things about the OPC PHP/IOP Program though, and probably 75% of the women in res step down to OPC’s PHP/IOP when they’re ready…at least for a little while.
They mostly take your history into account when they do weight restoration. It’s definitely individualized. They didn’t tell me what weight they wanted me to get to…they keep it pretty mum. Depending on the amount of weight restoration needed, you can expect 0.5lb – 3 lbs per week. But again, they don’t tell you your weight…so that’s just an estimate.
Correct, there are no supplements…you either eat or you don’t (after some point they will send you inpatient if you aren’t eating). If you are on a high meal plan, they may make the optional side or dessert mandatory for you and/or they’ll make your portion sizes bigger and/or they’ll have you eat a 4th snack at some point during the day.
There was no soy milk while I was there. They’re really big on prescribing lactaid pills for anyone who has a dairy intolerance.
When were you there: I’m here now. I’ve been here for a couple weeks.
How many patients on average? Up to 12 per house. There are 3 houses and you’ll be assigned to one. This is where you’ll do therapy during the day. In my house, there’s 10.
Does it treat both males and females? If so, is treatment separate or combined. Just females.
How often do you see a medical doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist (therapist), nutritionist, etc? Therapist is 4 days a week, nutritionist once a week and the others also once a week plus treatment tem meeting where you see them all at the same time on Wednesday.
What is the staff ratio to patients? About 1 staff per 4 patients.
What sort of therapies are used? (DBT, CBT, EMDR) etc? Relapse prevention, CBT, art, yoga, process, mindfulness.
Describe the average day: LOTS of free time. In the afternoon, there’s nothing unless you have an individual. This is from 1:00-6:30, but if you’re approved, from 5-6 there’s a movement group. In the morning there’s 2 groups with a snack in between.
What were meals like? You have no choice for lunch or dinner but you choose your dairy and fruit for breakfast on most days. 45 minutes for dinner, 15 for snacks (3 snacks a day) and 30 for breakfast and lunch. Breakfast and night snack is at the apartment you stay at with staff and up to 4 other patients.
What sorts of food were available or served? Breakfast is a one week rotation. English muffin, bagel, waffle, surprise breakfast, breakfast sandwich… Everything else is completely random. Snacks you choose from a snack sheet. Example: banana + nutella, apple + peanut butter, fig newtons, ice cream, or wheat crackers and cream cheese.
Did they supplement? How did that system work? No supplements. Just can’t go on daily outing or do the next movement group.
What is the policy of not complying with meals? See above.
Are you able to be a vegetarian? Yes.
What privelages are allowed? Movement and daily outing.
Does it work on a level system? No, it’s just for the movement levels. But not really.
How do you earn privelages? Comply with the program. Attend groups, complete meals, take meds…
What sort of groups do they have? Relapse prevention, CBT, relationships, art, process.
What was your favorite group? Meditation.
What did you like the most? Sleeping.
What did you like the least? Terrible staff. Very uncaring and just there for money. They make you feel so unimportant. Never have time for you. And the DRAMA between patients.
Would you recommend this program? Probably not.
What level of activity or exercise was allowed? Yoga, strength with dumbbells, eventually hip hop.
What did people do on weekends? There was a longer outing but other than that 2 groups in the morning and meals.
Do you get to know your weight? No.
How fast is the weight gain process? Not sure. Individualized.
What was the average length of stay? Minimum of 6 weeks.
What was the average age range? 18+ but most are about 20.
How do visits/phone calls work? At the apartments you can have your phone/computer. At the center there’s a community computer. And a community phone. Visits are 3 hours on weekends and on weekdays, whenever you’re not in session.
Are you able to go out on passes? Yes.
What kind of aftercare do they provide? Do they help you set up an OP treatment team? They have Residential, PHP, TLP, IOP, and OP.
I know you said you can have your phone and computer at the apartments, but does that mean only when you’re in PHP?
Level of care (IP, Resi, IOP, PHP, etc): Resi/PHP, TLP/IOP (TLP is their transitional living program where you have programming 5 days a week either during the day or night)
When were you there? March 2016 – September 2016
Is it co-ed? Only women
How many patients were there? There are three houses (Rosada, Azul, and Verde) and each house accepts up to 12 patients
What was the admissions process like? My admission process was a little different, since I was coming from another treatment program. But the treatment center that I was at called OPC and checked my insurance. Once I heard back from them about that, I had my assessment over the phone a few days later, and got my admit date soon after that
Describe the average day:
8 am: breakfast at the apartments (you have breakfast with your roommates and an RC, recovery coach)
9 am: go to your respective house (Rosada, Azul, or Verde)
9:30 am: group
10 am: morning snack
11 am: group
11:45 am: “pre-post group” before lunch (an RC tells you what the meal is, and you go around and say your hungry level using the hunger/fullness scale and your intention for the meal)
12 pm: lunch and “post-meal group” (you do the same thing that you did in pre, but report your fullness level on a hunger/fullness scale and report if you met your intention)
1:30 – 4:15: individual sessions with your treatment team/outing (you have individual therapy 4 days a week, dietician sessions 1 day a week, and treatment team 1 day a week) *Treatment team is basically where you meet with your therapist and another member of your treatment team and talk about how things are going*. Outings are daily and are 45 minutes long. Two days are a park outing, another is shopping, another is Target, and I’m blanking on what the other one is.
5 pm: group/movement (yoga is twice a week)
6 pm: dinner
8 pm: go back to the apartments
What were meals like? The meals are actually really good, in my opinion. It’s a lot of different options, which I liked. And everyone’s meal plan was individualized, which I found very helpful.
What sorts of food were available or served? Did they accommodate for dietary needs or vegetarians/vegans? There were various different types of food – soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta, etc. There were many different options. There was a side and dessert with every meal (lunch and dinner), but it’s optional unless it’s a part of your meal plan.
Did they supplement? How did that system work? They don’t supplement. If you don’t complete, you can’t have caffeine for 24 hours, can’t do movement for 24 hours, and can’t go on outings for 24 hours.
What privileges are allowed? Once you get to PHP, you can start going on passes.
Does it work on a level system? No, but movement is on a level system. See more below for that J.
What sort of groups do they have? So many different groups… CBT, DBT, ACT, cooking group, family and relationships, shame and resilience, body image, relapse prevention, art therapy… So many others that I’m forgetting at the moment.
What was your favorite group? Probably art therapy or cooking group
What did you like the most? The same group of girls and the overall compassion all the same has for every single patient
What did you like the least? I can’t think of anything to be honest
What level of activity or exercise was allowed? They are on a level system for movement. Level 0 is just your admission today and you can’t do movement, and then there are levels 1 – 5. No one ever gets to level 5, I’m not even sure what it entails. Level 1 and 2 can do yoga or the strength training class, but depending on your level, you can only do certain poses. Level 3 can do yoga, strength training, and hip-hop. Level 4 can do everything, and go on movement passes outside of program.
What did people do on weekends? It’s a lot of downtime. There’s some groups and a longer outing on Saturday and Sunday. People will journal, read, knit/crochet, do puzzles, arts and crafts, or work on TO’s. TO’s are therapeutic opportunities which are basically journal prompts your therapist gives you every week. They are super individualized and are tailored to what you are working on in sessions. I personally found them really helpful, and still look back at them when I’m struggling. Every Saturday night is pizza night and every Sunday night is dinner outing.
Do you get to know your weight? No
How fast is the weight gain process? It’s really slow, which was a lot easier for me compared to other treatment centers I’d been to.
What was the average length of stay? It really depends. I was there for 6 months (4 months in residential/PHP and 2 months in TLP), but I’ve heard the average is about 3 months.
What was the average age range? Mostly girls in their 20’s, but when I was there, there were some patients in their 30’s
What kind of aftercare do they provide? Do they help you set up an OP treatment team? If you have an outpatient team, they will have been communicating with them weekly throughout your stay so the transition home is really smooth. If you don’t have an OP team, they will help you find a team in your area.
Would you recommend this program? Absolutely 100%!
I think OPC has a good program intention and there are a lot of positives to the philosophy of treatment here. For example: living space and treatment space are separate, staff at all meals, therapy everyday, comprehensive team at the center that you meet with individually every week, and in general the other women that I met were very kind and nice. Unfortunately, my experience there was not very good. I had 5 different therapists in a three week time period (one left, another was on vacation for 2 weeks, and then during that time I was tossed between three other therapists) While I did not expect to have any therapeutic break throughs while I was there, because I was mainly there for nutritional therapy and balance, it would have been nice to feel supported by the staff through that process. My experience was quite the opposite from feeling supported though 🙁 I was misunderstood by most of the staff, however there were a few that I was eventually able to connect with. And the RCs (recovery coaches), that are a HUGE part of treatment, as they are the one with us everyday (24/7) were on a spectrum from really helpful to actually very hurtful. I had a really bad experience and was threatened by one of the RCs that was VERY unprofessional and really unacceptable (unfortunately the was the head RC of the house I was in, so that sucked). Fortunately, I came in ready and willing to do the work, even if hating the fact that I was in a treatment. I think no matter where you end up at treatment, knowing that nothing is going to be prefect and knowing what you need to do (or at least be willing to take on the things you are afraid of) is what will ultimately lead you to a successful recovery.
I do think my experience there was not very good, not very supported and thankfully rare. The other girls in milieu were not tossed around to different therapists and in general had more support because of that. Its unfortunate that it wasn’t a positive treatment experience, however that is totally shadowed by the fact that I am finally after 15+ years of struggle and in recovery, so at least it was successful. And I’m proud of myself for taking all the adversity that I experienced in treatment, all the obstacles that were placed in my way (to make treatment, something that is hard enough even harder) and was able to come out in a much better place… so while I can’t really say I am thankful to OPC, I can say I thank them for making me realize my strength and my ability to have recovery despite the other shit that happens in life.
PS. A funny side note that pretty much sums up some of my experience there: the aftercare provider called me a couple weeks after I returned home and had my name wrong, she asked for me (calling my personal cell) with the wrong name! The whole time I was there, very few people actually saw me for me, and thats why I say the aftercare provider calling me by the wrong name summed up my treatment experience there.
Was there from May-July (left early)
Am happy to answer any questions that pertain to treatment or schedule at OPC
Would they ever court order someone to stay there who wanted to leave early against medical advice?
Do they share weights with you? And what they set weights at? Is is true that they way overshoot some people?
Could you do a comprehensive review of the food/ meals/ snacks/ supplements/ dining out/ cooking groups/ ordering in/ grocery shopping/ etc? How do they deal with preferences, vegan/ vegetarian, and allergies/ intolorences?
Could you post and updated schedule inc things like outing options, massage, dance/yoga class, etc.? Can you get on an individualized exercise plan before goal weight?
How many girls per house and in the entire center? Did it feel huge? Do you have to show them before you flush if you don’t struggle with that behavior?
Who was the best therapist and dietitian? Are they hard asses there? Do you meet w/ Dr. Oliver Pyatt?
Any thing else unexpected/ surprising/ tips?
thank you!!
Sorry for the delay! It is possible one could be court ordered to stay there. But I would think that would be more likely in the adolescent facility. They really want you to want to be there. They do try to do everything they can to get you to stay though (for your best interest)
No. Weight is never shared. I never saw or suspected anything inappropriate or unethical with the dietary teams, such as purposely overshooting someones weight. I think they track many different things to figure out the bodies natural set-point.
As for the comprehensive review around food: that might be a better question for the admin to answer.
Typically there are anywhere from 4-12 women in the houses at any given time. There is not more than 12 though (or shouldn’t be). It never felt huge, but did feel a bit claustrophobic at times. Yes they will flush for you the whole time you are there regardless of behavior.
No idea about who was the best. As I alluded to in my review, I never had a steady therapist and didn’t meet with the nutritionist all that often (although that was not the norm). No never met WOP (Wendy Oliver Pyatt) not sure if she comes around all that often any more as OPC was bought out by Monte Nido this summer.
Tips: Go in willing to do whatever it takes to walk out better. Stand up for yourself, not your eating disorder.
What house were you in? Are the houses different? Do they separate by disorder? Is one house more positive then another? Do you ever meet with the Dr who started the center? On average how long are girls there for? It is a revolving door kind of place with readmits?
Sorry for the delay! There are three adult houses. They are separated by disorder. Everyone is placed based on time of admit. No Wendy Oliver Pyatt was never there. Roomer was that she was on sabbatical. The stay is at least 6 weeks, but no on was there shorter than 2-3months (except when financial situations mandated it). There were a couple readmits, although I am not sure how rare or normal that is.
Whats happens if you have to leave before the 6 weeks due to payment?
I am 45 years old and debating entering OPC. Will I be out of place with my age?
I am considering entering very soon. Did you make the decision to go?
I am a teacher and have already missed so much of my class that I have to wait until June. So my plan is to go mid June. When are you going?
May I ask how old you are?
I have decided to go. Submitted my papers yesterday. You?
I left the “Rasada” house after a brief 5 day stay in June 2017. I realized almost immediately the facility was short staffed. None of what the website implies in regards to therapuetic space is truthful. For instance, when I asked where the garden was and when we were going outside and for walks both the patients (many who had been their for months) and the staff laughed at me. I was completely mislead by this company- as it way more clinical than it made me believe during my shopping around! I highly suggest a pop-in unplanned “tour” if they can’t offer that to you- something is fishy. I have seeked out an attorney due to the unethical way I was discharged. If you feel your human rights were also violated in attempts to leave this facility (or you witnessed another patient’s rights being violated) please contact oliverpyattscams (at ) gmail.com) as we are compiling a list for class action. This place must be stopped.
Hello, I just saw your video about OP being misleading about what they offer
I actually was thinking about going there and now might re consider
Can you tell me what the patients were like? I’ve heard, the client and staff there can be snobby, cause lots of rich people go there???
I had a horrible time at opc. They did not control the Amt of weight that I had gained and I came in serve ly underweight and left clinically overweight aka an Ed pt biggest nightmare
How long were you there from? My team is pushing for me to go there and what you just posted is what I am terrified of happening? What are meals like currently? Do they serve healthy food/snacks? Are houses divided by disorder or is it random? Would you be willing to answer some questions I have directly? I know things have changed a lot since the program first open and thats when people were saying great things about the program
I was there for 4 months. They made me have a waking snack at 4 am which was horrible and never would tell me when I reached my weight range. They do serve healthy food but lots of it. I wanted so hard so love the program bc the therapy is amazing but I have been in many many treatment centers and never experienced this much weight gain even after many months. I was at Avalon a few times and they are responsible in getting ppl to weight range and keeping them there. At OPC they said lets just see where your weight goes and never decreased me
Why a waking snack?
my best guess is they didn’t worry about the weight because during recoveryit changes so much like when the edma from refeeding goes down u loss weight, and overweight by what stards that bmi charts are totally in accurate.mostly your body doesnt have to find it natural set point, to cut back on ur calories or minipulated ur body into stay a certain number is basically just ed again sorry u had a b experience i hope u can get the help u need
What is the rate of weight gain? Do they tell you how many calories you’re on? I’m sorry that happened to you… 🙁 (Hug)
What are the consequences for not completing a meal? Are the target weight ranges reasonable? Is it a voluntary program? Can you access your laptop during the day? Do you ever meet with Wendy Oliver-Pyatt? I have folks who want me to try to recover here. Thanks.
It was awful for me. If I didn’t finish the meal within time, or because I just couldn’t or refused. they remade the meal or gave me my replacement and made me sit again and eat the whole meal again, even if I had eaten 99% of the meal- and even once I had surpassed the weight every other treatment center had considered weight restored. (I gained 30+ more pounds here than they had me gain everywhere else). If I did not eat the second meal either, they sent me to the hospital. I really do not think using the hospital as a punishment is a good idea, but they said in florida you do not have to be a danger to yourself or have any specific reason, like in most other states, to put someone on a 24 hour hold. the target weight ranges are ridiculous. this will sound really mean, but it is honest, and it is something we genuinely fear and we DO experience. you know when you get there, you are scared. you assess the situation. and you see where you fit and how things are going to go for you. you typically feel like you are not as sick as others, but you also worry about the weight gain, if that is part of your program. and if there are people getting ready to discharge, you may compare and think about them compared to yourself at the end of other programs, or other people from the discharge date at other places, or how you might feel at that size. And at OPC, it is very overwhelming. The only explanation I can think of is that they are expecting you will crash and they are giving you the padding. Because everyone I was with has lost the weight. We were all horrified and dropped it as soon as we left. Many of us had to be readmitted elsewhere and were discharged at healthier, more manageable weights (though may battle with them), and others still struggle but have not gone back out of fear of treatment now. I am terrified to ever get help again. There are several others I was with who feel the same. For that reason alone, aside from the unhealthy weight gain (even my doctor told me my weight was unhealthy when I got home!), the fact that we were scared off of getting help, is a reason to go elsewhere. The fact is, people DO relapse, and DO need support. To become so scared and essentially traumatized by a place that should be safe and supportive when there really are amazing centers out there, is nonsensical. You need to be able to feel comfortable and willing to reach out for help. To answer the other questions, yes, you can access your laptop. No, you do not meet with wendy. Before you go, she will talk on the phone and say yes, you do. You can meet with her as often as you want. SHE will talk to you often before you go. Say at least once a week you can talk. I really connected with her before I was there. I spoke with her 2x the first week, then in almost a year, only spoke with her once more my last week. And is it voluntary? you do voluntarily admit, but they will fight to keep you there. If you ask to be discharged, they will threaten you. They will put you on 24 hour holds. they will say it is against medical advice so your insurance will not cover it. if your parents are involved, they will get on the phone with them and manipulate them (even if you do not have a release signed for your family if you are over 18), and yes that is illegal– and yes, when you get home, your family will feel REALLY bad. and ANGRY at OPC, and at treatment, and be afraid for you to ever go to treatment again… so maybe show this to those people who want you to go there. My family really wanted me to go there. It was maybe the only place that would take me. I was very medically compromised. The residential places would not take me until I could get more stable medically. Same for places like center for change and laureate which are inpatient with full time medical doctors and nurses 24/7 but no surgical, etc.. I was supposed to go to a medical unit. Then OPC- which is a PHP said they would, with a doctor for 15 mins. a week and no medical on staff at night- odd right? that hospitals would not but a PHP without a medical staff would, right? Do your parents really want you there? How much safer is OPC for you than being at home? If they want you safe, why not ACUTE Denver with your own complete medical staff, or monte nido, or erc, etc?
My girlfriend is there right now. She is advancing really well in the program. She has had one accidental non-completion and she isn’t allowed to go on her solo outing until she has a meeting with her team. She has had minimal access to her iPad during the day, so I would assume it would be the same for a laptop. It has its good and bad. It is voluntary, but they try to prompt you into staying for however long they think you need to be there. It needs some touch ups from an overly investigative outside, but it seems to be a good enough place as long as you are willing to work with them.
they now have a program just adolescents its called clemintine for but girls 12-17 i dont know anyone who been there you can look at there facebook page ive heard mix things about erc dont know anyone who did the children/adolescent section tho https://www.facebook.com/ClementinePrograms
I am new to this site. Does anyone have a current review?
I was there nov-feb. terrible program in my opinion and i had been out two weeks before relapsing
So sorry to hear that. Can you please tell me more why it was horrible? Anything would be greatly appreciated.
I know it’s a small program — how long is the admissions process normally?
depends on medical necessity as it isn’t always first come first served. Anywhere from 2 days to 3 weeks.
Anybody have any new updates on opc? What it is like the now?
Hi I have the exact same question. We are trying to decide between oliver pyatt or ERC.
What feedback did you receive. Our daughter is 20.
We are in the midst of trying to decide between Oliver Pyatt or ERC for our 21 year old daughter and wonder which center you chose and your experience.
which center did you end up choosing? I am in the same process for myself…
I have a 15 year old daughter with an eating disorder and I am not sure if the best option is oliver pyatt or eating recovery center of denver do you have any reviews of ERC or of clementine at opc?
The ERC for sure! The staff there is so much better and OPC is not suited for teenagers. There is not adequate supervision. If you send her to OPC, I believe you have to move there with her, or at least that used to be the case. She cannot live with the adults. This created a divide, and she will not feel included. Also, more and more research is showing that teens and adults should not be treated together. You can see info on this at the treatment center called healthy teen project in los altos, ca, which opened recently for that specific reason- because of the detriment caused to teens who are treated with adults.
Has anyone been in their adolescent program? I’m considering going into residential and if I do, that’s my number 1 at the moment..
Looking for a recent review. What’s the difference between res and PHP? Can you have a car there for passes? I’d heard you can’t. Are they strict with the 6 week minimum?
Does anyone have a current review of their PHP program? What are the differences between the PHP and Res?
Does anyone have a recent review? Possibly going here soon for residential.
When were you there: May 2012 – August 2012
How many patients on average? 10 per house (there are three houses: rosada, verde, and azul)
Does it treat both males and females? Females only.
How often do you see a medical doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist (therapist), nutritionist, etc? You see your therapist every weekday (four days are therapy, one is treatment team), nutritionist once a week, psychiatrist once a week, medical doctor once a week.
What is the staff ratio to patients? You have 1 recovery coach per every 4 girls generally. Then there are the therapists on staff.
What sort of therapies are used? (DBT, CBT, EMDR) etc? CBT, DBT, some therapists are trained in EMDR (mine was, so we did it for trauma work), massage therapy, experiential therapy, art therapy
Describe the average day: wake up and take a shower (they’re only open in the morning), breakfast at the apartments with a recovery coach at 8am, drive to the house where you have programming, labs on certain days of the week, group from 9:30am-10:30am, snack, group from 11am-12pm, lunch at about 12:30pm, free time/individual appointments/outing (with snack at 2:30pm) from 1:30pm to 4:30pm, group from 4:30pm-5:30pm, dinner at about 6pm, closing circle, back to the apartments and it’s free time and you have snack when you choose and then sleep when you are ready.
What were meals like? The meals were really great. They have great chefs. It was “family style†meaning everyone had the same lunch and dinner, with essentially the same breakfast but with variation. Lunch and dinner had pre and post meal groups, breakfast only had post meal check in. At breakfast it was you and the girls in your apartment with a recovery coach, lunch and dinner were at the house with all the girls and recovery coaches as well as another staff member. They were pretty relaxed. Normal conversation. Sometimes games when you couldn’t think of anything to talk about. Thirty minutes for breakfast and lunch, 45 minutes for dinner.
What sorts of food were available or served? All kinds of foods. I didn’t notice it on a rotating schedule (lunch and dinner, at least). We had variations of some of the same foods, but overall there was a decent variety. Wraps, sandwiches, pastas, soups, salads, and a lot more. You can request certain foods too and sometimes they can incorporate it. Breakfast rotated: Monday – waffles, Tuesday – English muffins, Wednesday – bagels, Thursday – cereal, Friday – biscuit sandwich and juice, Saturday – surprise, Sunday – cereal, and you always chose a dairy (milk, yogurt, cottage cheese), fruit (whatever they had, and you could tell them what fruit you like to put on the grocery list), and spread (Nutella, peanut butter, butter, cream cheese). Snacks were the same list everyday: banana and Nutella, apples and peanut butter, cheese and crackers, apples and cheese, graham crackers and peanut butter, bakery item and milk, twix/reeses/snickers and milk, ice cream, chocolate covered pretzels (MY FAVORITE!!), yogurt covered pretzels, and there was always a snack special of the week.
Did they supplement? How did that system work? They didn’t supplement unless you had a high meal plan and then you could at a smoothie.
What is the policy of not complying with meals? You don’t get to go on the outings for 24 hours.
Are you able to be a vegetarian? Yes.
What privileges are allowed? You can always have your computer and cell phone, they just can’t be used during groups, sessions, and meals. There’s an outing every day. During the week it’s shorter outings to like CVS, Target (always on treatment team day), park, barnes and noble or another store at the shops nearby. Weekends it’s longer outings to like the movies, botanical gardens, painting pottery, whatever y’all decide on as a group. You can do yoga up to 3x a week if you are medically stable, and then if you get to a certain movement level you can do hip hop class. You can do a lot of individual outings for challenging yourself, too. Oh one thing with residential: You never get your bathrooms unlocked, you’re always monitored. You can have one caffeinated beverage a day, either coffee at breakfast or soda (they allowed diet soda, too) at lunch. Starbucks on Sundays.
Does it work on a level system? There aren’t levels aside from movement levels which is so individually decided. But you pretty much have all privileges, and then there are ones tailored for you and your treatment. OPC takes a very individualized approach.
How do you earn privileges? You don’t necessarily “earn†them. You can lose outing privileges if you don’t complete, but everything is evaluated on an individual basis.
What sort of groups do they have? DBT, CBT, Body Image, Psychodrama, Art Therapy, Self Defense, Shame Resilience, Spirituality, Music and Meditation, Yoga, Mindful Eating, Relapse Prevention, Cooking Group, Family and Relationships, Interpersonal Process Group
What was your favorite group? I really enjoyed Art Therapy with Ilene, Cooking Group with chef D, and Self Defense was so kick ass
What did you like the most? I really appreciated their philosophy of intuitive eating. That was so beneficial for me. You start out with your meals plated but eventually move to plating your own meals and snacks and listening to your hunger cues. I was always so rigid with my meal plans. And I was so quick to discard it if I felt I’d messed up. It’s so much more applicable to life. I don’t classify food as “good†or “bad†anymore, I eat what I want and when I want it. I liked that the program took place at a house separate from where you slept so you didn’t get as stir crazy.
What did you like the least? I’m so weird about bathrooms that the bathrooms always being monitored was really difficult for me.
Would you recommend this program? I would 100% recommend OPC. It was individualized treatment in a homelike setting with amazing staff. I felt so cared for and supported. You get out of a treatment center what you put into it, and OPC was a great fit for me. I feel like it saved my life.
What level of activity or exercise was allowed? Yoga 3x a week, Hip Hop on Fridays (if you’re Level 4), you can also individually go to a gym or take a dance class somewhere if you talk to your treatment team about it
What did people do on weekends? Weekends were less structured, with longer outings. Also, Saturday night was pizza night at the apartments and Sunday night was a restaurant outing. You can go on passes if it’s approved by your team (but that can also happen any day of the week).
Do you get to know your weight? Nope! And it is so much better that way.
How fast is the weight gain process? I literally have no idea.
What was the average length of stay? It varies so much, but minimum stay is 6 weeks. Most people are there at least three months.
What was the average age range? I would say 20s, but I also met people up to their 50s.
How do visits/phone calls work? There’s family Friday once a month which is when family tends to visit, but they can visit any time. There aren’t specific visiting hours, just whenever you aren’t in group or session. You can even arrange meals with family. Phone calls are also whenever you’re not busy, since you get your cell phone at all times.
Are you able to go out on passes? Yeah! I did individual passes like a shopping mall and lunch, bookstore, cooked breakfast for myself at the apartment one morning after everyone left, ate pizza by myself one night at the apartment. I had a recovery coach take me jean shopping, went to Whole Foods and got lunch to bring back to the house, went for Mexican Food, Ice cream, Cupcakes with the dietitian. I went to a movie with my parents, day pass to South Beach (Lincoln Road) with my parents. It’s so individualized, so you get to do what’s helpful for you.
What kind of aftercare do they provide? Do they help you set up an OP treatment team? I already had an outpatient team, but they helped me find groups and stuff. You can do IOP there and transitional living. They have a 4-day a week and 2-day a week IOP, in the afternoons and evenings. Also, they now provide regular outpatient.
Are there any resources for people who come from out of state/country? Yep, they’re good at coordinating.
Other? You live at apartments that house four girls each, but there’s always a recovery coach there with you (even through the night). During the day you go to your house for programming where all the staff will be.
I went there and had a very bad experience. They minimized severe medical problems (the doctor said previous doctors I had seen were wrong in their diagnoses) and so failed to treat them. Finally I was released- I am not sure if I was better or worse in their eyes, but they never did follow ups. I was much worse, in the hospital within days… after hundreds of thousands of dollars spent there.
Hi. I’m on the wait list for OPC. Thank you for your candid review. The things you wrote were extremely helpful in my attempt to not chicken out. I do have a few questions for you…don’t know how this works but could I ask you a few things privately? Email me through this means if you’d like, or message me. Thank you!
Any detailed recent reviews? Thank you SO much!
Would anyone be able to provide a recent review? Specifically, what the rules are like and what is or isn’t allowed (cell phones, computers, bathroom privacy, shaving, not finishing meals) and what the repercussions are for certain behaviors. Do you wake up the sam time every day? Are you allowed personal and free time and if so, to do what?
Thanks!
how far in advance should you apply? how quick is admission?
I would not recommend OPC for someone looking for a truly lasting and strong recovery. OPC is a revolving door if you want to spend the rest of your life being immersed in treatment as opposed to being able to live life with no ED.
I was there within the past year for 3 months. I struggled at the beginning of my stay amd was encouraged to “trust the process” and give it “110% 100% of the time” and very generic statements like that that permeated the walls. Being a perfectionist and strong need to please and fear of failure, i found i got better feedback when i pretended to be okay and gave feedback in groups etc. When i mentioned that it was reverting to an old familiar role for me, no one wanted to hear that. So i convinced myself that i was okay and if i was unhappy its because i was choosing to be. That was so reinforced that i actually believed that until i left the bubble and realized that i had accomplished absolutely nothing therapeutically there even though i went in with very specific goals. The topics i came in with, including trauma history, once i told my therapist the story she thought the work was done and said she doesnt know what other work i want to do around them. So i asked my therapist back home for help and so my primary at opc was offended and that didnt end so pretty.
I found the way they related to patients was very different….some they completely babied and became like gods to them and gave them everything they asked for, and some they just said no for the heck of it. (ie they let you aks for special cereal. I asked for one my 2nd week there and kept asking fir it and it never came. Others got theirs the day after they asked for it.) the general pattern was young, anorexic, and rich…..you were golden.
Their meal plans are geared for people needing weight restoration. A tablespoon of tomato sauce in the pasta is good enough as a serving of vegetables. When i questioned that they explained that for people who need to gain it would be too much volume otherwise. So i said that they should have those not needing to gain have a normal serving of veggies bec volume plays a role in fullness. I was told thats my eating disorder. So basically my body learned to eat much more food than it actually needs and i gained weight when i didnt need to, both while i was there and after i left and kept doing what i was taught there (until i realized how much bs it was……thank god i have a team who i trust that was able to walk me thru that without having to restrict and support me in losing weight in a healthy way. But the way the food was done there definitely set me, someone who didnt need to gain any weight, up for bad results when i left.
In general i found the treatment to be very generic into their expectation of eating disordered thinking without being open to the idea that requests were coming from knowing my needs. ie my requests for individualized cooking, certain outings, were put under the “youre trying to isolate” umbrella when in fact they were things that i very much needed exposure to and the fact that i didnt have it while in residential made my transition back home very difficult. Maybe for a 19 year old who was going back to live with her parents, those things werent necessary. But being older and living on my own, i genuinely had those needs.
as far as their success rates, granted that eds have a high relapse rates, but for a center that avg length of stay is as long as theirs, and seeing ppl who were there for 6+months, im not impressed with their rates. From the time that i was there, more than half of the residents that i knew relapsed. Some couldnt afford to go anywhere else and some readmitted there and some to other facilities.
Their aftercare consists of nothing. They told me they will call me one week and one month post. They even set up a scheduked appointment when theyd call me and they never did.
The only reason im in a very solid recovery is because as much as i tried telling myself otherwise when i was there, i didnt trust them and i set up my own aftercare that consisted of much more than just iop that they recommended (they teased me about how much i was setting up…..im so thankful that i listened to my gut instead of them.) I really dont credit my recovery to them. The only reason im greatful i went is that i had 3 months of basically being symptom free so i can regain my health and mental functioning. I think other places i wouldnt have gottne such a long stay because of the game they play with insurance where php is the same as res. All of my actual therapy work was done (and continues to be processed) once I got home.
Still the mostbaffling thing to me is how they said i was ready to discharge, but when i asked two weeks before to have a trial pass to go back home for a couple of days they said i was a level 4 which means im not ready for an alone pass…..i still dont get that logic…..
I was here right before they added Azul, the third house, and I think stopped taking adolescents – I remember laws in Florida prevented adolescents from being able to stay in the apartments with the girls. The therapist I had (whom I adore and owe a lot to) is running an adolescent program with another great staff member now.
I was at OPC end of August 2011 – May 2012.
Average was full house of 10 girls, then 10 in the other house and we saw them but mostly were with our own house and staff.
4 girls per apartment, apartments were from 9 PM – 8 AM or sometime around there the next day. Long days at the center/”house” (I was in Verde, there’s also Rosada and now Azul). Most time was spent there with all 10 of the girls, the therapists and you saw the transitional and outpatient girls upstairs, and your psychiatrist, and about 4 – 5 recovery coaches at a time I think. You were with the same coaches all day, then when commuting to the apartment they’d switch at the elevators to the night shift recovery coaches. Some alternated night shifts and day shifts and some tended to be there more for just night shifts, etc.
The recovery coach with us at the apartment was awake throughout the night to check on us, also there for support to talk to if we needed it. Had to leave bathroom door cracked but surprisingly, it wasn’t as hard for me there as it has been at other places.
Bathroom’s locked at the center but got opened very often and you could always ask for it to be opened, no one was ever rude about having just asked for it recently or anything.
Good thing was therapy every day, about 45 minutes. Only on Wednesdays it was treatment team meetings instead of individual therapy, but the therapist was still there with you for that. They were very open to what we had to say and our own goals and opinions in working for recovery. As long as it wasn’t your eating disorder talking, they were flexible.
Psychiatrist was also once a week unless there was a reason to see you again that week or an issue. Nutritionist was once a week, doctor once a week, nurse once a day. Everyone was around though for the most part.
No EMDR, but psychodrama and self-defense were great for me for releasing trauma, fairly severe. Also had lots of group outings which helped me with just getting back to normal, reintegrating in life after hospital treatment and seeing there was happiness beyond that dark place I had been in with my eating disorder for so long.
Yoga was spiritual and I don’t think the therapist who was there teaches it anymore (I really liked her) but they still have yoga, probably the same type. It used to make me nervous and it actually started to help here.
Nutrition group, addictions group, process group…cooking and the chef is sweet and honest. I trust this place and would send a friend here.
Days were long, emotional, and the quick outings every afternoon helped. Weekend outings were great, we got to suggest and pick and it was very flexible. Outings during the week were just park, Target, drug store, book store, and places like that. You could go on almost any level, just had to limit movement if on a low level for medical reasons.
Meals included a pre-meal quick process “group” (just held in the living room on couches) and a post-meal group that went a little more in depth, some people complained it was too much focus on the meals. Their philosophy was to get us to eventual intuitive eating which to me makes more sense than being on a meal plan the rest of your life, so it was good. They had a way of focusing on one goal at a time, so even if it feels like you’ll never get to that point, you can!
Meals themselves were sometimes challenging, but not too repetitive. Healthy fresh foods but not ED-pleasing healthy fresh, just normal healthy fresh. Sometimes I felt like too many carbs at breakfast etc. and that I had blood sugar crashes after, because even after being there for months (and this was after the hospital) my glucose was low. It was kind of frustrating because I was eating enough, and still having an issue was confusing to me.
I’ve only been to one other place though, and that was fast re-feeding for stabilization (hospital ED program) so OPC was much more realistic with the food. I had already gained (NEEDED gain) in the hospital before transferring to OPC.
We’d have salads for dinner sometimes which seems crazy for a treatment place, but I liked that we could have something and make it non-ED. These salads had some croutons or bread and dressing of course, chicken, cheese, fresh greens/vegetables. Very rarely was there fried food, fish n’ chips once – they would try to introduce fears – we always had the option of picking a replacement meal we were allowed twice per week of our choice from three replacement meal options, so if you couldn’t handle or didn’t want the meal for whatever reason you could opt out twice per week without consequence. Any more than that and it’s an incomplete which just meant no outting, having to make up the calories and with a ton of repeated offenses or just consistently not taking care of yourself you’d have to go to the hospital…mostly for self-harm or repeated refusals which were rare.
People were generally very supportive toward real recovery, of course we ALL had our own struggles throughout the process and it was nonjudgmental, very supportive environment. The peer support was probably the biggest benefit to me here, and I’m shy so don’t worry, it’ll benefit you no matter what…you may meet some of the best people you have in your life!!
No supplements but on very high meal plans, they gave smoothie options at breakfast and extra spreads or sides (your choice) and you could work with the nutritionist on condensing by changing which times you had your biggest snack, if you had bigger dense snacks rather than extra at meal time, etc. It didn’t seem too bad to me compared to the hospital, then again I never liked ensure so in the hospital I had most of my supplements through denser snacks.
You can be vegetarian. Everyone gets an exclusions list to put 5 or so things they absolutely cannot stand so it could be as random as mushrooms or a certain sour cheese, or mayonnaise or something like that.
Privledges would be extended weekend passes and trips when ready, and outting to integrate fun healthy exercise when ready, being on a level where you can leave the building at certain times without supervision sit outside go upstairs etc.
Yes levels, movement to another level is slow but none of the levels are that excluded – I think someone on level 0 was able to come with us on outings and just couldn’t exert too much energy on them, maybe couldn’t bowl. Privledges are earned just by them getting to know you, you trying.
Two things that were hard for me are the protective care they offer which is a good thing looking back, can sometimes be felt as threatening at least to me with a trauma history when they didn’t want me to leave ATA. They seemed a little quick to 72 someone in the state of Florida. A few people got sent to the hospital while I was there, then again I was there for 8 or 9 months so that makes sense with eating disorder patients since our health is compromised from our disorder…and most people were out after few days, but sometimes I did feel a bit threatened by that, like it was done too nonchalantly.
What I liked the most besides peer support was the relationship I built with my therapist. Also that many of the staff are truly recovered, and the generally happy friendly loving environment. Got me out of my shell and helped me tremendously after having been in the hospital for so long, to have that reintegration in life with the commuting from apartments and being with the girls and going out to stores shopping etc. and just getting into a somewhat normal routine!
Plus you’d get close with some of the recovery coaches and they were all there to listen, even to step aside from a meal if you’re having a hard time and help you.
A little strict about finishing on time, but kind of a good thing because you don’t want to be stuck there waiting for someone doing triggering rituals either, so it was a good balance…they pushed but not too hard. I did feel like because they cared so much, the standards were high. They wanted full recovery for me, I felt too scared in “that body.” Looking back, it wasn’t a big deal, it wasn’t the way my eating disorder saw it at the time. But sometimes I felt pushed further than I could handle, mostly in a good way, but I wonder if in some instances they had pushed LESS, it would’ve actually helped.
Other than that, this is the best place. They were very normal and flexible and treated everyone with respect, not like “patients.” Weekends weren’t too boring compared to hospital treatment, just a little more lax without as many groups…tiny bit more downtime without the therapy, but it’s nice to have a break. Dinner was more challenging on weekends though, restaurant outting Sunday and pizza on Saturday. Don’t think anyone got to know their weight. Average stay seemed 3 months to 6, 7, or 8 months. It could vary depending on what you need and your insurance. Ages seemed to be 20s, some 30s/40s but less 40s. Can have visits, cell phones anytime besides in groups, and laptops anytime besides in groups (actually got to use them for a group a few times!) they want passes to be successful so individual/alone passes take a bit longer to earn. Transitional is good but hard if you live far away. I didn’t do it. They were good about setting something else up though.
Review please?! May be headed here soon
I am going to OP in about two weeks for residential treatment and would really really love a current review!
oops – so sorry …misread “concerned” comment ….she didn’t say what i quoted ..sorry! So yes, same question as her as to how they or if they work with issues she posted as well as ocd. thanks .
sorry for mix-up …..
i had a horrible experience at OPC. There was literally no aftercare and some of the staff motivated with the use of threats. To answer some of the above questions, no you cannot smoke there at all and regarding going outside, during the day you are allowed as long as there is a staff person with you (on beginner levels). When you are on higher levels you can go in the backyard or even the front sometimes unsupervised– but you have to stay on the property.
i was a patient there for a while (recently) and it was a terrible experience. i didn’t feel supported at all. there was literally NO follow up care- they didn’t even call or email once to check in (though some girs i was with did receive calls). the staff can be very manipulative when interacting with family- telling falsehoods, saying you are doing well in order to get the family to agree for you to stay there, when in fact you are doing quite poorly. when i left, they said i was doing very well, but i actually became very suicidal and had the lowest self-esteem i had ever had in my life. though i had been there for an extended time (6+ months), and was declared to be quite stable medically, i was back in the hospital less than a week after being discharged. in addition, there were some quite unethical things that occurred, but i do not want to go into it on here.
yikes!
can you tell me more possibly …..
when you say follow- up care , what do you mean?
and what levels of the program did you do?
why were you there so long if i may ask…..besides what you report about telling your family one thing etc….
were you needing to gain a lot of weight when you went? b/c i I’ve been told the weight gain is actually slow/ more normal….so that would account for some of that time…but omg..i so sorry for your experience….anything else you could tell me would be most helpful ….my account must have been screwed up b.c i just got a notice of your today ….even though you wrote it a bit ago…
and i having some issues with even undertaking she things about their program and no ne says same thing ,,,,,and levels of care on the website is very confusing and i very confused ……
thank you for sharing your experience….b/c I’m having a hard time really getting answers ……and i dont want too say more here either ….maybe i can see if your wiling to emai me directly ….ill lok back to see how to ask b.c i ha she concerns and i need to make some decision soon and the is my last chance …..to get anything decent ….but …well id rather not post,
thanks.
I can answer. When I was discharged, it was with no coordinated aftercare. We did not have IOP or PHP set up, no therapist, doctor, psychiatrist. Once I left, they did not call to see if I was adjusting or had relapsed or to see if I needed assistance finding adequate support. Most treatment centers do not discharge you until all of that is in place. If something falls through, they help you build a new safety net.
I was there for the residential program. I was there for so long because at first I struggled with eating my meals. Also because my body was medically compromised. I was supposed to be in a hospital not residential first. Every other place told me I had to go to Denver ACUTE first. They said I was too medically compromised, but OPC said don’t worry, they said I would be fine and to just come. At the time, that won me over. Because I didn’t want to get to know the staff at the hospital and leave then settle in somewhere else. But later when my mind cleared, I could see how dangerous that was and how negligent OPC was.
Regarding weight, it’s unclear what they were doing. Lots of girls left before OPC wanted them to. They don’t leave weight restored (if they came in with AN). Those of us who stayed longer, many were over 100% IBW, we were restored past minimum, even into overweight, clinically by bmi. I love the chef and the dietitians, but that just is not good. One of my friends told me last month that she came home from there pre-diabetic. Another with high cholesterol. Both were able to correct them quickly with help from other dietitians.
Also, the person who acts out gets help. The more someone freaks out and does stuff for attention, the staff focuses on her. They do not bring in extra staff for a 1:1, instead they take regular staff to be with the attention seeker (if it were genuine emotional distress, it would be different), and that leaves 1 or 2 staff for everybody else. The program is completely messed up. The owner is stretched beyond her limits and not in touch anymore. She does not seem to care about the patients. Just about the business. She has recently joined with the Monte Nido empire. I loved MonteNido years ago, but unfortunately their quick expansion got out of control and now that they added OPC, with its director, I don’t see how these places will get back on track. Pretty devastating. So many people deserving and in need of expert and compassionate help and it seems like just as insurance may start getting better, treatment is falling apart.
regarding “Those of us who stayed longer, many were over 100% IBW, we were restored past minimum, even into overweight, clinically by bmi.”
I had that experience. I came in very underweight and left before recommendations and was overweight! They would not even tell me when I reached my maintenance level. I was so uncomfortable and freaked out when I got home. I understand that you can recover at any weight but it was a shock to me. I trusted OPC with my weight obv a very difficult thing to do when you have an ed.
Same as 2 posts above …please …….anyone?????
how are they are working with trauma and self harm issues?