http://www.providence.org/eatingdisorders
Providence/St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, Oregon offers outpatient, IOP, PHP and medical stabilization for eating disorder treatment:
- Providence Adult Eating Disorder Program (ages 18+) – Outpatient, Intensive Outpatient, Partial Hospitalization
- Providence Adolescent Eating Disorder Program (ages 13-18) – Outpatient, Intensive Outpatient, Partial Hospitalization
- In addition to their adult and adolescent eating disorder outpatient programs, Providence have a separate inpatient medical stabilization unit that usually has 2-4 ED patients at St. Vincent Medical Center. St. Vincent provides medical stabilization to both adolescents and adults with no upper limit for age.
Any reviews?? Please post below! You can check out the FAQ and Guidelines for suggested questions.
just dont go here. it ain’t it. you’ll leave with more problems.
Can you elaborate. Were you there for medical stabilization, or PHP/IOP? Adult or young adult/adolescent?
These reviews don’t give me much hope, but my specific question is regarding St.V’s treatment of ARFID. It is quite different from AN & BN and I’m concerned their treatment isn’t. Has anyone gone there for ARFID treatment? Thoughts?
I’ve been there for anorexia (as well as OCD that causes fear of food, but not quite ARFID) previously, I’m almost certain that it would not be the right fit. I don’t think the groups and interventions would be very applicable, and the meals come from the hospital cafeteria, without much ability to modify the meals. For me, there were hardly any meals I liked or even just felt okay eating, and the menus are the same options each week (you’ll select what you want within confines, and what is offered each day is different from the other days, but not weeks, so I ended up eating the same thing weekly (like dinner on Tuesday would be the same thing I’d order for next week on Tuesday). I don’t really recommend the program much for anyone, but I think for ARFID I would explore other options. That said, for anyone reading this, that the inpatient treatment at St Vincent’s is actually pretty solid and I would recommend it if anyone needs medical stabilization. Just not the PHP or IOP programs.
I have been trying to get in contact with the inpatient treatment at St Vincents, and its been extremely difficult. How were you able to get admitted?
In the past, I’ve either been admitted directly through the ER or through their php program.
If you haven’t yet, try (503) 216-2025 and say that you are looking to talk to whoever facilitates eating disorder medical stabilization for adults from out of town. If whoever you talks to says they don’t know who or that they don’t do it (sometimes this happens where some staff members who work outpatient just literally don’t know that the hospital can do it), try telling them something like this: that you talked to someone there recently and are following up, but can’t remember their name, is there someone who might be able to help you figure out? 🙂 🙂 If that doesn’t work, you can also call the main hospital admissions department and ask them how admissions works when patients have an eating disorder.
not specifically about ED stuff but relevant to this to explain why you might be having trouble getting in contact: St Vincent’s is a providence hospital and has had significant backlash recently (not the ED program specifically, the hospital as a whole) from doctors and nurses who work there and in portland writ large for overworking clinical staff, poor staffing ratios, low pay commensurate with amount of work, unsafe practices regarding staff to patient ratio, etc. and recently had one of the first doctor strikes in the country. nurses were also striking at this time. the hospital brought in scabs to cover who were unfamiliar with the hospital and patients and they were even more short staffed than usual during this time. ***
afaik the strike has ended fairly recently, so hopefully you’ll have more luck soon? just wanting to provide context.
Is there a phone number for the inpatient medical stabilization or is it only ER admits? It’s like 5 hours away from me and I don’t want to drive all the way there for them to not take me
I’m sorry I don’t have a phone number to offer. I’ve been there several times and my doctor was able to call ahead for a direct admit. It’s been a couple of years since I was last there, but at that time the ED stabilization was on the telemetry unit. I’m not sure if that’s still the case, but that might be a way for you or your doctor to contact them. I’ve gone through the ER too, but it’s much faster and simpler if your doctor can arrange the admission for you.
When I’ve went there, I was either referred by their php or went through the ER.
**TW**
Does anyone know of places that will discharge with an ng tube? My outpatient team is willing to work with me but I need nutritional support during that time for ED and medical reasons, so a short stay at a facility that could place a tube and monitor for refeeding syndrome then discharge with the tube would be ideal
Seconding AJ, where do you live? (You don’t have to be specific, region or metro area or state is fine!) And how far can you realistically travel?
Then a couple other questions that will help people be able to give recommendations:
– How old are you? (unfortunately this one is really important because a lot of places have age caps)
– Are you looking for an actual inpatient ED treatment program/ED unit, where you can get stabilized and be monitored for refeeding syndrome while doing group therapy, individual therapy, eating meals together and being in a community, or for a hospital room somewhere with doctors that are ED informed, where you can have the NG placed and then stay for the duration of refeeding while they monitor you?
The first place that comes to mind that is willing to discharge patients with NG tubes to a supportive outpatient team is the inpatient eating disorders unit at Princeton. A community member here did just that a year or two ago. You may need to be part of their harm reduction program, PISA, for this to be an option, I’m not sure.
I’m in the Pacific Northwest, willing to travel anywhere. I’m 25 so I think that’s too old for Princeton. I’m looking for literally any option. I know Denver acute could do it but they did an assessment for me and recommended tube placement outpatient (they did not however provide any resources for how to get this done)
Princeton doesn’t have an upper age limit. I’ve been there with people in their 70s. I’ve seen multiple people go home with tubes, but only g-tubes. Whether they would let you stabilize and go home with an NG I couldn’t tell you as it’s dependent on your personal situation. Worth reaching out.
Princeton doesn’t have an age cap, actually!
I wonder if Sanford in Fargo would do that.
Have you been to the medical stabilization unit at Providence Portland, OR?
I second Providence St. Vincent…although they are a general medical hospital, they do have eating disorder protocols and specializations and are well equipped to do ng tubes
Does anyone know if the hospital (not their php program) still has the ED protocol? I was there a few times 2018/2019, and the ED protocol was something that wasn’t at other hospitals. As I may need medical stabilization soon, I was hoping to find out the answer since my local hospital is not ED informed at all ?
I spoke with intake in January 2023 and the point of contact affirmed that Providence St. Vincent’s PHP participants are eligible to stay in the hospital’s guest housing facility while in program, based on availability. For information about the housing accommodations, search for Travis & Beverly Cross Guest Housing Center.
Unfortunately, they do not accept Original Medicare plans. However, they do accept managed Medicare plans.
They typically require in-person assessments for level of care recommendations.
They also offer FREE weekly, public information sessions to prospective candidates and their supports.
I hope this is helpful to someone.
Does anyone know if St. Vincent Medical Center takes patients from other states for medical stabilization? (Sarah, if you see this chime in!)
I know this question was asked 2 years ago, but here’s an update as of late November 2025:
They do take out-of-state admissions for medical stabilization under the ED protocol.
In order to admit, however, you have to have a doctor refer you. Your doctor(s) will have to send medical/clinical information and complete a consult, and the hospital will be in contact with your doctor, not the patient (even for adults 25+), for all updates relating to admission.
Has anyone been hospitalized IP at St. Vincent’s recently or since COVID? I might need stabilization here soon but I’m concerned that I won’t have the appropriate support since hospital staff is spread so thin these days with more urgent/severe medical cases. Has staff been able to follow protocol for ED patients or is it kind of a free for all, for lack of a better term? I know in non-COVID times many nurses and CNAs didn’t want to take on the ED patients because of the time and needs required and sometimes it could feel very shameful or dehumanizing when they clearly didn’t want to be there. How is it now?? And are visitors allowed?
I’ve been to this hospital for medical stabilization since I was 15 and they still use the same protocol. My recent admission was November 2019.
There is one dedicated medical floor for people needing stabilization that can accommodate up to 4 patients. Overflow is sent to another unit. If you are under 18, you are admitted to the pediatric unit.
The Protocol:
When you’re brought up to the unit, usually from the emergency department, you meet with a nurse or nurse manager and they do a full body skin check. You’re then connected to a telemetry monitor and will spend anywhere from 5-30 days in bed. You will have 2 bed alarms on that are triggered even with slight movement. When you arrive you’re on phase 1 which means no showers, wheelchair to the bathroom/pivot to the commode. You have to complete 100% of meals for 24 hours to be advanced to the next phase. You meet with a dietitian 3x a week for meal planning. If you can’t complete your meals/ snacks you are offered boost, and if you refuse boost, you either have to agree to NG tube feeds or be discharged. You won’t start off with snacks; those are added in as necessary. They can accommodate vegetarians but not vegans, at least from what I saw on the menus.
Breakfasts can be: eggs, veggie or regular sausage, bacon, soy/regular/rice milk, English muffins, pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, bagels and cream cheese, fruits and juices.
Lunches: different deli sandwiches (turkey, ham, vegetarian), chicken caesar salad, fruit platter with muffin, vegetarian stir fry, soups, tacos, grilled sandwiches.
Dinner: mini pizzas, chicken breast with mashed potatoes, oven roasted potatoes, gardenburgers, the same lunch offerings.
Snacks varied based on meal plan. It could be yogurt and trail mix, cheese and crackers, half or full PB sandwich with milk and fruit, graham crackers and PB, baked lays, string or cheddar cheese.
When you advance to phase 2 you are able to take a seated shower and can have 2 15 minute wheelchair rides per day. If you eat 100% for another 24 hours you advance to phase 3. You don’t have to be medically stable to advance–you just need to be eating 100%. On phase 3 you are allowed to be up in your room and can have 3 15 minute monitored walks on the unit. Again, unless you are passing out/too weak you will advance as long as you’re eating.
You meet with a doctor on the “indigo team” everyday and they keep odd hours, so you may not see a doctor until 6pm on any given day. They are the ones who write the orders for phase advancements. You may or may not meet with psych. You meet with a LCSW who will help coordinate your treatment after discharge. Be warned that she is quite thin and you will likely wonder if she has an eating disorder.
90% of people discharge to residential from the hospital. If not residential, that means you convinced a PHP program to take you. If not either and you’re not motivated to get better, you will become very familiar with this unit.
Center for hope of the sierras specializes in diabulimia. Most treatment centers have no idea what they’re doing when someone comes in with diabetes, which seems ridiculous to me.
This program would not even take me bc I had what the media is calling “diabulimia.” They basically said get better and then you can come. Really?! You are part of a freaking hospital. Oregon has very little to offer in terms of eating disorder treatment.
I was in this program for about 5 or six weeks and was discharged in June. Like many people before me have said, this program is for people that are already pretty much committed to getting better. When I first entered the program, i was this person. Since it was my first time in tx, however, I was exploring a lot of things about myself that I never had thought about before. While I loved the people in my groups and many of the staff, I feel as though I was not given the tools to deal with all these new feelings and problems that were coming up. My ED and depression are worse than ever now. Like I said, this is a great program for you if you feel completely motivated to rid yourself of ed. If you are still pretty ambivalent, find a different program.
I went to this program, and it wasn’t very good. The staff are not very receptive to feedback, groups are repetitive, and the program just felt very disorganized, which was stressful. There were a few staff members who I really liked, but a lot of them did not know much about eating disorders. Also, I was pushed out as soon as I got into my weight range, even though I was not doing well. Having structure is helpful, but overall this was not a very good program. I would go back only if I had no other options just to have the structure and get support from peers (which unfortunately, in Oregon, might just be the case). I did not like my primary therapist, but they stick you with someone, and you’re stuck with that person no matter what. That definitely affected my treatment negatively.
I have to agree with the fact that they have an awesome psychiatrist, Dr. ***. I am lucky enough to have him as my outpatient psychiatrist, it has made a huge impact on my recovery. I agree also that if you haven’t had treatment before, this is a good place to go. But I have been there 4 times, and this last time I ended dropping out, which isnt like me at all. I was just not engaged at all. Never challenged. Wasnt getting my needs met. It just wasnt a high enough level of care for me this last time. But I can see how if your not too far gone into your ED, that it could be possible to find success in it. I am headed to rainrock in less than 3 weeks. I have never done inpatient. But nothing else is working. I might choose to use st. vincents to transition out of there at the end.
Are you from the Portland area?? Have you considered Portland DBT as an outpatient option? I think after a few times in PHP, people are generally less engaged but I also think part of it has to do with how they revamped the program. In 2006 it seemed to run better (with only 2 therapists and Barb) because at least (I) was getting some quality therapy. Now, the new hires act as mere case managers and everything seems so rushed and disorganized. I understand that your outpatient team is supposed to do the therapeutic work, but there are stellar PHP programs out there that offer therapy and quality groups. I wish more people would complain/write grievances about this fact. Dr. Stone has skills that are not being utilized to the fullest at that place.
I was there for 6 weeks this last winter, being male and unable to leave home for an extended period of time for resi it was really my only option and I was glad to have it. I agree that it is heavily /almost exclusively group focused and if you need time with your T you really have to fight for it. I got one of the most experienced T’s there and he was awesome though I agree with what others said about some of the ones coming in from thier private practices being not good at all. At this point I am struggling again and really looking for other individuals in the portland area for support as there arent really any active groups worth a damn.
Yeah, so, all I can say is do whatever you can to find somewhere else to go. It sucks that Oregon is VERY limited with treatment options but really, if you want to get better, this is NOT the place. Majority of staff is not qualified and they are there as a second job, second to their private practices, and most do not have a good enough understanding of eating disorders to be working with this population. It seems that since they are the only Day program around, and only higher level of care for that matter compared to OP (with the exception of Rainrock which is 3 hours away, expensive, and limited to about 12 people) they know that they will have clients coming in no matter what because of not knowing what else to do or where else to go, so they don’t need to worry about improving their program to really make it effective and truly helpful. Many many people I knew there didn’t like the program and were there only because they didn’t know what else to do. And I really believe that they know it, but hey, they still their money so why change anything, right? It’s so wrong. I consider it to be a treatment mill, like what a puppy mill is, just with those of us who need help. Get us in, get the money, get us out and if you’re not “progressing fast enough” they will kick you you, as my friend believes, to make sure it doesn’t reflect on their statistics. And they don’t do any follow-up either to show how well clients do after they leave. Out of everyone I know from there, there was one, just one person, who felt she got the help she needed. It’s sad that they’re doing what they do and sort of using us in a way instead of doing their job as a treatment center. I stayed only cause it kept me eating and limited my activity during the day as did other people, but the groups suck and they don’t really do anything to help you emotionally or mentally. Get you to eat, restore weight, then off you go with all aftercare planning up to you, the exact type of treatment approach that has always infuriated me when I’ve heard such things from other people cause in my opinion, don’t try to treat us if you don’t get it. I can’t count the times I’ve been told it’s not about the weight there, and elsewhere, but then their actions say that it is about the weight when that’s what they focus on (if you need to restore). They don’t address the other stuff with you and “leave that to your outpatient treatment team”. Just please save yourself the time, money, hurt, and frustration, and find a way to get some adequate treatment.
I agree with the recent reviews of the program. I was there for a 3rd time for maybe 8 or 9 days in December following a 4 month stay at Rogers. I was discouraged by the changes in staff and the way that program was run. The “therapists” were either from another outpatient program (drugs and alcohol) or maybe hired from the street. I couldn’t tell. Their job, as far as I could tell, was to “check in” once a week and reflect back/paraphrase what you described as major flaws in management, while telling you that you’re in charge of your treatment. Groups were beyond lame and even if you had never been in treatment before, you would be offended by the elementary content of their CBT approach. It’s like they operate under the assumption behaviors are only acted upon in emotional crisis, hurtful comments, or media. I came from a center that used the exchange system but the way they did it was VERY different. I was on restoration for about 15 weeks and then at a comfortable maintenance plan where I MAINTAINED. Not to be triggering, but I need to point out the huge discrepancies. I was on 2 grains, 2 fats, a protein, a fruit, and a milk at lunch and dinner (no protein exchange for breakfast). Maybe their protein exchange was a bit higher (like 13-15 grams of protein) although I doubt it given the meals options. At partial, I was on 11 proteins, 6 fruits, 3 milks, 10 fats, 2 vegetables (not required at Rogers), and 11 grains. I complained everyday and refused to eat that on the weekends. When I did follow their plan I gained 3 pounds and when I confronted the dietitians, they told me this: “well, you’re still in your range”. I developed a huge distrust in them and that has extended to all dietitians now. At meals, they do this prayer thing and then “check out” with one thing you liked about your meal and then percentage eaten. It was a joke.
The only thing I liked about the program was the psychiatrist. He is fucking hilarious–and skilled. He visits you if you’re on the medical floor across the street. Also, the girls. They make the days bearable.
I would not recommend this program and would actually suggest Portland DBT if you are stable enough. They have an eating disorder “program” . The therapist I had was extremely skilled. I also liked the dietitian, who did more than just go over food related agenda. The 2 hour skills group is probably more helpful than all of the groups at St. V’s.
Oh my gosh Sarah, I couldn’t agree more!!! Thank you for that post!!! I feel like the program is very corrupt in more ways than I can list here, and the dieticians do NOT listen to you. And same as you, the one and only thing I liked was the psychiatrist. Other than that, a big fucking joke and it traumatized/set me back in many ways regarding treatment and trust. I’ve had other amazing treatment but in some ways that wasn’t even enough to balance out my experience at St. V’s.
If you have never had treatment before it may be okay to just start to get some footing and some structure, but most of the staff are just not knowledgeable enough to really be working with this population and certain parts of the program they have in place like with the above mentioned symptom checklist that everyone reads through during AM treatment planning group, are just not helpful. And then after every meal they go around the table and to a “check-out” where you have to say the percentage of the meal you ate and how you feel. They should just check your tray themselves rather than have you announce it to the group because they place a huge emphasis on eating 100% so if you don’t it’s very shaming. There are a couple of therapists who are alright, nothing great, a couple to stay away from (i.e. XXX and XXX) and a psychiatrist who is wonderful but that’s about it. And they are not willing to work with people individually or make appropriate accomodations because they “want to be fair to everyone in the group” since they follow a very group-focused approach; very little individual therapy and much more group involvement and encouragement to talk to the group about everything. The individual therapist is more of a case manager than an actual therapist. Dietarily, not good either. They use the exchange system which is not at all helpful and only hurtful, especially if you have never used it before; it becomes a new obsession and everyone I was there with would talk about how much they worried if they had eaten extra exchanges during the day or would obsess about measurements of food amounts to make sure it was just right… ridiculous. At least for me that’s something I’m trying to get away from, not further into! And many many of the meal options are vegan or vegetarian. I understand accomodating that for people who truly are vegetarian for religious or ethical reasons but it’s also such a big part of the ed for many people and so the dietary program is almost enabling it, especially for those who aren’t vegetarian coming into the program, you’re kind of forced to be at times if you don’t want to eat the same thing every day because there aren’t many non-veggie options! Go figure… They also allow a lot of light and fat free condiments/foods and don’t seem to recognize a lot of things as eating disordered, or do see it but don’t challenge it, so if you want ways to let your ed stick around while you’re in treatment, this is the place to go, but if you really want to challenge your ed and get better, choose somewhere else. The info that they provide before and upon entering the program looks promising and they really build it up, but it’s not all it’s hyped up to be; it’s a big disappointment. They talk the talk but don’t walk the walk. It could be a good place if they got some things straightened out. Oh, and when you admit you are assigned to a therapist and they do not allow you to switch no matter what. I won’t get into their reasoning of why because it’s non-sensical but I think it’s important to know beforehand that even if you completely clash with your therapist, even if you’re at each other’s throats, you’re stick with him or her.
Bottom line is if you’re in need of more structure and support than regular old outpatient, and inpatient or residential isn’t an option than go ahead and give it a try, or even if you’re planning on going to residential but there is a lapse in time do to a waitlist or what have you and you need something in between, go ahead. But if you have the ability to go somewhere else, do it instead of going to St. V’s. And if you’re transitioning from IP/residential to a day program to step down like I did, don’t go here because the aspects of the program that I already mentioned plus some others could quite possibly set you back and allow the ed to creep back in without you even knowing it cause ‘hey, you’re still in treatment and they don’t say anything so it must be okay…’ It’s unfortunate because stepping down or up to have the structure and planned meal and snack times is such a great option, but they just aren’t up to par with other eating disorder treatment programs available. I’ve seen people leave thinking that certain behaviors or patterns that they have are totally normal or okay- or they aren’t even aware of them- because they were never questioned or challenged, but they are things that will keep the person from full recovery unless they can be let go. It might help keep you alive or get some food in you, but then go elsewhere to really be able to do some good work. A lot of work needs to be done on this program but I don’t think they feel the need to put much time or money into doing that because they know that there is very little treatment available in Portland for eating disorders, especially when it comes to day treatment or IOP, so they will continue to get a steady stream of patients flowing in despite their under par performance which is completely unfair to those of us in need; just cause they are the only day/IOP program around the area doesn’t mean they can cut us short of what we need to get better.
Pluses: Awesome psychiatrist- only thing I liked about being there; structure to the day and somewhere to be other than alone with your eating disorder
I went to St. Vincent from 4/2008-6/24/2008 and I think it can be hit or miss. In some ways it was a life saver because it forced me to keep down some calories, however I was too far gone to deal with everything on my own. However, the counseling and groups were way more beneficial than when I attended residential.
I think it’s important to remember that PHP is for people who need help with their eating disorder but are able to function on their own—or have a family base that can help. Those who had these conditions while I was there were successful.
For me, even though St. Vincent was in no way really a cure, they were also instrumental in finding a higher level of care for me and negotiating with my insurance. For that I am eternally thankful because I can’t imagine dealing with that on my own.
**most comprehensive but please note its from 2006 so there may have been many changes
*Was there twice, both in 2006; the first time being 9 weeks, the second time 12 weeks.
*Average stay is 6 weeks. The shortest “completed” treatment (lots of non-compliance discharges) was 4 weeks, the longest was 13 weeks. It sounds long, but there are “taper” days where you spend one or more days away. There was a girl who was there for 10 weeks but only came once a week. That was a rare situation, though…
*Cost is around 900 a day or so, but the good thing is, being at a Catholic hospital, they do charity care. If you have no money, you pretty much don’t have to pay, or pay a very small amount. They don’t advertise this, but it exists. They paid for stay #2 when Kaiser ran out. If you’re from Oregon, then you can stay until you’re better, since that parity law was passed.
*It’s an IOP program, but it runs from 9am until 6:15 pm.
*Meals: breakfast at home, lunch/dinner and 2 snacks at the program. Snacks are not optional, no matter what you weigh. Meals are eaten at the hospital (cafeteria food for lunch, hospital tray food for dinner) all based on exchanges.
*Supplements: ensure for most, CIB for severe dairy allergies/other allergies–which have to be proven, of course. Any % not eaten requires a FULL can of ensure, in 3 flavors. Even if your snack was an orange, and you don’t get it down, you get an ensure.
*There’s up to 11, maybe more, people on any given day. Ave. is 8.
*Program breakdown:
9-9:59-vitals, weight
10-11-snack, treatment planning
11-group of some sort (CBT, thinking errors, relaxation/nap etc..)
12-1-picked up by shuttle, cafeteria, lunch
1:15-2-group (nutrition, health, spirituality, something)
2:30-snack/group
more groups until 5, then dinner from 5:30-6:15
Wednesdays are family group, one day is community meeting, Fridays you leave early but arrive early for breakfast at cafeteria
*What I liked…
2 therapists were really knowledgeable, nice, compassionate, the director…not so much. I got a lot from individual therapy. Not even related to ED stuff, but it was extremely helpful in other realms.
*Disliked…
The exchange system. Just another obsession, another reason to question how much I was actually consuming. Not very accurate. The groups were redundant after the first week–seriously. No variety. The amount of information you had to share in planning (every single symptom, suicide thoughts, if you had caffeine, took a walk, self-harm, other things EVERY DAY). There was a girl who had the longest list of symptoms and it almost seemed counter-intuitive to listen. Lots of bragging, triggering comments, bratty 13 years olds who would make it very clear their intentions upon leaving.
*Overall, okay, IF you are commited. Any wavering, and out you go.