The Best Eating Disorders Treatment Facilities

The Best Treatment Centers and Spas

Full-Care Facilities for Eating Disorders

Center for Eating Disorders at St. Joseph Medical Center (Towson, MD), run by Dr. Harry A. Brandt, former chief of the National Institutes of Mental Health's Eating Disorders Unit, is participating in the NIMH study on anorexia and genetics. (410) 427-2100.

Eating Disorders Program at Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital (Tulsa) has separate curricula for adolescents and adults, plus a strong family-therapy component. (800) 322-5173.

Eating Disorders Program at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, Westchester Division (White Plains, NY), founded in 1979 by Dr. Katherine Halmi, professor of psychiatry at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, is one of the oldest programs. (888) 694-5700.

Eating Disorders Treatment Program at the Children's Hospital (Denver) is notable for its expertise in treating children; it accepts patients through age twenty-one. (303) 764-8521.

Eating Disorders Institute at Methodist Hospital (St. Louis Park, MN), affiliated with University of Minnesota Physicians, recently opened the Anna Westin House, a long-term residential home, in partnership with the Anna Westin Foundation, the Mayo Clinic and others. (952) 993-6200.

Remuda Ranch (Wickenburg, AZ), the largest residential and inpatient center nationwide, is an all-female Christian program; requires chapel attendance six days a week. (800) 445-1900.

Renfrew Center (residential programs in Philadelphia and in Coconut Creek, FL) treats disorders from a feminist perspective (women's experiences in American culture -- being dismissed and ignored-- can cause emotional issues underlying the disorders); for women only. 800-RENFREW.

Rogers Memorial Hospital (Oconomowoc, WI) runs separate residential programs for men and women and has the only all-male residential center nationwide. (800) 767-4411.

UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital (Los Angeles) opened its long-term inpatient-care facility for anorexics in 1962 and for bulimics in 1975. (310) 825-5730.

University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Behavioral Health Department (Iowa City) is known for its expertise in treating men as well as women. (800) 777-8442.

From $900 to $1,500 per day for inpatient programs at the above facilities; insurance may cover part of the cost.

Weight Loss Clinics and Spas

Canyon Ranch (Tucson, AZ, and Lenox, MA) teaches healthful weight management to all guests and offers highly tailored weight-loss packages at both locations. (800) 742-9000.

Green Mountain at Fox Run (Ludlow, VT) educates women on healthy living without dieting; it accommodates thirty-six participants at a time. (800) 448-8106.

Golden Door (Escondido, CA) welcomes forty guests each week to focus on their total well-being and weight loss. Usually just for women, but there are several males-only and coed weeks each year. (800) 424-0777.

Pritikin Longevity Center and Spa (Aventura, FL), at the Yacht Club at Turnberry Isle, adds golf and tennis to the weight-loss experience. (800) 327-4914.

Rice Diet Clinic (Durham, NC), founded in 1939, is one of the oldest; it has no residential facility but arranges housing for enrollees. (919) 383-7276.

Structure House (Durham, NC) emphasizes lifestyle change for weight loss through classes on nutrition, cooking and the psychological dimension of eating. (800) 553-0052.

The above weight-loss programs range from $2,175 to $6,275 per week; some locations vary rates by season.

By Nina Judar

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