Philadelphia area residents struggling with eating disorders and weight management issues are now invited to participate in a new outpatient treatment program offered by Drexel University at its West Philadelphia campus.
The university announced on Thursday the launch of the WELL Clinic, an offshoot of the Center for Weight, Eating and Lifestyle Science.
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Intended to fill a gap in outpatient treatment options for adults, the WELL Clinic will accept patients dealing with a range of conditions, from anorexia and bulimia to binge eating, yo-yo dieting and other dietary disorders.
“This clinic is a unique and much-needed resource for the Philadelphia community,” said Evan Forman, a psychology professor at Drexel and director of the WELL Center. “Patients will have access to evidence-based solutions in health-related behavior change. Almost every day, we talk to people who have trouble finding treatment, or who get poor results from treatment. We are setting out to change the state of affairs for eating disorders and weight loss treatment in this region.”
Foreman has spent years studying the psychological and behavioral relationships we have with food, breaking ground in the development of an acceptance-based behavioral treatment method that focuses on personal values and mindful decision-making.
Treatment is available to both women and men struggling with eating disorders and obesity. The goal of the program is to help patients develop successful habits that fit within their current lifestyle, rather than join an inpatient program where they are removed from their daily activities and relationships.
“If you go spend a month away from home, you’re significantly more likely to suffer from a relapse once you return to your normal life,” said Adrienne Juarascio, an assistant professor of psychology at Drexel. “But if you learn the skills and strategies as part of your daily life and routine, you tend to have much better outcomes.”
Patients at the WELL Center will have access to a variety of specialists and treatment plans, from acceptance-based behavior treatment to cognitive behavioral therapy and behavioral weight loss treatment. There will also be opportunities to participate in clinical trials that can advance research into weight loss and the treatment of eating disorders.
All prospective WELL Center patients will undergo a comprehensive evaluation to determine the best course of action for treatment and a healthcare plan that meets their goals.
The WELL Center, located at 3101 Market St. in University City, officially launches July 16. More information about treatment at the WELL Center can be found here.