Eating Disorders Extended Care at The Ranch

Lake House at The Ranch

The Eating Disorders program at the Ranch includes extended care treatment for women 18+ who struggle with bulimia, anorexia, over-eating, binge/purge, restricting and related issues.

Clients seeking longer-term care for the management and healing of eating disorders will find an integrated, holistic approach to treatment at our beautiful, serene facility located on 2000 acres of green rolling hills one hour west of Nashville, Tennessee.

What We're About

At our Extended Care Eating Disorder Program, our skilled staff combine years of expertise in the areas of eating disorders, dual diagnosis and co-occurring addictive disorders. We are small – not more than 8 women in residence at one time. Our clients receive individual attention and customized treatment plans. All clients are responsible for personal housekeeping and cooking with the guidance of skilled staff. Our medical staff provides support and supervision as needed.

Extended Care Eating Disorders Program at The Lake House

In addition to our regular program, the highlights of our extended care eating disorders program includes:

• Consultations with nutritionist ED-specific groups focusing on food issues
• EDA "Eating Disorders Anonymous" 12 step support groups
• Friday night 12-step Bonfire speaker meeting
• Presentations of didactic and educational materials designed to assist in ED recovery
• Guidance for meal preparation
• Mealtimes supported and monitored
• Exploration of issues of distorted body image, self worth, perfectionism and control
• Weekly weighing of clients by staff physician, without client knowledge of weight
• Specific groups addressing fears, feelings and relationship to food
• Health, wellness and support for healthy exercise
• Groups focused in Family of Origin and trauma resolution
  

Our ED Team

Carolyn Ross, MD, MPH

Eating Disorder Consultant

A physician, author, and nationally recognized speaker, Dr. Carolyn Ross is a graduate of the University of Michigan School and an alumnus of Dr. Andrew Weil's Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. She holds a master's degree in public health with an emphasis on international health. She has more than 20 years experience as a practicing physician specializing in women's health and integrative medicine.  She served as the Head of the Eating Disorder Program and Head of Integrative Therapies at Sierra Tucson, an internationally respected treatment center in Arizona. Dr. Ross understands the powerful role that a mind/ body/ spirit approach plays in healing, particularly in her area of expertise - eating disorders.  Her first book, "Miracles in Healing" recounts her journey of self healing while offering a mesmerizing exploration of alternative and complementary healing modalities. Her second book, due out next year, guides professional in an integrative medicine approach to the treatment of eating disorders based on the highly successful program Dr. Ross has developed at Sierra Tucson.

Kate MacLeod-Michael, M.Ed

Program Mananger and Therapist

Lake House for Women

Kate could not be happier about getting to work at The Ranch.  Her previous experience includes crisis counseling at Women FIRST in Charlotte, NC., social work and program planning at the Martha O'Bryan Center in Nashville, group facilitator for teen offenders with the Domestic Violence Intervention Center in Nashville, and many hours of volunteer work teaching dance, theatre, and creative writing to emotionally disturbed youth in South Florida, where she was born and raised.  Kate comes to The Ranch after working primarily with teens in state's custody at a Level 3 lock down facility, and is thrilled by the change of scenery.  She holds a Master's degree in Human Development Counseling and is Nationally Certified Counselor (N.C.C.).

Courtney Phifer

Nutritionist, MS RD

Courtney earned her Master's degree in Nutrition Science from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.  She recently completed a dietetic internship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she developed skills in clinical dietetics and nutrition counseling.  Her experience includes working with college students as the nutritionist for UT Campus Dining.  She is thrilled to have the opportunity to provide nutriton care at The Ranch.

Lee Roach M.S.,R.D.

Nutritionist and Eating Disorder Consultant

Lee holds a masters degree in Dietetics and brings over 30 years experience of nutrition care in the behavioral health arena. Prior to joining The Ranch Eating Disorder Team, Lee spent over 20 years as the nutritionist at a residential facility for troubled adolescent. She also was the nutritionist on the Eating Disorder Program at Sierra Tucson, an internationally respected treatment program in Tucson, Arizona. Lee was instrumental in the development of a highly successful program at Sierra Tucson.  Currently Lee maintains a private practice as a nutrition therapist in Tucson, specializing in providing treatment to clients struggling with eating disorders. She is providing consulting services to The Ranch, sharing successful treatment strategies for individuals with eating disorders and co-morbidities.

Our Typical Week

	Structured weekly program: Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy Individual psychotherapy Structured metaphor/ Experiential groups Expressive therapies (Art, Music, Writing, Dance) 12 Step Support Adventure/ Ropes therapy Nutritional Counseling Body Image Groups
	Adjunct Workshops and Presentations: Tai chi, Yoga and Meditation Healthy Boundaries Groups Art Therapy Native plants for Health and healing Human Energy System The Four Agreements and Toltec teachings Native American Spiritual Paths to Wellness, including Sweat Lodge Ceremony Family of Origin Program Equestrian Skills and Riding Instruction

Philosophy

At The Ranch, we believe in the power of Nature to heal. Time for oneself, nurturing care, guidance and structure from skilled helpers balanced with choices for solitude and reflection allow an individual to discover or rediscover a relationship to themselves and their place in the great natural order. In the varied exposure to many kinds of healing and spiritual modalities, the client can experience a new vision of self. As a multi-faceted being, with a new vision freed from the bonds of limiting beliefs and underlying causative factors, the whole person can emerge, embracing one’s true nature, vitality and wholeness.

Equine Therapy and Eating Disorders

Round pen work with the horses provide residents with internal experiences in reaction to a horse's often extreme forms of communication (balking and bolting.) For instance, these behaviors can be seen as freezing or refusing to move (balking) and impulsive, uncontained energy in movement (bolting).

Residents gain insight, self-compassion, and support through their own similar extreme reactions to food and self-esteem issues. The common 'flight or flight' mechanism well known in the equestrian world as the horse's primary survival skill becomes a powerful metaphor for residents with eating disorders.

Dede Beasley, M.Ed.
Licensed Professional Counselor
Equine Assisted Psychotherapist

Adventure Therapy and Eating Disorders

Adventure therapy is a moving way to assist you with connection to people and use of community. Much of the indoor metaphor work assists with increasing introspective work and owning of your issues. Through action and movement, you are reconnected and perhaps reconciled with your body in many animated ways. Principles of recovery from eating disorders emerge during the course in ways that are more apt to lead to an "Oh, so now I get it" experience.

Robert Chapman, MSSW, L.A.D.A.C.
Adventure/Challenge Course Therapist

Sample Schedule