Residential Programs

At Selah House we combine biblical truths, science-based therapies and deep love for our residents and their families to facilitate genuine and lasting healing from the devastating effects of eating disorders. Our unique ability to connect with our residents stems from the personal journeys that most of us have taken to overcome eating disorders in our own lives.

Our 8-bed facility is small by design to provide an intimate, home-like setting where people not only gain freedom from eating disorders through our multi-faceted treatment approaches, but interact with others in the program to grow and learn together. The 63-acre estate provides beautiful places to sit and reflect throughout the programming.

Programming

Each resident is assigned a five member Multi-Disciplinary Treatment Team. This eating disorder Treatment Team is led by our Program Director and consists of the following professionals:

Primary Care Provider
Psychiatric Provider
Registered Dietician
Primary Therapist
Nurse

Additional Treatment Team members, who are also directly involved in the resident's therapy, consist of the following professionals:

Family Therapist
Recovery Care Specialists
Equine Specialist
Art Specialist
Dance and Movement Specialist

Goals

Provide a generous and kind environment for every resident.

Develop, instill and support the resident's hope and belief in their ability to recover.

Restore the resident's physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being in a way that will be sustained after the resident leaves Selah House.

Equine Therapy

Equine therapy is a specialized treatment approach. It is used at Selah for a number of different clinical sessions in individual, group and family therapy settings. In addition, feelings of joy and spiritual connection are often discovered and revived as residents experience the Earth's beauty during equine rides and develop an appreciation for the horse as a unique creation.

Goals

Develop sense of self and awarenes - Various experiential excercises & therapy sessions explore underlying issues and move residents toward a better sense of awareness, identity and self.

Self-Confidence - Through the mastery of a new skill, horsemanship, the resident's confidence is enhanced in her ability to tackle new projects such as recovery.

Trust - Learning to trust an animal, such as a horse, aids in the development or restoration of trust.

Decreased isolation - For many women with eating disorders, there is a history of feeling rejected, different and isolated from others. A horse's unconditional acceptance invites the residents into a relationship and enables them to practice non-verbal relationship skills.

Creative Freedom - The playful aspects of riding and group equine activities can help restore spontaneity and healthy fun.

Family Therapy Component

Eating disorders are strongly related to family functioning and affect every member of the family. Families are directly involved in the client's eating disorder treatment throughout the stay at Selah House. Our aim with family therapy at Selah is not to focus blame on any one person in the family system, but help families develop understanding and creative ways to grow together and gain freedom and healing.

Around the midpoint of treatment, families and friends are encouraged to participate in an intensive week-long family therapy program on site led by our Family Therapist. It is dedicated to examining the impact on and the role of family and friends in the eating disorder, enhancing authentic communication and providing tools for healthy interactions in the future.

Spiritual Issues and the Eating Disorder Client: The Spiritual Approach of Selah House

At Selah House, we want to be intentional in addressing the whole person. Along with individual therapy and group therapy sessions, art therapy, writing group, equine therapy, psychiatric care, dietary and nutritional care, dance and movement, etc. we also believe in giving time to address common spiritual issues that many eating disorders patients face.

Richards et al (1997) list the following as common spiritual issues that eating disorder patients face:

1) Negative images or perceptions of God

2) Feelings of spiritual unworthiness and shame

3) Fear of abandonment by God

4) Guilt or lack of acceptance of sexuality

5) Redued capacity to love and serve

6) Difficulty surrendering and having faith

7) Dishonesty and deception

We at Selah House utilize this research to help guide us towards a holistic therapeutic approach, which includes one's spirituality. We intentionally have two chapels with a Christian focus each week. Chapels are lead by staff and local ministers. These seven common issues aid in the directions of these facilitations. In addition to chapels, we also have a spirituality group, in which clients process core assignments that adress these seven issues. For example, we have an assignment where clients articulate and conceptualize their image of God, especially any negative or shaming images that they hold. Images are conceptualized through journaling, drawing, painting, collage, story-telling, pictures, etc. They are encouraged to process which beliefs support and impede their recovery and then are encouraged to reform any beliefs that do impede recovery.

Richards, P.S., Hardman, R.K., Frost, H.A., Berrett, M.E., Clark-Sly, J.B., & Anderson, D.K. (1997). Spiritual Issues and Interventions in the Treatment of Patients with Eating Disorders. Eating Disorders: Journal of Treatment and Prevention, 5, 261-279.

Body Image Workshops

Negative body image is known to have a direct connection to the development of anorexia and bulimia and also limits progress in recovery. Treatment at Selah House includes significant time in body image workshops which we see as vital in gaining freedom from eating disorders. We use a variety of therapeutic approaches in the workshops including time in writing and art studio.

Click here for more information on healing body image with art.