Psychiatry and Psychology in Minnesota

Mayo Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders Program

The Eating Disorders Program focuses on the treatment of eating disorders in children and adolescents. The program values the demonstrable power of the family to help restore a patient to his or her full physical and psychological health. Parents are an integral part of the treatment team and are taught procedures similar to the ones used on the unit to employ once their child returns home. Involving the patient's family eliminates the need for intensive follow-up programs and helps the adolescent return to their home environment more quickly.

Special attention is devoted to promoting normal eating habits, emotional adjustment, and adolescent development. These goals are accomplished through a variety of methods, including weight restoration, symptom management, ongoing medical care, individual therapy, medication management as needed, and especially working with the family to assist the patient with the transition to outpatient care. Not only is this approach research based, long-term outcomes from our program are positive and exceed that of standard inpatient treatment.

Rather than simply focusing on acute weight restoration during hospitalization, all inpatient procedures at are geared toward promoting success following discharge from the hospital. The program is based on a scientific and individualized approach to treatment, and focuses on promoting healthy family relationships and normal adolescent development. This focus, along with family involvement and continuity of care, provide the cornerstone of inpatient eating disorders treatment at Mayo Clinic and promote long-term success.

Services Offered

• Ongoing medical monitoring and management
• Behavior therapy to promote weight gain and symptom management
• Nutrition therapy
• Individual therapy
• Family therapy
• Family training in weight gain and symptom management

Appointments

Given that treatment success is founded on the patient and family's understanding of and commitment to the program procedures, patients are scheduled for a preadmission consultation. During this interview, the patient and family will be assessed to determine if they are appropriate candidates for this program. Guidelines and expectations for success in the program are discussed, and questions are addressed.

To schedule an appointment for a consultation, families should contact the appointment office at (507) 266-5100.

Physician Staff

Lloyd Wells, M.D., Ph.D, medical director
Leslie Sim, Ph.D., clinical director