Alternative Eating Disorder Treatment

The Integrative Approach to Anorexia and Bulimia Treatment

Our model of treatment for eating disorders is based on an integrative medical approach to mind-body-spirit healing. Each client will fully participate in those modalities that she and the staff feel will be most beneficial for her.

Acupuncture

In Oriental medicine, all illness is seen as resulting from an imbalance of energy in the mind-body-spirit as a whole. In Oriental medicine, acupuncture aims to restore health by readjusting, improving, freeing and/or balancing energy. We've found acupuncture especially helpful for clients with digestive problems and food allergies, and often for those with cravings. It is also extremely effective in helping a client detox from sugar, alcohol and drug use. For clients uncomfortable with needles, we also employ a gentle system of acupressure using points of light. Acupuncture is prescribed on an as-needed basis.

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Adventure Therapy

Wilderness therapy — also known as adventure-based therapy or ABT — is a well-established intervention for a variety of psychological disorders including substance abuse, adjudicated youth, PTSD, depression and anxiety disorder. For the treatment of anorexia nervosa and bulimia, the "gold standard" is generally cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). However, research conducted by Mirasol over the last two years has demonstrated that adventure-based therapy (ABT) is also highly effective in the treatment of eating disorders.

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Bodywork

"The body remembers what the mind wants to forget," is an underlying tenet of bodywork. At Mirasol, we use polarity therapy, cranial therapy, Reiki and other methods to help integrate the mind-body-spirit. Our professional bodyworkers are able to individualize care so that each client only receives what she is able to tolerate.

Energy Psychology

Energy psychology has its origins in Oriental medicine, and is based on the belief that painful physical and emotional and spiritual symptoms are the result of a disruption in the energy system. Correcting the disruption restores the body's balance and natural ability to heal itself.

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Expressive Arts Therapy

Art therapy is used to uncover and heal issues that are brought to awareness through the subconscious mind. Jungian mandala work and other expressive art forms are used at Mirasol to help each participant discover and develop her own unique identity.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

The focus of EMDR treatment is the resolution of emotional distress arising from difficult childhood experiences, or the recovery from the effects of critical incidents, such as automobile accidents, assault, natural disasters, and combat trauma. Other problems treated with EMDR are phobias, panic attacks, distress in children, and substance abuse.

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Functional Medicine

In a perfect world, we'd be able to pinpoint each client's exact nutritional deficiencies and design an individual treatment plan based on her needs. Fortunately, that ideal treatment model is now within reach thanks to functional diagnostic medical testing.

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Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic medicine is based in the philosophy that disease is a natural phenomenon that is best treated with natural resources. The philosophy includes the belief that the body fights illness through its own "vital curative force" and health is regarded as a balance in all aspects of being: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. At Mirasol, our naturopathic physician is our Medical Director.

Neurofeedback

EEG biofeedback or "neurofeedback" directly reveals brain wave activity. It's used at Mirasol to help clients focus better, integrate trauma memories and learn to change brain wave patterns associated with anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Each client receives neurofeedback several times per week to enhance her ability to actualize brain wave change during her treatment stay.

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Whole Foods

Whole foods should be a big part of any healthy diet, but for women recovering from eating disorders, they are absolutely essential.

Find out why Mirasol offers whole foods, including vegetarian and vegan options. »

Yoga

Yoga is a practical spiritual science that does not belong to any particular region or religion. It brings positive results independent of one's belief in its effectiveness. Yoga encourages a balanced, all-around development of human potential. Yoga contains in itself specific teachings that lead to bodyily health and emotional well-being; it leads to intellectual, creative, intuitive and spiritual awakening. It prepares the body for the spiritual path via physical and breathing exercises. Yoga prepares and conditions the body so that the mind can practice meditation more or less without obstacles.

Healthy Exercise

As with healthy eating, healthy exercise is all about balance. Mirasol's carefully monitored exercise program includes yoga, dance/movement therapy, kickboxing, weights, gentle cardio and morning walks in the desert.

Find out more about healthy exercise at Mirasol. »