RED Clinic’s Stories of Hope

Each client has the potential for full transformation. Knowing the hope of our clients’ journeys to complete recovery from eating disorders is important. We know their stories. Stories of control lost. Wounds healed. Knowledge gained. Change embraced. Identities recreated. Stories of hope. We are sharing some of their stories* to encourage you, our clients, and the families of our clients. There is hope for lasting recovery.

"The transformation has been truly remarkable..."

“Before we started treatment for our daughter’s eating disorder, we could not fathom her not being able to eat or drink. Watching her slowly lose weight and her sense of wellbeing was, by far, the scariest experience we have had in our lives. What was most helpful was Dr. Schwalen’s direct, yet comforting approach. We all felt like she knew the way forward, and we all trusted that Dr. Schwalen would be able to solve the problem. The only thing we would change about the treatment is that we wish we would have found RED Clinic sooner. We are elated with the progress! The transformation has been truly remarkable. We have gotten our child back. Things are back to normal as far as our child is concerned. She is eating and drinking everything she was before the onset of the disease. As parents, we are more vigilant and aware of what she’s having for lunch and making sure that she’s getting enough to eat and drink. Before the RED Clinic, we saw a Counselor and Dietician to help at the onset, but neither offered any concrete strategies. Dr. Schwalen has been very specific about goals and behavioral changes that needed to occur and what type of outcomes we should expect.”

– Jill and Mike*, parents of Julia* who had struggled with ARFID

"We feel like we've gotten our child back..."

“We feel like we’ve gotten our child back.”

– Roger and Leticia, parents of a teenager who has suffered from Anorexia

"I’m connected and invested..."

“I’m getting treatment for a BED (Binge Eating Disorder). After a year at the RED Clinic, I’m connected and invested and know I don’t want to find another therapist when I go away to college. I plan on continuing treatment after I’m in school through telehealth.”

– Lucy*, incoming college freshman

"I learned to trust the process..."

“I used to be scared when mealtime approached. I was afraid to gain weight. But my treatment team got me right to where I needed to be, and I learned to trust the process. The team said it would get better. AND THEY WERE RIGHT!”

– Jonathan, an adult with Atypical Anorexia

"I feel so supported..."

“I feel so supported by you and my therapist, which makes me really happy.”

– Carmen*, a college student with Bulimia

"I can always talk openly about my struggle..."

“The registered dietitians at the RED Clinic are friendly and helpful. They never make me feel judged. It is a space I can always talk openly about my struggle with food. Their knowledge and expertise have helped me overcome all the wrong ideas I had about food, health, and how diet culture had impacted my life. They refocused me on what is truly important in my life and my shame is gone!”

– Samantha*, adult recovering from compulsive overeating

"This was huge growth..."

“I can tell I am triggered because my eating disorder is telling me to respond to the trigger but I realize that I don’t want to. This was huge growth because previously I could not distinguish between the two.”

– Tara*, college student with Atypical Anorexia

"You have done a miraculous job..."

“I’m probably more than halfway through my treatment, and I have regained my ability to enjoy all of the foods and beverages that I enjoyed before the onset of the illness. You have done a miraculous job, and we (my family) are very grateful for you.”

– Janine*, adult with Emotional Eating

"We are with the right team at RED Clinic..."

“No other provider took the time to get to know my son and his needs regarding his struggle with extreme picky eating. We are with the right team at RED Clinic. I’m not going to change the care plan because I know this team is working.”

– Polly*, mother of 9-year-old son with ARFID

"RED Clinic is exactly what our family needs..."

“Two of my children are struggling with ARFID. The RED Clinic is exactly what our family needs. Because I feel so lucky to have gotten on Dr. Schwalen’s schedule, we NEVER miss an appointment.”

– Dot*, mother of two children (ages 8 and 11) who struggle with ARFID

"Our overall functioning as a family improved ..."

“Dr. Schwalen blessed the whole family because she treated the whole family system. And our overall functioning as a family improved because of our treatment with her.”

– Missy*, mother of a son who struggled with Atypical Anorexia

"I knew I would be in good hands..."

“I brought my teenage daughter Anne to RED Clinic because of her struggle with Binge Eating Disorder (BED). Through Anne’s treatment and care here I was inspired to seek treatment for my own anorexia. The RED Clinic team is so professional and knowledgeable, so I knew I would be in good hands if I pursued my own treatment here. The team is so skilled at making me (and my daughter) feel comfortable and successful.”

– Jaclyn*, recovering from Anorexia, and mother to Anne, teenager recovering from BED.

* The client’s name has been changed to protect their anonymity.