We’re excited to announce that The Emily Program will open two residential programs—one for adolescents and one for adults—in Columbus, Ohio in 2021. With this expansion, we will address the lack of residential treatment available to adolescents in the state, as well as growing demand for adult residential programming.
**Content warning: This is one person’s story; everyone will have unique experiences in recovery and beyond. Some stories may mention eating disorder thoughts, behaviors, and symptoms. Please use your discretion when reading and speak with your support system as needed.
By Cathrine Pace-Davis
I became willing to take a look at my life seriously in 2013 when I found the PHP program at The Center for Balanced Living (now The Emily Program – Columbus). Prior to this, as is the case for many of us, I had already been in and out of the eating disorder recovery realm for many years. I would begin treatment with a zest for life and a willingness to get up every day and actively participate; however, at some point I would start ruminating over my physical body and begin negatively appraising myself. My zeal would fizzle out. Waking up in the morning became grueling, and I would find myself looking for ways to be alone so that I could sneakily go back to engaging in behaviors. And just like that, I’d be sitting in treatment, longing for the day when I could freely engage in behaviors once more. I began to lose heart as the obsession of the mind grew more rampant the more I gave in to it, all the while I sat in group taking notes, participating in activities, and learning how to live life one day without my eating disorder. My time at CBL was not for nothing, though; I had an arsenal of skills and tools at my disposal just waiting to be used.
TEP: Tell us about yourself!
Shauna: I’m Shauna Duffy, LSW, Eating Disorder Technician (EDT) Manager at Cleveland Heights Residential. I’ve been with The Emily Program for 5 years.
TEP: What is a typical workday like?
Shauna: There is no typical day at Cleveland Heights Residential, which is why I love it. The unpredictable nature of what we do keeps all of us growing, stretching, and learning.
The Emily Program is built on hope.
Hope whispers in a client’s first phone call, its hum beneath any fear or shame. It sets a client on a path of healing, a journey accompanied by others who then help hold that hope. It anchors all of us in a shared commitment to eating disorder treatment and recovery.
And hope keeps us together in uncertain, challenging times.
TEP: Tell us about yourself!
Jenna: My name is Jenna Daugherty, and I’ve been working at The Emily Program since 2015. I started as a dietitian at the Cleveland residential site when it opened, then moved to the Cleveland outpatient site in 2016. My current role is as a program dietitian for our adult standard program. I also recently became a clinical manager and am enjoying working more closely with employees in addition to clients!
We’re thrilled to announce that The Emily Program – Columbus is now open! This location offers individual and group outpatient therapy and intensive programs for all ages, genders, and eating disorder diagnoses.
The opening comes after The Center for Balanced Living transitioned its services to The Emily Program to improve and sustain access to quality eating disorder care in Central Ohio. The Center for Balanced Living will continue as a non-profit with the mission of community education and advocacy aimed at raising awareness and reducing the stigma of eating disorders. Both The Center and The Emily Program will now be housed at the Columbus location.
