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!
Brandy: My name is Brandy Gillihan, MA, LMHC. I am a Program Coordinator for the adult standard AM program and a Clinical Manager at the South Sound location in Lacey, WA. I’ve been at The Emily Program since July of 2015; it’ll be five years this July.
TEP: Tell us about yourself!
Sharon: I’m 49 (I feel 12. . .) and happily married for 16 years to my wonderful husband Eric. We have two grown daughters, Allix and Liz. I’m an animal lover and have three dogs and one cat (Jack, Wilson, Shorty, and Shelby). I’ve lived in Spokane since I was a little girl. We enjoy camping, boating, and 4-wheeling at our property at Lake Roosevelt. I also love to spend time running, planting flowers, reading, and hiking with my dogs.
TEP: Tell us about yourself!
Christina: I’m the Seattle adult standard/standalone intensive outpatient dietitian. Food is a huge part of both my professional and personal life—outside of work, I spend a lot of time enjoying the eclectic Seattle restaurant scene and experimenting in the kitchen. I also enjoy things all things yoga, books, cats, exploration, and relaxation.
TEP: What is your favorite part about being an Emily Program dietitian?
Christina: There are so many things I love about my job, especially digging deep in individual sessions and during meals (where the magic happens)! Most of all, I appreciate the many opportunities to witness those beautiful moments of growth—a client reclaiming a food, tuning into their true needs, gaining clarity, cultivating agency… the list goes on!
TEP: What is a common nutrition myth that you would like to correct?
Christina: The myth that there is such a thing as a “healthy” or an “unhealthy” food. Foods may contain different nutrients, but they can all nourish different aspects of our health and well-being. One food does not hold the power to change your health.
TEP: What is one thing you wish everyone knew about eating disorder treatment?
Christina: Not all people who need treatment fit a stereotype. People of all shapes, sizes, colors, backgrounds, and gender identities can struggle with eating disorders, and all are deserving of help and support. Because of this, treatment goals are different for each individual.
TEP: Do you have any advice for clients in recovery?
Christina: Recovery is not on a timeline, so try to extend patience to yourself or those around you who are in treatment. Eating disorders are not simple conditions and do not have a simple solution. And try to build in self-care time where you can. Treatment is a lot of work and having downtime is essential!
Stacy Schilter Pisano is the Site Director at The Emily Program’s South Sound location in Lacey, Washington.
TEP: What programs does The Emily Program’s South Sound location offer?
Stacy: The Emily Program’s South Sound location offers multiple levels of care to individuals struggling with a variety of eating concerns. The most intensive level of care is our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), which is a multi-diagnostic program offering services 35 hours per week.This level of care is best suited for individuals who engage in eating disorder symptom use daily or multiple times weekly and have difficulty intervening on their symptom use independently.The alternative intensive level of care is our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), offering services up to 12 hours per week. This level of care is designed for individuals whose eating disorder or body image concerns are interfering with various life domains, including emotional and relational health. Both IOP and PHP services include therapeutic groups, gentle yoga, supported meals/snacks, individual therapy, nutrition counseling and psychiatry. The South Sound location also provides outpatient services to individuals stepping down from higher levels of care or to individuals who are hesitant to enter a higher level of care.
Since joining The Emily Program last March, Amy Allyn has worn different hats to meet the various needs of her clients.
She began as a case manager at Seattle Residential, working closely with the treatment team to coordinate discharge and connect clients with helpful resources. Today, Amy now serves as The Emily Program’s program support coordinator, where she manages admissions to the Seattle facility.
