Princeton Center for Eating Disorders

Penn Medicine Princeton Center for Eating Disorders

Princeton Center for Eating Disorders, located in New Jersey, provides inpatient treatment for adults, adolescents and children as young as 8 years old of all genders who are suffering from anorexia, bulimia and other eating disorders. We offer a warm, welcoming environment in a warm, welcoming environment. Our patients not only benefit from treatment for the physical, psychosocial and nutritional aspects of their eating disorder, but they also have immediate access to full-service care for other medical needs.

Our Philosophy

Founded in 1996, Princeton Center for Eating Disorders offers an intensive treatment program designed to foster meaningful and lasting change by tailoring treatment plans to the needs of individual patients. We provide the foundation for a full recovery by combining psychosocial treatment, nutritional support, family involvement and the latest advances in clinical care – together with an atmosphere of understanding, safety, respect and support throughout the recovery process.

Often, people with eating disorders have little to no hope, and our goal is to help them find the way. When a person finds hope, it becomes the motivator to continually fight for recovery. Roadblocks are common in life, and we help our patients to find their own path to hope through therapeutic groups, individual counseling, and activities that illuminate individual pathways to their goals.

We want each person to have the capacity to live their best life, and hope is a key part of that equation.

One of the most important and powerful aspects of our program is our therapeutic community. Our staff and patients work together as a group to develop trust and honesty, allowing for the deep emotional work necessary for achieving the best quality of life.

Our Team

Each member of our skilled and diverse treatment team plays an important role in the recovery process. Our team includes:

Board-certified psychiatrists, registered nurses and bachelor prepared mental health associates, licensed psychotherapists and social workers Registered dietitians/nutrition therapists, consulting physicians who are board-certified in their specialty areas, certified teachers to provide tutoring support, dedicated art therapist, religious ministries interns.

We also consider each patient’s family to be an integral part of the team, and we work closely with family members to facilitate their roles in their loved one’s recovery. Frequent communication with outpatient providers and other referral sources also fosters a comprehensive team approach.

Additionally, the Princeton Center for Eating Disorders is:

Nationally recognized as a Magnet® hospital for nursing excellence, accredited by the Joint Commission, a partner of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for enhanced pediatric services.

The Treatment Day

Entering treatment can be a stressful time for many patients. To ease this transition, we provide a welcoming orientation for each patient, including a tour of our facility and an introduction to other patients. Introductions are often made at mealtimes or during community meetings, when patients have time to talk and learn more about one another.

A typical day at the Princeton Center for Eating Disorders is very busy, beginning early in the morning with breakfast and ending in the evening with community meetings. The schedule is thoughtfully structured to include vital program components such as daily psychotherapy and nutrition counseling, while still allowing patients time for recreation and personal activities.

While treatment activities are scheduled throughout the day, adults will also have personal time and the use of laptops is permitted during these times. To keep school-aged patients on track with their school work, individual tutoring with certified teachers and workspaces with computer access are available in our dedicated classroom.

Our Setting

Most of our bright and spacious patient rooms are private, with some semi-private options available. For an added level of comfort, we encourage patients to bring favorite pillows, bedding and other personal items from home to decorate their rooms. Our program is located just minutes from historic Princeton, New Jersey, giving patients the opportunity to heal in a quiet, charming community.

The Center combines a skilled healthcare team and advanced technology with the modern touches of a healing environment. Its location in a secure, private unit on the fifth floor of the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center offers a contemplative, scenic setting where patients can feel safe and comfortable as they recover. While there are some common areas, children and adults are separated at all times.