Frequently Asked Questions

Prior to treatment, families often have questions about the process or more. This page serves as a reference for frequently asked questions. Once your child is closer to admission, the Admission Specialist will provide more specific program information and answer questions around arrival and the first few days of treatment.

Q: Why is the wait time so variable?

A: As we all know, eating disorders don’t operate on a timeline. Each person recovers at their own pace, and simultaneously, each insurance company has different criteria for what they will continue to cover. Both are factors in how long an individual will stay in treatment. While we will give our best estimates as to what wait times are at a program, there are times someone who is with us needs to stay longer and we honor that, just as we will with your child. Conversely, at times a bed might open sooner at another program and that could be an option for your child. We will do our best to provide you with options for locations with the soonest availability or support you in waiting for a particular program that is best for you and your family.

Q: Why do we need a medical clearance form completed prior to admission?

A: Medical information is requested so we can recommend the appropriate level of care and have a baseline for your child’s medical management and treatment. You can bring our medical clearance form to your child’s primary care physician, or urgent care, and have them complete the form as well and order the required tests. We do not need them to medically clear you, we simply need the information from them so we can review and ensure your child’s medical clearance for treatment. You may be asked to update the medical information prior to admitting, as insurance companies often require this within a certain timeframe before admission.

Q: What can I do if my child refuses to go to treatment?

A: Residential treatment is voluntary, so we do need to have consent from your child to go to treatment. We can provide recommendations for family coaches, support groups, wrap around services and outpatient providers in your area to support you and help your child prepare for treatment. If you are interested in an intervention or coaching, an Admission Specialist or Outreach Manager can provide you with a referral. Also the article What Can You Do If Someone You Love Refuses Help for an Eating Disorder? might be helpful.

Q: How does the program communicate with us and involve us in treatment?

A: The family therapist consistently communicates with families – they have a weekly coaching call and weekly family session. Additionally for the first seven days of treatment caregivers will receive a nightly call updating them. We also have family programming the first and third Friday of every month to provide psychoeducational sessions.

Q: Is this an FBT program?

A: We are not utilizing a full FBT approach, however our teams and treatment are FBT informed.

Q: How will we learn what the program is doing for meals, so we can meals at home?

A: You will participate in family therapy as well as coached sessions with our dietician regarding meal planning. In addition to support with your family therapist and dietician, the dietitian holds virtual groups to address the following: menu planning, navigating shopping for food, meal ideas, portioning practice and table support. Schedules for these activities will be provided as your child moves closer to admission.

Q: What happens when someone does not complete a meal in treatment?

A: If a client does not complete a meal, they are offered a supplement to complete the meal.

Q: What is the phone and computer policy while at Clementine?

A: Each Clementine program has a phone and computer that clients have access to when they are not in groups, meals or snacks. They do not have access to personal devices until later in treatment. They are able to use their personal laptops during school hours.

Q: What is the mask policy?

A: Masks are worn at all times except for eating or sleeping.

Q: Does my child have to be vaccinated from covid-19?

A: We recommend everyone who is able to be vaccinated, be vaccinated. Regardless, every person entering treatment is tested within the first 24 hours, masks are worn except for when sleeping and eating. Additional safety measures are put into place between continual training and hygiene, and our programs meeting all state and federal / CDC guidelines.

Q: How do you ensure that necessary schoolwork is completed?

A: Our certified teachers will collaborate with your child’s school counselor to determine the work that needs to be completed for your child to stay on track in school.

Q: My child identifies with a specific pronoun, and we might have some questions about gender of roommates at a program that treats all genders.

A: We honor pronouns and identify clients how they prefer to be identified, and through the admissions process we will discuss preferences for roommate assignment. You may ask any additional questions upon arrival to the program when greeted by the clinical team.

Q: What resources or supports do you have for families while we are waiting to get our loved one into treatment?

• Alliance for Eating Disorders Support Groups  – As the only national organization in the country to provide free, weekly, clinician-led eating disorder support groups, these communities not only aid in decreasing isolation, but also provide individuals with a sense of belonging.
• Family Support Group options – Whether you choose the complimentary or premium support, Becky will send you the conference line dial in number for the free monthly call and/or the zoom video link for the weekly calls.
• Eating Disorder Family Support Network – Eating Disorder Family Support Network (EDFSN), online support forums for families of loved ones with an eating disorder.
• Facebook Eating Disorder Family Support Network – Mom2Mom – The purpose of Mom2Mom is to provide support, compassion, hope, information, wisdom, and most of all EDucation about eating disorders. The most critical piece of this journey is to be as EDucated and as knowledgeable as possible.
• Eating Disorder Family Support Network – Man2Man – Man2Man is a community created to provide support, EDucation and resources to male caregivers who are supporting a loved one with an eating disorder. This includes dads, partners, husbands, brothers, uncles, etc.