Community Connections, LLC is a

program dedicated to treating

individuals with eating disorders.

Community Connections LLC.

recognizes that each individual

has a unique story, and his or

her own distinctive strengths

and challenges.

Community Connections staff works with each

individual and family member to implement the

discharge plan. The plan may include, but is not

limited to, discharge to an outpatient program, a

day treatment program, a community placement

or Independent living.

Since discharge itself creates a number of challenges,

it is essential that discharge planning commence

upon admission in order to allow sufficient time for

a comprehensive discharge plan that will meet the

needs of the individual.

Discharge planning is initiated with thefollowing objectives:

1. Determination of the most appropriate discharge

setting for the individual based upon identified clinical

needs and resources available.

2. To identify the most appropriate aftercare providers

and establish the aftercare plan.

Length of Stay for Residential Treatment:

The estimated length of stay for an individual in

the program is 30 to 60 days. The multi-disciplinary

team will work with the individual to move through

the program, achieve his/her goals and have the

tools to be successful in a less intensive level of

care. The clinical team will assess of the individual’s

progress weekly to determine if he or she is ready

for discharge or transfer.

For Questions Contact:

Valerie Piacitelli, LMSWClinical Director

cell: 602-316-6745email: Community_connections@mail.com

www.communityconnectionsaz.org

*Food Experiential

Eating a meal together in-house or at a nearby restaurantSupermarket Education ToursCooking demo and meal prep

Experiential activities like shopping and cooking helps individuals practice eating disorder recovery skills with direct support from staff, nutritionist and therapist who help them prepare for situations they’ll face in recovery.

Groups and individual therapy facilitated by a licensed therapist will be directed by the individual treatment plan. Anticipated therapy will consist of 3 to 4 sessions per individual per week.

Groups and Individual sessions facilitated by the RD will be directed by the individual treatment plan. Anticipated sessions will consist of 2 to 3 sessions per individual per week. The individual and group work developed by the RD will be continued daily. Program staff, BHT, will facilitate daily groups designed by the RD and Licensed therapist. In addition, as indicated in the Individual Treatment Plan, a BHT staff may identify and address independent living skills.

Each individual will be assessed by the RN and input into treatment planning will be offered by the RN. The RN will monitor client’s health weekly. This will include weigh ins, vital checks and monitoring of medications. The nurse will provide training to all BHT staff on health checks, signs of illness and assistance with self-administration of medication.

Discharge Planning:

Community Connections, LLC is a transitional placement for individuals to work on their recovery and move to a less intensive environment to continue to work on recovery. From the day an individual is admitted to Community Connections, staff begin the process of developing a discharge plan that will create a smooth transition to another level of care or back to the community.

Community Connections LLC. recognizes that each individual has a unique story, and his or her own distinctive strengths and challenges. They may be seeking treatment for the first time; or, may be suffering a relapse following a stay at another eating disorder treatment center. With input from the individual, his or her loved ones, and our experts, we develop an individualized eating disorder treatment plan for each resident. We help each individual develop the skills he or she will need to experience recovery. Residential treatment and the outpatient program provides these individuals with a supportive peer group who understand the challenges of recovering from an eating disorder. By living together or participating in the out patient clinic with continuous therapeutic support, individuals learn to practice making healthy decisions when they experience feelings that accompany their eating disorder. An individual will learn to be mindful of feelings like anxiety, fear or shame, and to experience them in ways that won’t compromise their life.

Admission Criteriafor Residential:The Individual must be over the age of 18, be medically stable and meet at least five of the following 7 criteria:

1. The individual meets current DSM-IV Criteria for Bulimia, Anorexia Nervosa, or Compulsive Over Eating,

2. Evidences need for high frequency and intensity of treatment interventions and a highly secure but unlocked setting, 24 hours a day, seven days a week to alleviate the symptoms of the eating disorder,

3. The individual engages in self-injurious behavior, e.g., binging/ purging, compulsive exercise which is compromising psycho- social functioning,

4. The individual is presenting with suicidal ideation and intentions, however, can be managed in a sub-acute setting with 24 hour supervision,

5. The individual has a co-morbid psychiatric disorder that is interfering with his/her ability to respond to less intensive interventions or has not been stabilized in less intensive settings,

6. Demonstrates a history of chronic, impulsive behavior resulting in a significant deterioration in mental status, and psychosocial functioning from an established baseline,

7. The individual has demonstrated an inability to respond sufficiently to treatment interventions at lower levels of care, sufficient to control the destructive behaviors associated with the eating disorder

Admission Criteria for Out Patient Clinic:

1. The Individual must be over the age of 18, be medically stable.

2. The individual meets current DSM-IV Criteria for Bulimia, Anorexia Nervosa, or Compulsive Over Eating or extends into some type of disordered eating or eating challenges,

3. The individual may have a history of self-injurious behavior, e.g., binging/purging, compulsive exercise which is compromising psycho-social functioning,

4. The individual may have a co-morbid psychiatric disorder that is interfering with his/her ability to function successfully in the community.

5. May have a history of chronic, impulsive behavior resulting in a significant deterioration in mental status, and psychosocial functioning from an established baseline,

6. The individual has demonstrated an ability to respond sufficiently to treatment and function independently, however may need continued support while in the community.

Upon Admission:

Once an individual is admitted to Community Connections, LLC, he or

she receives a thorough evaluation by members of our multi-disciplinary

eating disorder treatment team:

Primary Therapist • Registered Nurse (RN)

Registered Dietician (RD) / Nutritionist

Each treatment team member’s findings are reviewed with our entire clinical staff. As a result, our full knowledge about effective treatment for eating disorders is integrated into each individual’s treatment plan. From these evaluations, an individualized treatment plan is developed, which sets the path for the specific direction of the treatment. The treatment team meets to discuss and update each individual’s treatment plan. We believe the individual is an integral part of the treatment team, and is included in setting and redirecting the treatment process. Aspects of individualized eating disorder treatment include:

Individualized Counseling Group Counseling

Family Counseling (if applicable) Exercise program

Education sessions Nutrition counseling

Body Image group Creative Expression

Recreational Therapy (outings) Stress Reduction

Assertiveness Training Discharge planning

Cognitive behavioral Treatment

Each individual will be treated by a licensed therapist. Individual therapy sessions will assist the client in exploring the patterns and meanings of her eating disordered behaviors and beliefs, assist her/him in developing insight into his/her needs and challenges, create motivation and strategies for change, and facilitate maintenance of a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

Group Psychotherapy (Core Group)

Process groups are daily therapeutic groups that encourage individuals to share with others in a safe environment. The ideals of process group include honesty, empathy, self-awareness, mutual help and cooperation, non-judgment, and appropriate assertiveness. Process groups facilitate a sense of hope, relationship building skills, belongingness, optimism, and communication.

Body Image Group

Body Image Group focuses on supporting and challenging clients as they identify and practice steps toward body acceptance through body desensitization. Over the course of this group, clients will learn to replace dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors related to their bodies, food, and emotional concerns with acceptance and appropriate appearance and body image.

Psycho-Educational Classes:

Nutrition Compulsion ManagementSkills-Building ExerciseAssertiveness

Additional RD groups include:Weekly Nutrition Education Group Sessions...topics may include, but are not limited to the following:

Food and Mood Hydration

Meal Planning Yoga therapy/Exercise

Nutrition 101- carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats

Set-Point Theory and Metabolism

10 Principles of Intuitive Eating