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Marjorie Gies, M.D. Psychiatrist & Medical Director

bulimia treatment california
Specialized treatment for women

Bulimia Rehab in California

Bulimia nervosa is one of the most commonly spoken about eating disorders, but there are many misconceptions surrounding the condition.

Casa Serena Treatment is a women's mental health treatment center that can help you overcome bulimia nervosa with compassionate care and evidence-based therapies. We offer a bulimia treatment program in California designed to address the needs of women in recovery. Contact us today to learn more about bulimia rehab in California.
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Benefits of Specialized Bulimia Rehab for Women

Attending a bulimia treatment program for women can be life-saving for clients. Casa Serena understands that treatment for Bulimia, can be incredibly vulnerable.

For many people with disordered eating, there are a range of possible contributing or underlying factors, such as trauma, weight stigma, and bias, or co-occurring mental health conditions.

Women's bulimia rehab at Casa Serena provides clients with a safe and comfortable space to do the deep healing work required for disordered eating recovery. The safety and comfort of a women's treatment program is often the reason why people seek gender-specific care.

As a treatment center that offers care by and for women, our staff has a deep understanding of what it's like to walk through the world as a woman. We have had clients work with us throughout pregnancy and various matters that impact women at higher rates.

That said, we understand that every woman is unique. Our team of behavioral healthcare professionals is here to listen and work with you as you collaborate with our staff to build a personalized treatment path.

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gain a better understanding of bulimia

What is Bulimia Nervosa? Diagnosis,
Signs, and Symptoms

Understanding the signs and symptoms of bulimia nervosa can help you identify it in yourself or a loved one so that you can find the right bulimia treatment program for your needs. Please read the following signs and symptoms to gain a better understanding of what bulimia nervosa can look like.

Bulimia nervosa (BN) is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by purging behaviors. For a diagnosis to occur, these patterns must continue at least twice a week on average for three months or more and must not occur exclusively during another eating disorder. 

Binges are defined by the following features:

  • Eating an amount of food that is larger than most would typically consume within the same amount of time (a two-hour time period) and under similar circumstances
  • Feeling a lack of control during binge eating episodes (one may feel unable to stop or control what or how much they’re eating)

Purging is not just vomiting, though this is common. One may purge through self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, laxatives, or any other compensatory measures to avoid weight gain.

People with Bulimia can present at any weight. While there can be visible symptoms, many people with disordered eating attempt to hide their condition. Other symptoms of Bulimia include but are not limited to the following.

  • Extreme fear of weight gain
  • Abnormalities in lab work (e.g., low blood cell count, anemia, changes in thyroid or other hormone levels)
  • Abnormal weight fluctuations (including weight gain or weight loss)
  • Being preoccupied with one’s weight or body shape and size
  • Increased secrecy, social isolation, or withdrawal from others
  • Planning one’s schedule or activities around binging and purging
  • Irritability, extreme mood swings, or changes in mood
  • Not wanting to eat around other people
  • Menstrual irregularities or loss of menses (amenorrhea) 
  • Excessive, rigid exercise routines 
  • Trouble focusing or concentrating
  • Impaired immune functioning 
  • Weakened bones
  • Thinning hair 
  • Poor wound healing
  • Brittle nails or dry skin
  • Sore throat 
  • Electrolyte imbalances 
  • Headaches 
  • Sleep problems
  • GI distress 
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting 

Bulimia can be fatal if left unaddressed. Stomach rupture, heart failure, and death are all potential risks. While it can affect anyone, current statistics suggest that the disorder is more common in women. 

You are not alone

How Our Bulimia Treatment Center in California Can Help

There are so many things that set Casa Serena apart, in addition to the unique benefits of attending a bulimia treatment center in California Here are some of the ways that Casa Serena can help you or a loved one seeking women's bulimia treatment through their healing process.

Evidence-based treatments and therapies
Women's bulimia treatment typically involves a combination of multiple types of psychotherapies and behavioral health treatments. Casa Serena utilizes a range of evidence-based approaches for treatment, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), trauma resiliency model (TRM), family therapy (via the family systems model), and EMDR.

All clients get a collaborative initial treatment plan within one day of their admission to Casa Serena. Throughout your program, you'll continue to work together to set new goals and adjust your treatment plan as needed.

Casa Serena’s bulimia treatment program will include group sessions such as Acceptance of Body Image Dissastification, Body Positivity, Perfectly Imperfect, Intuitive Eating Group, Body and Mind Connection Group, Emotional Intelligence, Food and Metaphor, Family Support, Sorry Not Sorry, Setting Boundaries With an Eating Disorder, and Health at Every Size. We also are offering to separate DBT courses for eating disorders, DBT for Binge Eating and Bulimia and Radically Open DBT for Eating Disorders, which are each 10-week courses.

Our bulimia treatment program features sessions with registered dietitians as well as supported snacks and meals. We also hold a weekly outing in which clients work with staff to plan, prep, and eat a meal together. From grocery shopping to sitting down to a meal, clients are supported by our team, and after the meal, there is time to explore emotions brought up by the experience in a process group.

Location and Amenities
We are located just minutes from the beach, with friendly, welcoming facilities. You can take a virtual tour of our facilities online or schedule an in-person tour, including our outpatient center, to get an idea of what to expect at Casa Serena.

Admissions and Insurance
Casa Serena accepts most major insurance plans to help clients cover the cost of treatment. We have a four-step admissions process. To start, we'll conduct an initial intake assessment. Then, we'll discuss the cost and verify your health insurance. After that, you will receive a more thorough intake where you answer more questions about your needs. Finally, on your admissions day, we will introduce you to the treatment team and help you settle into your program.

Supportive Staff
Our compassionate treatment team is composed of qualified professionals, including but not limited to licensed therapists, group facilitators, registered dietitians, and others who are here to listen and develop an understanding of the needs of every unique client we see.
A group of women participate in therapy as part of an alcohol rehab program.

Casa Serena

Why Choose Our Bulimia Treatment Center in California

Since 1956, we have been helping women in Santa Barbara, California, with dual diagnosis and substance abuse treatment. Casa Serena is offering a new program, curated by our experienced and caring team. Our facility is situated in lovely Santa Barbara, just a few blocks from the ocean.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we are free and able to invest all of our funding resources in life-saving care and services that uphold the highest ethical standards. Women's Bulimia treatment saves lives.

Everyone deserves healing. If you're looking for a Bulimia treatment center in California for yourself or a loved one, reach out to Casa Serena today. Call 1-866-950-0545, send us an email, or reach out through the contact form on our website and one of our staff members will get in touch with you shortly.
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