Backcountry Wellness for Eating Disorders

Hello! To anyone planning on admitting here, I would like to give you my true, honest thoughts about this facility as a client who has experienced their Residential, PHP and IOP programs. I understand how treatment is something that is incredibly difficult to start and should not be treated lightly, due to the complex and vulnerable nature of eating disorders. It is crucial to note, my intention in this review is not to sugar coat it by all means, I would just like to give information and advice that I wish I would've known before being admitted. Like everything in one's life, nothing is perfect, however, from the bottom of my heart, this is a phenomenal treatment center compared to the many others out there. On the positive side, unlike many ED treatment centers, Backcountry Wellness takes both a very family-based and individualized approach towards recovery. They do not utilize the usual one-size-fits all approach and instead base important decisions and actions off the individual's personal strengths, weaknesses and abilities which is something that is incredibly notable and valuable in the process of recovery due to the fact that once again, eating disorders often have co-occurring issues (AKA comorbidities) such as anxiety, depression and other things. In general, most time spent at Backcountry Wellness is spent on different forms of group therapy, including but not limited to: ACT, DBT, CBT and other topics that address struggles that one with an eating disorder may experience. BCW makes therapy enjoyable by not only offering fun forms of therapy such as yoga, baking and art therapy, but also allowing individuals to connect with peers by openly discussing their true thoughts and commonly shared experiences. Additionally, they do meals/snacks exposures. Most, key word MOST staff at Backcountry are incredible at what they do. From my personal experience, almost all of the staff are truly passionate people about what they do. They aren't just working here for the money, they do genuinely care about mental health and the wellbeing of all clients, something that is crucial, especially in the field of healthcare. To all the BCW staff, especially Zana, Joanna, Stella, Taylor, Edilys, Stephanie, Roxanne, Angelica and both Lauren's, thank you so so much. My progress not only with my ED but just mental health in general could not have been achieved without you guys. Thank you for showing up each and everyday and being there for me at both my best, and my worst. They are professional, yet are also people who you can casually strike up a conversation and be yourself around and this applies for both parents and clients. At BCW, each client receives the following: a family therapist, individual therapist, and dietitian. In Res, depending on the client, you get to go on outings (aquarium, arcade etc) once a week, baking once a week and yoga around three times a week which is absolutely amazing. On the contrary, one of the downsides to BCW is that they are understaffed. Depending on if you are in Residential or PHP/IOP, nine times out of ten, there is a significant client to care coach ratio. Clinicians also spend regular time with clients, which is great, however, the fact is that there are around 7-13 clients who are all different age ranges which can sometimes be a little too much for 1 carecoach, since normally the other one is busy with another task and a few clinical staff to effectively manage. Additionally, the overall vibe of the group heavily depended on which staff was there which in my opinion, was very bittersweet. Over all, in my personal experience, Backcountry is a great facility for adolescents seeking support for ED recovery. I am incredibly grateful to have met so many great people, both staff and clients. It simply wouldn't have been possible without them! Community and a sense of belonging is something that is very much needed when in such a vulnerable situation and it has helped me become such a better version of myself:) Even though I am still receiving support here, thank you so much Backcountry.

Wow. Literally my second home. I never thought I’d be crying and not wanting to leave a residential. When I first got there, no one was shy or had a filter (in a good way). Everyone was like “this place does something to you” and I thought they ment that I’m a bad way but no. Not only does it help you w your ed and mental health, etc, but it brings the real you out. It was the most me I’ve felt in a long time. I felt my true personality come out and never once was I judged. I came home happier and more me and just simply amazed by how much my personality has shown. Not only the other kids did I LOVE, but staff. There were staff there who would go out of their way to help me and give me advice to something totally unrelated and I really appreciate it (Sam P). All the staff were there to do their jobs and help me (some better than others but still). They always showed up to work to one, be a care coach, but also just be a friend. Some of the best care coach’s were able to not just be a care coach but also act as a friend you can laugh with (while still following rules and making sure everyone is ok). Such as Liz, Taylor and Roxanne. They helped make the place way less scary. Time also goes fast there. Every day you have a set schedule which I find SO helpful and still use today when I’m home. You will also, over your time there earn exposures and outings. Never once did I not enjoy an outing. The staff and your team will also help plan exposures for you. I will NEVER forget the time the nurse Zana (she’s a queen) took me and 2 other clients out to eat. Or the one time Reuby and Stella took a few of us to the diner. They wanna set you up for success and I feel that they did with me. One little problem though, and I say little becuase I know they are working on it. Is that they are understaffed. Through out my time there were many instances where I wanted to grab smt or needed smt but there “wasn’t enough care coaches”. Also though, in my time I had seen many more people interviewing and many people getting hired and trained. I also wanna thank Emma, Julie and Rebuy. Me and Emma started on the same day but somehow I didn’t even know she was new. She knew exactly what she was doing and was amazing at her job. And Angelica, she’s like the care coach Mom. The sweetest and kindest person you’ll meet. Always bringing new fidgets in or doing people’s laundry. She runs the best school times! Chase bronfman also needs to make appearances more. Even though everyone’s treatment is different and requires different things, from what I’ve seen, BCW can help you with basically any of your needs. But overall, Im in IOP now and I wanna thank BCW for all they have done. I’m not nearly done w my journey but I’m so grateful for everything they’ve helped me accomplish so far. It was at BCW that be and my best friends, siblings, found what we wanted to do with our life. Open a residential to help others. I’ve always wanted to be a therapist and this fits right in!

Beyond words! Amazingly professional staff that know what exactly they are doing. Starting from Dr B, all the way to every staff member at the program. God send.