According to the Times, many newer treatment facilities rely on a "spa-like" atmosphere and charge tens of thousands of dollars per month for treatments which are not exactly based on the latest psychological/neuro-scientific research: one such treatment being a faith-based treatment.
A visit I paid to the website of one of these "faith-based facilities" proved to be very unsettling.
The site lists the facets of life damaged by an eating disorder: the body, (true) the mind, (yes) emotions, (yes) relationships, (yes) and especially--especially the Spirit (by this I assume they are referring to the Holy Spirit. Which raises the question, if this Spirit is residing in the individual, how were they attacked by this disorder?
Ah, I forgot--Satan.
The remaining portion of the website is even more eerie:
"Residential treatment at Timberline Knolls provides spiritual nurturing to women of all beliefs and faith traditions – including those with none at all.
Spirituality is not an add-on or an optional part of treatment at Timberline Knolls.
Each Timberline Knolls therapist and staff member understands they work with residents of all religious beliefs. Spiritual healing and empowerment are core parts of treatment for every resident, regardless of her faith and religious beliefs.
From the day she arrives, each Christian resident will feel our passion for spiritual rejuvenation in the way we describe treatment and recovery. Our treatment philosophy reflects the New Testament philosophy that Christians don’t get well by themselves, but through connection with others.
All Timberline Knolls residents attend special weekly group sessions with our Spirituality Coordinator, Todd Warren. Todd is a nationally-known songwriter, Christian recording artist and an ordained minister.
Todd’s thought provoking discussions are enhanced by performing music live for residents. Todd brings a pastor’s voice that reinforces the presence of the spirit inside each of us, and the importance of one’s connection to a power greater than ourselves."
Scenario time: let's say a young person suffering from comorbid depression and anorexia (who happens to be gay/atheist/anything "non-Christian" and suffers from these disorders in part because of lack of social support/feelings of worthlessness because of rejection by family and/or peers) arrives at this facility per parental request. Now that person will be forced to conform to an identity which is not their own in addition to these problems.
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