Living Hope offers outpatient services for both men and women, adults, pre-teens, children and adolescents. Outpatient visits include medical and psychiatric evaluations, comprehensive physical examinations and individual psychotherapy and dietetic sessions. The frequency and necessity for each is dependent upon the specific needs of each patient. Living Hope encourages patients to continue outpatient therapy after completing PHP and IOP programs to ensure a lasting recovery.
Outpatient Services at Living Hope
First Medical Outpatient Visit
On the first office visit with Dr. Scears, patients will be offered a two-hour initial comprehensive health assessment. This includes a complete medical and psychiatric evaluation, with emphasis on history of the eating disorder. Additionally, detailed family history, social circumstances, menstrual cycle history (in females), diet history and exercise routine will be evaluated.
A comprehensive physical exam will also be completed. Typically, but not always, an electrocardiogram (ECG), as well as laboratory tests and/or x-rays will also be done. Patients will be given prescriptions for all lab work and/or x-rays, which can be taken to the lab or radiology center of the patient’s choice (i.e. the places covered by patient’s insurance company). Also, any medications that are determined necessary will be prescribed to the patient.
Follow-Up Medical Outpatient Visit
On returning visits with Dr. Scears, a one-hour reassessment will be conducted. This will include reassessment of the current status of the eating disorder and medical complications as evident by additional evaluation and physical exam. Dr. Scears will also reevaluate any prescribed medications and/or side effects, and make adjustments as necessary. Additionally, Dr. Scears will repeat ECG’s, lab work, and/or x-rays as needed.
At the end of each assessment, the patient will receive detailed explanations of Dr. Scears’ findings and a treatment plan.
Dr. Scears would always include parents/guardians of minors, and encourage their involvement in their health assessments. However, on each visit she will likely spend some time alone with the patient, to discuss issues that are private. Dr. Scears will encourage the issues that are of importance to be discussed with the parents.
Dr. Scears is also happy to involve the families, spouses and/or support systems of adult patients, if that is the expressed desire of the patient. However, she will still spend some time alone with her patients, again to discuss issues that are private.
Outpatient Psychotherapy or Counseling Visit
Individual, couples or family outpatient counseling is available through our trained professionals. Visits occur weekly at the beginning of outpatient treatment and continuing need is assessed throughout treatment. Focus of the sessions is on addressing client eating disorder behaviors client issues, social stressors, mood issues, , coping skills, body image issues, family issues, trauma history, etc. Several of our therapists are trained in EMDR and do this mode of therapy with clients who have a trauma history when desired by the patient. Family therapy is also encouraged.
Outpatient Dietetic Counseling Visit
Individual, couples or family outpatient dietetic sessions are available with our registered and licensed dietitians. These sessions focus on helping patients stabilize nutritional intake and develop a new relationship with food and their body based on balance and variety.