Shoreline Center for Eating Disorder Treatment in Long Beach and Laguna Hills, California, are places you can heal in personal, warm and professional environments. We offer evidence-based treatment in a non-corporate, nurturing and intimate setting. We validate your fears and efforts and see you as a whole person, not a number or a symptom. We have an experienced multidisciplinary staff of eating disorder experts – ready to help.

Philosophy – Recovery is Possible

At Shoreline, our philosophy revolves around individuality. We believe that, although people with eating disorders might share similar traits and symptoms, each person we see deserves care based on their  individual needs. The way we see it is that the symptoms of a person’s eating disorder are just like the cover of a book: the cover of the book might look similar, but it’s the story inside that is unique, and it’s that story that we want to know and  understand.

We believe that eating disorders are far more than simply obsessions about food, weight and appearance. Although it may sound surprising, we find that people’s eating disorders served a purpose in their lives. Often they provide distraction from unhappy feelings, help reduce intense bouts of anxiety, or relieve the frustration of feeling out of control. While eating disorders may provide momentary relief, they also help disguise internal conflict. We work with our clients to learn what need is being met by their eating disorders and explore treatment that helps them develop new ways of managing life without resorting to self-destructive ways of coping and communicating.

We believe that there is a desire within all who suffer from eating disorders to be free of the overbearing thoughts that block the naturally innate desire to lead a healthy and fulfilling life. At Shoreline, our goal is to help our clients break free from rules and obsessions, and instead feel free to live a happy, healthy and spontaneous life.

Nutrition Philosophy – All Foods are Good

Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and OSFED can have severe emotional, spiritual and physical consequences for those afflicted. The physical toll alone can put an individual’s life and health in serious jeopardy. We strongly believe that the most effective therapy begins with restoring biochemical functioning and nutritional balance in our clients, and implementing a more balanced relationship with food and body.

Our program incorporates the “intuitive eating” philosophy. “Intuitive Eating,” is an approach developed by Evelyn Tribole, R.D., and Elyse Rysch, R.D., which teaches individuals how to create a healthy relationships with  food, mind and body. You will learn how to distinguish between physical and emotional feelings, and gain a sense of body wisdom. For those that believe that their bodies have betrayed them in some way, this can be a difficult concept to embrace, and we understand that. It is also a process of making peace with food so that you no longer have constant “food worry” thoughts. This helps individuals to change their destructive behaviors and thoughts, and gain a more peaceful relationship with food and body. Although “intuitive eating” is the heart of our philosophy, however, we recognize that most clients first require structure in order to reconnect with hunger and fullness, and to regain a sense of trust in their bodies. Some people come to Shoreline on the “exchange system”, which helps with a sense of containment. We try to honor you where you are at, with the understanding that recovery involves eventually reconnecting with your bodies sensations. It is a process.

When appropriate, individual meal plans are developed to safely transition clients into more balanced eating behaviors. Clients work intimately with our Registered Dietitian on reducing fears and rituals, and reconnecting to internal signals during “real life” settings. We do this by utilizing experiential techniques, including restaurant outings, grocery store outings, meal preparation and much more.

Shoreline offers several different treatment programs and services for those who want to heal from disordered eating and thinking and negative self image.

Testimonial

“Three years ago, I came to Shoreline scared, angry, emotionally damaged and very sick. Despite my reservations to fully commit to treatment, I was welcomed with open arms by the treatment team at Shoreline. The dedication and compassion I found in the staff enabled me to open up about the issues surrounding my eating disorder and begin to consider the possibility of change. Their accountability challenged me physically and emotionally, but I was supported along the way. Unlike other treatment centers, Shoreline has continued to support my recovery long after discharge. Today I continue to use Shoreline’s alumni services as a home base. Three years later, I live a full life and my world is bigger than the size of my pants.”

– E.R., Former Client