Spring Brings Transformation and Growth with New Facilities

On the heels of the Willow Lodge opening, Timberline Knolls announces Oak Lodge renovations to increase adult capacity

Women of all ages, locations and backgrounds come to Timberline Knolls to heal and, over time, thrive. And as they transform into healthier women, Timberline Knolls, too, develops and matures as a place to build a lasting foundation of recovery for not only adolescent girls, but for women in their 30s, 40s, 50s and older. Due to increased growth and the need for residential treatment services, Timberline Knolls has begun construction to refurbish Oak Lodge, updating both the living space and bed capacity.

During the past two years, the Pine and Willow resident lodges have been opened to make room for adult women and adolescents needing treatment. While Willow Lodge opened recently on March 7 with space to accommodate 35 adolescents, Oak Lodge will have capacity for 26 beds for adults when it reopens on April 4. The other resident lodges of Pine and Maple have a combined capacity of 61 beds, also for adult women.

Since opening its doors in 2006, Timberline Knolls has seen an increase in patients ages 30 and older. The facility’s experts attribute this to a number of reasons, including growing public awareness of the dangers of eating disorders, coupled with social pressure to be thin and an aging baby boomer population, many of whom battled undiagnosed eating disorders earlier in life.

“Most people don’t understand how a woman could develop an eating disorder at an older age, but many times women have secretly struggled for years without seeking treatment, or they were treated when they were younger for an eating disorder that reoccurs later in life,” says Timberline Knolls’ medical director, Kimberly Dennis, M.D. “Eating disorders are treatable diseases, and full recovery is possible at any age with the right treatment and support.”

With the expansion of both the Willow and Oak Lodges this year, Timberline Knolls serves additional residents with newly renovated accommodations in an open and safe environment on its 43-acre campus. The facility’s “Wings of Hope” symbol reflects this growth as it naturally conveys how hope can uplift and encourage individuals when surrounded by champions for recovery—a perfect illustration of what Timberline Knolls strives to achieve in each and every person who steps through its doors. Says Dr. Dennis, “No matter the age, it’s our hope that every woman who finds her place at Timberline Knolls will go on to be free from her disease and soar with lifelong recovery.”

Back to top^

Healing Our Women in Uniform

Timberline Knolls and TRICARE join ranks to treat active military servicewomen

Hundreds of thousands of women join the military to protect their country, not realizing the full extent of trauma they may witness and even endure themselves. At Timberline Knolls, we understand what these brave servicewomen go through, which makes the recent partnership with TRICARE, the Department of Defense's health care program for members of the uniformed services, truly significant. “Thanks to our new arrangement with TRICARE, we can now work with active duty female members of the military,” says Colleen Kula, LPC, director of admissions/outreach representative at Timberline Knolls. “Those suffering can spend the time that’s needed in an environment that promotes healing and safety.

TRICARE patients admitted to Timberline Knolls are typically approved for intensive treatment for several months because of the extent of trauma and complex co-occurring issues from which they are suffering. According to Kimberly Dennis, M.D., Timberline Knolls’ medical director, trauma affects the brain’s ability to function, and sexual trauma is particularly damaging. “Trauma can lead, in some cases, to psychological reactivity, exaggerated startle response, symptoms of avoidance and numbing, and co-morbid mood, substance abuse and/or eating disorders. Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can have devastating effects on all areas of a sufferer’s life,” says Dr. Dennis.

“Since we started working with TRICARE and its members, we have admitted women in active duty with eating disorders, substance abuse, PTSD, and self-injurious behavior,” Kula says. “We provide safety at our campus in a much less confined situation, and residents are paired with clinicians who specialize in PTSD of this magnitude.”

“It has been well-documented in research literature that women are already twice as likely to develop PTSD as men following a trauma,” says Dr. Dennis. “And in the military, women have to deal with increased rates of sexual harassment and assault.”

Timberline Knolls treats residents with complex co-occurring issues by using dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), intensive individual and group therapy in a milieu setting, as well as expressive therapy. TRICARE tends to allow more time for treatment due to the severity of the trauma.

While it is not uncommon for servicewomen to suffer from PTSD, the high levels of stress associated with being in the military often lead to substance abuse, addictions and eating disorders. Studies show that on average, women recover from PTSD more slowly than men (35 months for women, 9 months for men) and are more likely to develop substance abuse disorders than men.

Timberline Knolls has seen active servicewomen from Hawaii to Florida to Ohio, but with the recent contract with TRICARE, the staff is standing guard, ready to help even more. According to Kula, “We couldn’t be more honored to provide the compassion, support and tools to assist in each unique journey to recovery.”

Back to top^

TK and iaedp Foundation Unite to Offer National Quarterly Webinar Series for Professionals and Families

Beginning this month, Timberline Knolls begins a partnership with the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp) to bring a quarterly series, Webinars on Wellness, to the eating disorder professional community and others who are interested in learning more about this and other related topics. “Family Healing and Communication,” the first program in the series, will take place on Wednesday, March 23 from 1-2 p.m. CST and feature Dr. Kim Dennis, medical director of Timberline Knolls, and Dr. Stan Selinger, clinical psychologist and Timberline Knolls’ family therapy coordinator.

The new iaedp/Timberline Knolls webinar series will serve to educate the public, as well as the professional community on a national basis on the serious issues pertaining to eating disorders and substance abuse recovery. It is TK’s latest effort in furthering the advancement of its speakers bureau, the Clinical Development Institute, of which Dr. Dennis and Dr. Selinger are members. “Eating disorders affect not only the person suffering from the disease, but also their families and loved ones. The importance of family in recovering from an eating disorder or any mental illness cannot be overstated,” adds Dr. Selinger. “Webinars are an effective way to communicate with those individuals who seek information, help and guidance in order to find lifelong recovery from their disease, and for the loved ones and other family members trying to support them in the best way possible.”

Following the first webinar program, three more will take place this year in June, September and December, covering a variety of topics. CEUs will be offered. Details on how you can participate will be sent out via e-mail later in March.

Back to top^