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Eating disorder treatment facility to open in Fletcher

Times News - 11/29/2017

Nov. 29--A new residential facility designed for adolescents struggling with eating disorders is set to open soon in Fletcher.

The 12-bed home will be run by Tapestry Eating Disorder Treatment Centers.

Founder and Executive Director Tina Nowak noticed a significant increase in requests for more options for adolescent care. Nowak said the facility not only treats eating disorders, but other issues such as depression, anxiety and ADHD.

The new facility is set up to be like home, she added.

The hope is to have residents in by the end of the year, January at the latest. Children ages 12-17 will be accepted. Some younger residents may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Both girls and boys will be treated. Nowak and her team have seen an increase in the number of males seeking services for eating disorders, she said.

Currently, the closest place that provides similar treatment is Durham, according to Nowak.

Patients of the program will take part in individual therapy, as well as required family therapy. They will also work with a dietician, participate in coping and body image groups, and art therapy. Medication management and trauma counseling are available.

Referrals for the facility can come from a number of sources, including therapists, pediatricians, dietitians, school counselors and family members. Dentists have even given referrals, after seeing tooth decay in their patients.

A good fit for the residential facility are those whose daily lives are impacted in almost every way by their eating disorder, Nowak explained. While the minimum stay will need to be determined once the facility is officially open and running, it currently looks to be about eight to 12 weeks.

Eating disorders can include anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, orthorexia and exercise addiction.

Jodi Grabowski, national business development liaison with Tapestry, emphasized the importance of remembering that binge eating can also be a disorder, bringing with it many unhealthy consequences, such as diabetes.

Tapestry began locally in Brevard in as a six-bed facility treating adult women. The organization expanded by offering partial hospitalization and outpatient programming. Through its various programs, Tapestry served around 150 individuals last year, Nowak estimates.

The public is invited later this week to view the facility. The open house is 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1 at 5010 Hendersonville Road in Fletcher. The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3 p.m. To RSVP, email bnowak@tapestrync.com or call 828-884-2475, ext. 2306.

For more information about Tapestry, costs and programs, go to www.tapestrync.com, or call 855-396-2604 or 828-884-2475.

Reach Rebecca Walter at rebecca.walter@blueridgenow.com

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