About eating disorder care at The Princeton Center for Eating Disorders
We understand that choosing to get treatment for an eating disorder can be a big decision that impacts both the person seeking care and their loved ones. To help you better understand what care looks like at Princeton Center for Eating Disorders, we’ve provided detailed answers to common inquiries from patients and families seeking treatment.
If you believe you or a loved one may have an eating disorder, it’s important to seek help. Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and binge eating disorder can be devastating and even life-threatening. However, with the proper treatment, recovery is both achievable and sustainable. To speak with a member of our Admissions team about how we may be able to help, please call us at 888-437-1610, option 3.
We provide specialized care for children, adolescents, and adults with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, ARFID, and other eating disorders. Our clinical programming, including individual and group therapy, is intentionally structured to address the specific needs of patients at any developmental level. We also tailor individual and family participation to the needs and developmental level of our patients.
The minimum age to enter treatment at the Princeton Center for Eating Disorders is 8. Ours is one of the region’s few inpatient programs available to children at this age. The impact of eating disorders on pediatric patients can be devastating for the child and family; however, there is hope for full recovery with rapid intervention.
Our adult patient community welcomes individuals at every stage of life—from young adults beginning at age 18 to those in middle age (40s–50s) and older adulthood (60+). Patients often find comfort in connecting with peers who share similar experiences, even across different life stages.
Entering treatment can be a stressful time for many patients. To ease this transition, we provide a welcoming orientation for each patient, including a tour of our facility and an introduction to other patients. Introductions are often made at mealtimes or during community meetings, where patients have time to talk and learn more about one another.
One of the most compelling and special aspects of our program is the support and camaraderie that patients share with one another. This peer-to-peer interaction plays an integral role in the recovery process. Our daily schedule includes time for patients to relax, watch television in one of our patient lounges, play games, and participate in other activities with fellow patients who may be experiencing similar feelings and concerns.
Although patients share clinical treatment teams, children under 18 are completely separate from adults, with dedicated spaces and schedules for pediatric care.
Adult patients (aged 18+) may bring phones and laptop computers. Children and adolescents under the age of 18 are welcome to bring electronic devices that do not have access to the internet or cameras and may bring a laptop to access school services. Media time is designated by the treatment team during scheduled times.
Patients may bring personal items, such as special bedding or photographs. We believe it’s important for patients to feel comfortable during their treatment, and we encourage them to bring items from home that will support a sense of security and well-being. Ask your admissions clinician for a checklist on what to bring to the hospital and what to leave at home.
Visiting time is scheduled every evening on weekdays, and more frequently on the weekends. Princeton Medical Center is easy to get to by car [link to locations page], train (Amtrak to Trenton), and air (Newark, NJ or Philadelphia, PA).
A number of hotels in the area provide discounted rates for patients’ families who are visiting. For more information on hotel accommodations, call us at 888-437-1610, option 3. Our staff will work with families who are out of town to accommodate their scheduling needs.
Certified teachers follow students’ current school curriculum so that our school-aged patients are able to keep up with their studies throughout treatment. Our teaching staff coordinates with guidance counselors and assists with getting homework and lessons as needed.
Because our program is located within Princeton Medical Center (PMC), patients have access to a full range of medical specialists, including endocrinologists, gastroenterologists, and cardiologists. If a medical condition requires hospitalization, patients can be transferred to another unit within the hospital and often return to treatment once the acute issue has been addressed.
Pediatricians from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) are on site 24/7 to provide consultations as needed.
The safety and well-being of our patients is our top priority. Our Center is located in a dedicated section of the hospital designed exclusively for patients with eating disorders. The unit has two controlled access points, and a registered nurse is on site 24/7, supported by physicians and a team of professionals who provide continuous oversight and care.
For younger patients, additional safety protocols are in place to ensure a secure environment.
Princeton Medical Center’s welcoming Chapel of Light is supported by the hospital’s Department of Religious Ministries. Chaplains are available to patients, families, and friends. They support people from all religious faiths, as well as those without an affiliation.
Yes. Our staff will work with patients to accommodate specific dietary needs, such as kosher or vegetarian diets. Our team reviews medical documentation closely so that we can safely provide care to those with food allergies. Our Executive Chef works regularly with our professional team to support our patients’ nutritional and dietary goals.