Insight Psychological Centers to open a living facility for women coping with eating disorders

Aug 28 2009

On September 1, the founders of Insight Psychological Centers will open Millennium Place, a cozy urban living facility for women coping with eating disorders. Millennium Place, LLC is the first transitional housing program in Chicago developed specifically for women with anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders.

Conquering an eating disorder is not easy. Anorexia, for example, is insidious, with mortality pegged at less than 1% when the illness is first discovered, but increasing to 20% for long-time sufferers.(1) One of the reasons eating disorders persist is lack of care. The vast majority of sufferers do not receive enough care to fully heal. According to Millennium Place co-founder Dr. Jenny Conviser, "Most patients recover from eating disorders when they receive good care, but it takes time and an array of treatment methods. We created Millennium Place because Chicago needs a full arsenal. We don't want a single person to flounder."

Millennium Place fills the gap when outpatient therapy alone is inadequate and when 24-hour residential treatment has been completed or is not required. Similar to a sober living home, residents will recover with peers in a safe, supported environment while enjoying many of the freedoms of independent living.

Millennium Place has capacity for eight residents including overnight staff. A licensed dietician and daytime staff members help with grocery shopping, meal planning and preparation. Says co-founder Dr. Susan McClanahan, "There is no substitute for the natural kind of recovery that occurs with peers. In our 20 years of work in this field, we know groups are effective for treating behavioral disorders. And, they lower costs for participants."

Millennium Place is located directly across the street from Insight's flagship eating disorders treatment center in downtown Chicago. Residents will enjoy a suite of newly renovated rooms and all the amenities of living in a contemporary Michigan Avenue high-rise, including a pool, sundeck, 24-hour security, excellent views and proximity to Lake Michigan and Millennium Park.