For Professionals
Contact The Walker Wellness Clinic
The following questions often arise when one is considering seeking treatment at The Walker Wellness Clinic:
- “How long will the patient be enrolled in treatment?”
- “Do other family members become involved in the treatment process?”
- “Will the patient’s insurance cover the cost for treatment?”
- “How do I choose the program that is the right one for the patient or referral?”
- “Do I have the opportunity to give feedback about the patient and disclose some clinical history and data?”
- “How do I find out about the cost of treatment at The Walker Wellness Clinic?”
- “Are patients from out of town or out of the country enrolled in The Walker Wellness Clinic programs?”
- “What about aftercare and helping the patient and family find the right treatment once the patient has been discharged from The Walker Wellness Clinic?“
- “Can I email or speak to someone personally about the patient’s case or ask more questions about your program?”
- “What theoretical orientation or approach to treatment does The Walker Wellness Clinic use?”
- “What about medical clearance and medical monitoring for the patient while they are enrolled in treatment?”
- “Do you provide group psychotherapy?”
- “May the patient meet the treatment team prior to getting started?”
- “How does the patient get started and how soon can she enroll in your program?”
- “Are there any males in your program?”
- “Will the patient's treatment team members be all females?”
- “How does the patient pay for the treatment at The Walker Wellness Clinic?”
“How long will the patient be enrolled in treatment?”
Typically a patient will be enrolled from approximately three months to one year and this is contingent upon the severity of the eating disorder, medical complications, and how the patient responds to clinical recommendations and outpatient treatment. Often times the patient may decrease their level of care as they make progress such as starting with a day program and stepping down to an intensive outpatient program and then eventually a standard outpatient program.
“Do other family members become involved in the treatment process?”
The Walker Wellness Clinic requires that the family participates in family psychotherapy if the patient is an adolescent. The purpose is to give the family support and coping mechanisms on how to deal with the eating disorder. In addition, we offer a parent psycho-educational support group during the course of treatment as well as a family week of activities and support. We encourage the adults to participate in family psychotherapy as well, but it is not mandatory.
“Will the patient’s insurance cover the cost for treatment?”
We cannot guarantee that the patient will receive third party reimbursement from her insurance company, but we provide a statement if she would like to file one with her insurance. We do not work directly with insurance companies or managed care companies and we do encourage our patients to check with their insurance company prior to starting treatment.
“How do I choose the program that is the right one for the patient or referral?”
During the initial intake and assessment, a clinical recommendation will be made to help patients make a healthy decision that meets their needs. If the patient enters into a program and the treatment team thinks that the patient needs more or less intensive treatment, it will be recommended during the course of treatment.
“Do I have the opportunity to give feedback about the patient and disclose some clinical history and data?”
We elicit the professional’s and patient’s feedback at all times. In fact, we have found that by the professional having the patient sign a consent and disclosing some patient history that it often expedites the treatment process. Moreover, patients are encouraged to choose the adjunct therapy that is right for them such as cooking classes, art therapy, music therapy, or equine therapy. We value your feedback about how the patient and professional feel about the patient’s treatment and what is important to you.
“How do I find out about the cost of treatment at The Walker Wellness Clinic?”
We can email you a brochure that contains a description of the programs offered as well as the cost for treatment. The treatment is more cost effective than inpatient and residential programs and patients may continue their academic and/or occupational functioning as they are enrolled in treatment.
“Are patients from out of town or out of the country enrolled in The Walker Wellness Clinic programs?”
We have specifically designed our programs so that we welcome patients that live locally, nationally, or out of the country to be a part of the treatment process. It is our pleasure to assist patients with accommodations and sometimes it is more important for patients to attend a program out of state or out of the country because they are seeking more confidentiality and privacy.
“What about aftercare and helping the patient and family find the right treatment once the patient has been discharged from The Walker Wellness Clinic?“
Often times the clinical research and our clinical experience show that it is helpful to have continuity of patient care once the patient has been discharged from an intensive program like ours. Therefore, it is our pleasure to coordinate the quality of patient care with other healthcare professionals and treatment teams prior to discharge so that the continuity of care is a smooth transition. Once the patient signs a patient consent form, we release our medical records so that the new treatment team and/or healthcare provider has some clinical history and clinical data about the patient. We encourage the patient to return back to their original healthcare provider as long as that provider has expertise in working with formal eating disorders.
“Can I email or speak to someone personally about the patient’s case or ask more questions about your program?”
We welcome you to email or contact us personally so that we can address any questions or concerns that you might have about your patient or referral. We recognize that this is a very challenging time for the family and we want to make sure that you have the information that you need to make an informed decision regarding treatment.
“What theoretical orientation or approach to treatment does The Walker Wellness Clinic use?”
We incorporate a comprehensive team approach in working with psychologists, licensed professional counselors, clinical dietitians, adjunct therapist (i.e., art, music, or equine therapist), and exercise physiologist. Mental health professionals also incorporate Psychological Testing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and a Family Systems Approach to treatment. The dietitians and exercise physiologists often use the resting metabolic rate test, nutrition analysis, and meal therapy to treat the formal eating disorder.
“What about medical clearance and medical monitoring for the patient while they are enrolled in treatment?”
We require that the patient have medical clearance to meet criterion for outpatient treatment at The Walker Wellness Clinic. More specifically, the patient may need to complete the following: cardiac assessment, bone density testing, comprehensive medical exam, psychiatric consult, and gynecological exam. In addition, we require ongoing medical monitoring from our network of healthcare professionals that oversee the physical health of the patient.
“Do you provide group psychotherapy?”
We provide more individual sessions than most treatment programs, however, we also offer the following in a group setting: adolescent group psychotherapy, adult group psychotherapy, body image, music therapy, art therapy, nutrition education, cooking classes, parent psycho-education group, and equine therapy.
“May the patient meet the treatment team prior to getting started?”
We conduct an initial intake and assessment meeting and some of our clinical staff may be available to meet with the patient and/or the family during this meeting.
“How does the patient get started and how soon can she enroll in your program?”
We recommend that the patient reviews the various treatment programs that are offered such as the Standard Outpatient Program, Intensive Outpatient Program, and Day Program. You or the patient may contact us via email at Walkwell@msn.com or call 214-521-8969 x4 to complete an intake to see if the patient is a candidate to enroll in our program. Once the patient has completed her intake forms and our treatment team reviews this clinical information, an Intake and Assessment is scheduled and the patient may start the program immediately afterwards as long as she is medically stable and meets criterion for outpatient treatment.
“Are there any males in your program?”
The Walker Wellness Clinic provides clinical services for both the male and female genders, however the genders are not mixed in any of the group sessions. The male track for the treatment of their eating disorder is more individualized since the prevalence for the male to develop an eating disorder is on the rise.
“Will the patient's treatment team be all females?”
Our treatment team members are all females with the exception of Mr. Philip Walker, M.S., exercise physiologist and owner of The Walker Wellness Clinic.
“How does the patient pay for the treatment?”
We provide a statement for you to file with your insurance company, but we encourage you to check with your provider prior to enrolling in treatment. We only accept MasterCard, Visa or check and payment is made on a weekly basis for the clinical services that are rendered that week. Moreover, we provide your statement on a weekly basis as well if you wish to file for third party reimbursement.