I went to Puente de Vida from February 2011 to June 2011. I am from Texas. Going to Puente de Vida was the most important decision of my life and turned out to be the greatest and most valuable experience. I am beyond grateful to the entire staff. Steve did my intake and spent hours listening to my story and figuring out the treatment I needed. Through body work therapy, he helped other women identify their traumas that have been suppressed for years. I have heard from many women that he is the best trauma therapist in the nation and one of the few who uses body work. Dana holds a special place in my heart because she helped with my weekly family therapy and was able to do it all over the phone since my parents could not afford to travel numerous times to San Diego. I trusted her and went to her with all my struggles. I appreciated her time, attentiveness, care, sense of humor, and ways to explain things so I could understand them. Outings were also very fun with her! I would not be here without them, physically, mentally, or emotionally.
To recover from an eating disorder, someone needs treatment 24/7. ED does NOT rest; he is even present in your dreams. He greedily awaits any moment when you will be vulnerable. I was lucky to spend 3 months in residential treatment at PDV. I was moved down to PHP and IOP when they felt I was ready, otherwise they fought for my insurance company to pay for what I needed, and I am grateful for that.
PDV is so special because it is run by a family that is 100% dedicated to its patients, their family members, and their futures, ones without ED. They are all intimately involved. I have nothing but good things to say about PDV. Those, like me, who have completed their treatment and are in a good spot in recovery today will have the same positive feedback. PDV has changed our lives. I have met lifelong best friends who are amazing women. I know what FREEDOM tastes like and I fight for it every day in recovery.
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