The following describes how the different professionals work within the CCHL team.

PHYSICIAN:  our pediatrician (for kids/teens) and internal medicine doctor (for adults) HEAD the medical team and COORDINATE care within the program.  The M.D. also serves as a LIAISON with the referring professional or the primary care doctor.  The initial intake process is usually done by the physician, and consists of 1-3 visits.  As a result of that process, the program plan is set, which rotates patients through the professionals below.  Periodically, follow up is set with M.D. to assess progress and determine the course ahead.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN:  our R.D. performs a dietary assessment and nutritional analysis.  She then recommends a food plan based on the needs of the individual.  Follow up is imperative to ensure that the tools given are working for the individuals or families and that troubleshooting can occur over time.

THERAPIST:  CCHL uses a variety of therapists to support the needs of the individuals.  Basic issues covered include:  working with parents to optimally support their kids around food and body image; reducing tension within the family around food and weight; understanding underlying dynamics contributing to an unhealthy relationship with food;  addressing physical self esteem and body image.  We accommodate needs that range from a one-time visit only, to regular weekly therapy.

FOOD CONSULTANT:  our CHEF, who supports IMPLEMENTATION of the ideas given by the R.D.  Services offered include:  an in-home assessment or a consultation at the CCHL office; menu planning; recipe planning; cooking lessons; step-by-step grocery shopping; and oversight of organization and logistics of feeding oneself or a family.

TRAINERS:  CCHL’s certified fitness trainers work in various geographic locations to coordinate this arm of the patient’s care.  Services offered include:  general assessment of ALL forms of activity and exercise done over the week to reach ultimate goal of one hour a day most days of the week;  training around the sport of a patient’s choice;  accountability;  exploring new fitness options;  providing home-based workouts to increase active time.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST:  This professional works off-site to help with our picky eaters. She assesses whether or not there are physical reasons why there is a narrow food repertoire, and works together with our psychologist and physician to address the many layers involved in these situations.  Whether or not there are physical reasons, she can help desensitize the patient to foods that have been taboo, and thereby increase the patient’s range of foods.