why juliet should go to monte nido

Why should Juliet Williams go to the Monte Nido Eating Disorder Centre?

Juliet has suffered from anorexia for 17 years. She has tried a number of therapies over this period. She is now 28. In 2004 her condition deteriorated radically. She was currently resident in Auckland, so was unable to receive in-patient care at Princess Margaret Eating Disorders Centre in Christchurch.

We all made the decision that she would go to a centre overseas. The one that appeared to offer the most, was Monte Nido Residential Centre for Eating Disorders in Malibu, California. It was very expensive as they all are if they are not state funded. We made the right decision. Juliet made considerable progress there, but we could only afford 4 months altogether. Someone who is chronically anorexic as Juliet is, needs longer, perhaps 9 months, with an extra at least 6 months, in their transition house.

Every one agrees that there is a lack of facilities in NZ, especially for the chronic patient.
In the Sunday Star Times article about Juliet (June 24th 2007 ), Dr. Geoff Buckett, clinical head of the South Island Eating Disorder Centre said, “Part of the problem is that nobody really has any idea of what should be done. If you look at the guidelines put forward they don’t even mention chronic patients” Buckett said more services were being set up to manage acute episodes of eating disorders, but there was debate about how to help those with chronic conditions. “I wouldn’t say we need more money, but greater understanding and research into the disease and how to treat it”, he said.

Monte Nido Eating Disorder Centre works successfully with many chronic patients.
We have been offered and used the services of both the Auckland Eating Disorder Service and Princess Margaret and we are grateful for that.

Different methods suit different clients and therefore there are a number of reasons why we all feel that Monte Nido is the place which offers Juliet the best hope of recovery. They are:
1. The inspirational leadership of the director, Carolyn Costin. Juliet has complete trust in her. This is essential before recovery can even begin.
2. Monte Nido is not a hospital. It is a house, warm and friendly. Carolyn and her team create a family environment.
3. The fact that the therapists, including Carolyn, are highly qualified and recovered from eating disorders themselves, is important. Carolyn has found this to be one of the most significant factors in recovery.
4. The programme is intensive. The clients work hard from early morning into the evening on recovering.
5. The programme is holistic. It includes at least 4 individual therapy sessions a week, an exercise programme which is tailored to the individual, Primary group, which is 3 hours of group therapy a day, physical conditioning group, cognitive behavioural therapy, food and feelings, nutrition, family therapy, family group where the families of clients come together, creativity, art therapy, yoga, meditation and extras such as pottery, dance, horse riding, beach walk, library, book store, movies, plays, hiking, gardening etc. There is a graduation ceremony for each client.
6. They see nutritionists twice a week and also start to shop and cook for themselves. They go on meal outings, where they learn how to manage eating out.
7. There is a medical doctor and an eminent psychiatrist they all consult. They see them at least once a week and nurses three times a day.
8. There is a large staff, therefore an excellent staff/patient ratio. There are only 6 clients.
9. They eat meals six times a day and there are always 2 staff members at the table to help them.
10. Exercise Addiction is treated as a separate disorder.
11. The transition into life is through a level system and contracts.
12. Perhaps the most important reason is that every young woman is given hope of recovery and joys to live for. The programme focuses on individual goals for career, study, hobbies and passions. ( see the Saving Juliet website and the Monte Nido website, particularly “What makes our programme different”. )

There are no guarantees of recovery, but Monte Nido, we believe, offers the most hope for recovery.

We have now created a charitable trust, the idea being that firstly the money raised will be used in Juliet’s recovery, but we would then like to be able to raise money to be used for research, help for sufferers and improved facilities in NZ.

Lynn, Simon and Juliet Williams
9th July 2007