Charis Center for Eating Disorders

"My time at the Charis Center has been a mix of things. I feel the providers there unintentionally make dealing with eating disorders harder. They talk to teens but often dismiss us, and the idea of being labeled as "not sick enough" or "too sick" doesn't make sense. Mary Rouse's approach feels dismissive and harsh, and it seems like that's the vibe from all the providers. Unfortunately, the providers I've met don't genuinely seem to care. The whole thing seems more focused on making money than looking out for patients' overall well-being. Though I've connected with a couple of providers, the center hasn't had much impact on my care. Dr. Rouse means well, but she could improve how she treats patients, and the overall responsiveness of the medical team to patient concerns isn't great. The eating plans, though starting off well, get a not-so-great solution from the dietitians, who suggests upping the meal plan for relapsing patients. Furthermore, if a patient doesn't adhere strictly to the plans, the providers may become upset and adopt a cold and distant demeanor. The providers seem more interested in money than genuinely caring for the well-being of patients. Parents looking at options should check out other healthcare providers."

"I went to the chairs center from 2017-2020 and i also had mixed feelings. I know many people say they were very demanding and could be very rude. Even though during my treatment that’s how i felt and I hated being there, the doctors being demanding was needed for me to get where I am now. There were many times where i was not understood or taken seriously. But after seeing Dr. Rouse for 3 years, she was always cheering me on even if was more like tough love. Recovery is hard and having people who know what’s best for you and will help you get healthy can make them seem like the enemy. That place over time really made me value my life my health so much and gave me the skills for what I needed. I still take skills from what I learned there even 4 years later."

"My daughter went to Charis for 2 years, most of which was against my better judgment during a long divorce which ended in having her leave Charis and switch to another facility much to Dr Rouse’s dismay. Do not bring your child here. Find anywhere else. Find a good therapist instead. This place is not focused on helping your child learn to deal with ED, learn about ED, or become equipped to handle any lifelong challenges that may occur and trigger an urge to fall back on the ED again. They treat your child like a CHILD. No control, no respect, no inclusion. When my daughter started with Charis she was excited to beat her ED. She wanted to work on it. She had plans and questions and ideas. She made meal plans with me and she was doing well. Dr Rouse did not want her to be able to speak or know anything. Asking questions was a ridiculous idea as far as they were concerned - she was ‘fighting’ them. They want a specific set of meals only that you need to choose and if your child isn’t doing well enough sneak in calorie packs to the food behind their back. Slowly but surely all of her enthusiasm for beating ED was bled away and she got angrier and angrier. She got worse instead of better with them. As many people have mentioned Dr Rouse and others will tell them whether they gained or lost weight every weigh in which is heartbreaking. And it is NEVER a positive experience even when they’ve gained weight. We found a place online that had a whole team that worked with the patients and consulted the parents. As I mentioned earlier Dr Rouse was quite unhappy to have us leave. She basically predicted my daughter would relapse and be in the hospital. Sorry Mary - you just aren’t qualified to care for the patients you claim you want to help because what you have in medical degrees you lack in basic human decency and kindness."

"The Charis Center gave us the tools to fight the eating disorder for our daughter. She did not have the ability to fight for herself. ED had her mind and had weakened her. Be humble. Realize this is going to be one of the hardest things you & your child will ever experience. It’s a long road. Ups & downs, forward & back. Trust the Charis Center team. They will provide compassion and encouragement but they also hold you accountable which can be uncomfortable & difficult. My daughter’s road to recovery took over two years. I’m forever thankful to the Charis Center. It takes time & effort. Your child and the family will grow strong enough to fight together."