Meet Center for Discovery Eating Disorder Therapist and Program Director Emily Walkley, LMFT
Hi everyone! I’ve recently gotten to know San Diego eating disorder therapist Emily Walkley, LMFT. She is the program director at Center for Discovery’s Outpatient Eating Disorder Treatment Center in Del Mar, California. I was really impressed with how passionate Emily is about treating eating disorders, especially with the LGBTQIAA+ population. I can really relate to that! I’m excited that you’ll get to know Emily and learn about the awesome programs at CFD!
Why did you choose to become an eating disorder specialist in San Diego?
I actually fell into eating disorders by chance! I was living in Oregon right after grad school and cast a wide net for my first job in the field of mental health. I ended up working at a residential facility for eating disorders. My second week working in the facility, I was able to sit in on several group therapy sessions over a family weekend, and it solidified everything for me. It was then that I realized that treating eating disorders is the work I’m meant to do. I worked in both residential and PHP/IOP facilities in Los Angeles until 2019, during which time I also opened a private practice. In the beginning of 2019, I decided to move to San Diego to join the team at Center for Discovery – Del Mar Outpatient.
What kind of treatment do you provide?
I’m the program director at Center for Discovery’s outpatient facility in Del Mar where we offer PHP/IOP programs for clients of all genders, ages 10 and up. We work as a multi-disciplinary team of therapists, dietitians, counselors, diet techs, as well a team psychiatrist, to support our clients in their journeys to a recovered life. We offer individual, family, and group therapy, as well as individual and family dietary sessions. We also have supportive, staff-supervised meals and snacks, plus medication management with our team psychiatrist.
As program director, I’m still able to take on a very small caseload and lead several groups with our clients throughout the week. In terms of my personal approach, I’m truly a humanist at heart. I place a great deal of value on my clients’ personal experiences. My goal is to help clients free themselves from limitations and align with their authentic selves. I am very much solution-focused and like to build on my clients’ unique strengths, circumstances, and resources to implement changes so they can toreach more fulfilling futures.
Do you work with only eating disorders?
At CFD, we primarily treat eating disorders, though many of our clients also struggle with a variety of co-occurring disorders, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc.
How long have you been working with eating disorders overall, and how long have you been in San Diego?
I’ve been working with eating disorders since 2012, when I began as a flood counselor in a residential treatment setting in Oregon. I’ve held many positions in the treatment world, including facility coordinator, primary therapist, lead therapist, and now program director. I moved to San Diego in February 2019 after spending most of my life in LA.
Who are your favorite types of clients to work with?
I love to work with clients who are needing to be pushed out of their comfort zones – it gives us an opportunity to get creative in the recovery process! Some of my favorite clients to work with are actually those who aren’t sure that recovery is for them. I was once told that my job as an eating disorder therapist is to hold the hope for my clients when they don’t have it or can’t hold it for themselves. I love to walk alongside our clients in each step of their journey as they get to experience the benefits of letting go of their eating disorder and finding or realigning with their authentic selves. In addition, I especially enjoy working with members of the LGBTQIAA+ community as well as with athletes/former athletes.
What happens during a first appointment with you?
I’m generally meeting with prospective clients or family/loved ones prior to admitting to the program. During these meetings, I may be assessing prospective clients or giving tours of the facility to shed some light on the work we do and what to expect out of treatment. My main goal in a first meeting is to answer any questions someone may have about treatment. It’s a commitment to admit to a program, and everyone deserves to feel assured enough to take a step forward in whatever direction feels right for them, whether that leads to them admitting to our program or otherwise. I conduct clinical assessments with prospective clients to help formulate a recommendation for the initial level of care that will be most supportive in their recovery.
You work in both partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient programs (IOP). Would you explain the difference in both settings?
Our PHP (partial hospitalization) program has two offerings – PHP lasts 7 hours/day, starting at 6 days/week and the PHP-Extended program is 9 hours/day, starting at 6 days/week. Our IOP (intensive outpatient) program is 3 hours/day, starting at 5-6 days/week.
Regardless of the specific level of care within outpatient, our clients participate in a variety of group therapy sessions and supportive meals/snack on a daily basis, along with weekly (IOP) or twice weekly (PHP & PHP-E) individual therapy and dietary sessions. Clients in the PHP programs also meet weekly with our team psychiatrist for medication management. Involvement of each client’s support system is crucial, so we also offer family therapy sessions, plus a weekly night of comprehensive family programming during which family/loved ones join us for two hours of group therapy, followed by a multi-family meal. I use the term “family” quite liberally here – this doesn’t just blood relatives! We’ve incorporated roommates, cousins, coaches, co-workers…anyone who is or will be a support to our clients is welcome!
The Del Mar outpatient facility also recently debuted our NeuroCenter services, including EMDR sessions and neurofeedback (using BrainPaint technology), which we are very, very excited about!
What do you wish people knew about getting treatment for eating disorders?
There may never be a perfect or ideal time to seek treatment. Just go for it. I meet with a lot of folks and families who say they’re not sure it’s the right time for treatment. Although I fully understand that there are plenty of life circumstances that affect someone’s ability to seek/initiate help for an eating disorder, it’s unlikely that there will ever been a perfect time. The sooner someone seeks the support, the sooner they’ll be able to step back into a fulfilling, sustainable life. The longer it’s put off, someone may be putting themselves at risk for ultimately needing a higher and more disruptive level of care.
How can people learn more and contact you?
The quickest/best way to reach me is by email: emily.walkley@centerfordiscovery.com. I’m always happy to set up tours and meetings with local professionals to share more about the work that my team does. Information about the Del Mar outpatient facility can be found at https://centerfordiscovery.com/locations/del-mar-outpatient/. Our admissions team can be reached 7 days/week at 888-480-3821.
Share one fun fact about you that most people don’t know.
I worked as a cake decorator for several years throughout my grad school experience. If I hadn’t studied psychology, I would’ve pursued visual or culinary arts. I often bring my love of art and creativity into the room with my clients!
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Hey everyone, I really appreciate you reading my blog! Have a wonderful day. :)
Marianne
If you are struggling to find eating disorder treatment with help with binge eating in San Diego, schedule a free, 15-minute phone consultation using the online scheduler (just click on the orange button), and I will help you get where you need to be!
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