Spring 2008

Who We Are

Summit Eating Disorders and Outreach Program is a medically supervised, comprehensive treatment program in Sacramento, California, serving adults and adolescents with anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. We offer a variety of levels of care depending on your needs. Our approach is comprehensive, compassionate, and thorough. We believe that everyone can recover, and we make it our job to see this happen.

Housing at Summit

Our patients come from throughout the United States, and for those residing outside of the greater Sacramento area, we offer free housing while they are receiving treatment.

Summit in the News

Thanks to everyone who came out and participated in events during National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, or NEDAW, which was held February 24 - March 1. We were able to donate dozens of pairs of jeans to charity, thanks to your generous donations for the Great Jeans Giveaway!

If you missed the Jeans Giveaway, maybe you saw us on the news or heard us on the radio. NEDAW is able to be a success due to the combined efforts nationwide: countless schools, treatment centers, and other organizations join forces to raise awareness about eating disorders and boost positive body image across the country!

Upcoming Events

Save the Date!Summit's Annual Symposium is coming up on October 3rd, 2008! Check our Events page for details, coming soon!

Tony Paulson, PhD, Executive Director of Summit, continues to lead CEU seminars for MFTs, LCSWs, Psychologists, RNs, and RDs. Up next: Tahoe on June 30th! If you're interested in registering, please email Peach Friedman.

Why She Feels Fat: A Book for Loved Ones

Available Now! Co-authored by Tony Paulson, PhD, Executive Director of Summit, the new edition of this book is now available for purchase. Why She Feels Fat: Understanding Your Loved One's Eating Disorder and How You Can Help gives families, friends, and loved ones the answers they need by explaining how sufferers experience their eating disorders.

Winter 2008

New Year, New Focus

The year 2007 was one of significant change for Summit. In the past 12 months, we have experienced tremendous growth in all areas of our treatment programs, higher demand for our educational seminars and the expansion of our office. But as is so common with growth, it necessitates change.

In order to continue to expand our programs, our board of directors elected to separate our program, forming a non-profit foundation and a psychological corporation. The non-profit board of directors will remain, with the primary focus on education, outreach and raising funds for our treatment scholarship program. The psychological corporation will oversee all aspects of the clinical programs, including Day Treatment and the Intensive Outpatient programs. The owners of the new corporation will by Tony Paulson, PhD, and myself.

With all the change one thing will remain the same: the commitment to provide the best care to individuals and families struggling with eating disorders. With the collective energy and compassion from our staff and board of directors, I have no doubt that we will continue to help those with eating disorders heal their minds, bodies and spirits. We look forward to your support in doing so this year.

Jennifer Lombardi, MFT
Director of Program Development

Taking Eating Disorders Seriously

Unfortunately, we were reminded this week of how serious eating disorders are, as a former Summit patient passed away due to complications resulting from her eating disorder. This tragic event reminds us that people suffering from eating disorders are indeed in a fight for their lives.

The pain and suffering people with eating disorders endure is seen by few, but don’t let that make you believe that the pain does not exist. If your loved one has an eating disorder, don’t let the fact that they are getting good grades or doing well at work fool you into believing that they are okay. They are, in fact, experiencing tremendous emotional pain throughout their days. Don’t let their ambivalence to treatment fool you either, or their reports that it’s just not that bad. It is bad. It’s so bad, in fact, that people are losing their lives.

It is a tremendous loss, a young person not having the opportunity to grow into an adult. If we want to save these lives, we need to treat eating disorders for what they are: life threatening disorders. They are not behaviors of vanity. They are biological compulsions that are often beyond the control of their victims. No one chooses to die from eating disorders.

Tony Paulson, Ph.D.
Executive Director

Welcome New Staff

Katie Polsky, Ph.D.
Dr. Polsky has extensive experience in Eating Disorder treatment, research, and outreach since 1997. She has worked in both outpatient and residential treatment programs for both males and females who have eating disorders. Dr. Polsky has advanced training in issues related to gender and sexual orientation (LGBTQ), identity development and trauma. Her experience includes working with individuals, couples, groups, and families. She uses an integrative approach to treatment drawing heavily from psychodynamic, feminist, and interpersonal theories as well as cognitive behavioral.

Peach Friedman, Education & Outreach Coordinator
Peach Friedman is Summit's Education & Outreach Coordinator, as well as the Pilates and Strong Bodies teacher in the Day Treatment program. She has a background in eating disorders education and fitness, and lectures extensively on both subjects. Peach’s first book, Diary of an Exercise Addict, is forthcoming in January 2009. In addition, Peach is a spokesperson for the National Eating Disorders Association, and a Personal Fitness Trainer specializing in health & wellness for women.

Shannon Buri, Administrative Assistant
Shannon has been working in the administrative field for several years. She grew up in Santa Cruz and is new to the Sacramento area. She has a passion for her work, and enjoys being a part of the Summit staff.

Summit Celebrates National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

Eating Disorders like anorexia and bulimia affect up to 10% of American girls and women, and up to 1% of American boys and men. This growing national concern is behind the annual National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDAW), a week-long campaign for recovery and outreach effort taking place all across the country. Summit Eating Disorders and Outreach Program is participating in several events during 2008’s NEDAW, held February 24-March 1, and the theme, assigned by the National Eating Disorders Association, is, “Be comfortable in your genes. Wear jeans that fit the TRUE you.” Below is a schedule of events for NEDAW 2008.

Monday, February 25
6:00-8:00pm
An Evening of Hope and Great Jeans Giveaway
With Tony Paulson, Ph.D., Clinical Director of SEDOP and author of “Why She Feels Fat: Understanding Your Loved Ones Eating Disorder and How You Can Help”
Community members are invited to bring old pairs of jeans that do not fit comfortably, and SEDOP will donate them to local organizations in need of clothing donations. This is part of the National Eating Disorders Association’s effort to empower girls, women, boys, and men to be true to their genes and boost positive body image.
Location: SEDOP Conference Center
*This event is free & open to the public

Tuesday, February 26
7:00-9:00pm
How to Help a Loved One Deal with an Eating Disorder
With Tony Paulson, Ph.D., Clinical Director of SEDOP and author of “Why She Feels Fat: Understanding Your Loved Ones Eating Disorder and How You Can Help”
Location: UC Davis
*This event is free & open to the public

Wednesday, February 27
4:00-6:00pm
Bodies in Motion: for Athletes, Coaches, Personal Trainers, and Friends
With Peach Friedman, Education & Outreach Coordinator
Location: UC Davis
*This event is free & open to the public

Thursday, February 28
11:30-1:30
How to Help a Loved One Deal with an Eating Disorder
With Tony Paulson, Ph.D., Clinical Director of SEDOP and author of “Why She Feels Fat: Understanding Your Loved Ones Eating Disorder and How You Can Help”
Location: Sacramento State University
*This event is free & open to the public

5:30-7:30pm
Eat, Pray, Love: Finding Insight and Inspiration for Eating Disorder Recovery
With Jennifer Lombardi, MFT, Executive Director of SEDOP
Location: UC Davis
*This event is free & open to the public

5:00-6:30pm
Exercise and Eating Disorders
With Peach Friedman, Education & Outreach Coordinator
Location: UC San Francisco
*This event is open only to UCSF students, faculty, & staff

Other Upcoming Events

Summit’s Clinical Director, Tony Paulson, Ph.D., continues to tour the region offering 6 CEUs to psychologists, LCSWs, MFTs, RDs, and RNs for his course, Therapeutic Strategies for the Treatment of Anorexia and Bulimia. Visit our Events page for details.