The Emily Program's Online Review Report Card

The staff at The Emily Program were awesome! My child did very well under their guidance and care.

I would give absolutely no stars. I was referred to this program for disordered eating problems I've struggled with. I looked up the reviews, and really should have heeded warnings. But alas, I did not. Now, I went through with the initial zoom conference in order to place me in the right treatment plan. That person was Katherine "Katie" Havesi. I had not complete any paperwork, or sign off on anything until after that initial consultation where there was no mention of having to pay for it. So, down the road a few days, I get the letter stating they contacted my insurance company, that I was approved, but then said I need to contact them as well to make sure everything would be covered. I called my insurance company the next day and was told that the Emily Program was NOT in network, and that if I went down to the main office (which would be difficult since they're in Minnesota) and got a pre-authorization completed, maybe the would pay for it, but most likely not. So I called these people and told them what my insurance said, and these women I was dealing with could not understand the meaning of not authorized, not in network. I finally told a woman named Ashley in a very distinct no voice that I was not signing up, my insurance would not cover out of network programs and to never call again. I received a notice from my insurance today, 8/12/24 that Katie Havesi sent them a bill in the amount of $315.00. For what exactly? A zoom consultation that I was never told I would be paying for before my insurance ever got involved. Maybe this program helped other people who had the right insurance, but all they have done for me is piss me off and made me feel worse. If I receive a direct bill from them, they will not like what will happen after. Hope this helps others be more alert to these types of businesses.

Amazing staff, they've go out of their way to help me, so knowledgeable and friendly. I'm learning alot. All the staff took the time to listen to me, never rushed and made me feel welcomed and comfortable. They have been very attentive to my needs and everything I've needed. My treatment plan is several hours a day, virtually and they've made accommodations to help me. I came in so nervous, skeptical and my health was worse than I thought I could of ever imagined. This program is helping me in so many ways, I couldn't ask for a better program. Highly recommended. I'll updated once I've completed treatment.

Have learned a lot about myself and how to change my relationship with food and how it affects my body and mind. The knowledge I have learned will stay with me for a lifetime and I'm so grateful for all the staff.

Everyone I've worked with has been friendly and attentive to my needs, happy to help however they can and have helped me dig deep to get to the root of my issues. I would recommend to any friends or family members needing personal care.

So complicated (yes, I completed treatment and didn't leave because I disliked some practices) My own experience ⭐⭐ Though I feel they're ⭐⭐⭐⭐ overall Videocall-group therapy was 4 Days weekly, 3 Hours each, with dinner being the first hour. The large majority of the time we sat there in near silence and that's my MAIN issue; the counselors/dieticians largely were unengaging. Occasionally we had a fill-in and I LOVED them. They were all "Okay, mics on, let's get to work, if no one volunteers to read I'mma just popcorn it around". It felt like actual work. But that was maybe four times in my ~4m I feel all the staff cared and were competent but the program's structure is too "everyone go at your own speed and ergo everyone goes at the slowest speed" and program is generalized so it's not as if you are in a group specific to binge eating if that's your issue; all ED treatment together. We're told it's a no trigger-warning space (other than discussing calorie numbers) yet my entire time in group was like playing softball with a ball of yarn. For a LONG TIME I thought I was the only one in my group who struggled with binge eating BECAUSE EVERYONE WAS SO VAGUE AND COY. I felt alone for much of it. I did get help but I could've tried harder and now two months out I'm at a new low and I absolutely do not want to re-enroll. AND MY BIGGEST COMPLAINT: I'm +21y and live in a state with recreationally legal cannabis. Because I was honest and disclosed that on average I smoke 1g of flower daily that they needed me to take a Substance Use Disorder Assessment. (This is probably on the low end for those who work in the cannabis industry; which I told them and asked "so by that logic almost everyone who works in the cannabis industry is an addict?" Yes, they said.) THEY DO NOT PROVIDE THIS ASSESSMENT. They gave VERY LITTLE instructions on how to go about this and after I figured it all out and took a 3h+ in person assessment, I was told I'd need to do a once weekly drug rehab program FOR CANNABIS on the pure basis of my daily usage. Even the person giving the evaluation said he absolutely doesn't think I have an issue and that my reasons for getting the SUD was very unusual. It was the facility supervisor(s) who ultimately made the decision despite his recommendation against (this was New Horizons). I had to take a urine test (at a totally different location over a mile away) FOR LEGALLY SMOKING POT BECAUSE I HAVE AN EATING DISORDER. And there's more; I then had to, within 5 days of this assessment, go to the court house to get a "driving history" & "criminal record" form despite; 1) I've never driven and 2) i don't have a criminal record. AND AGAIN, THERE WAS NEXT TO NO INSTRUCTIONS. It was absolutely embarrassing and infuriating. The Emily Program said I would HAVE TO complete this outside program if I wished to continue treatment with them. And there was never any discussion with the Emily Progam about if I would consider reducing my cannabis use. Nope, just straight to "We think you have an addiction to pot, you have to do this assessment but we don't do it ourselves, lol, good luck." I'm not saying I *don't* recommend EP but they are FAR from fantastic and I do absolutely warn any cannabis users to LIE about their use (for what it's worth, cannabis doesn't cause the munchies with me and i never indicated cannabis or my binge eating were ever related or otherwise negatively affecting me. They point blank said it was literally only due to my usage frequency).

Most traumatizing experience of my life

I had a very good experience with the Emily program in Spokane. Learned a lot about myself and my health. Now I know how to eat right.

It's been helpful for me, and many others I have been around that were also in the program with me. I have suggested a few of my friends to check it out.

The Emily program wrapped around my child and our family supporting her as a whole person. The therapists and dietitians and all the support staff are very empathetic and supportive. The program includes families and parents in a very positive way so that we can be supportive with our child. It is definitely a very intense experience that will challenge parents in their own growth as well as their children but definitely worth it.