Monte Nido Launches New Adolescent Residential Program On Long Island

NORTHPORT, NY — Monte Nido, an eating disorder treatment provider, announced a new residential treatment program for female teenagers.

Monte Nido Clementine North Shore, located at 254 Bread and Cheese Hollow Road, Northport, provides care for teenagers who identify as girls ages 12 through 18 who are seeking treatment for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, ARFID or other eating disorders.

Monte Nido Clementine North Shore is open and accepting new clients. More information can be found on the website.

"Eating disorders are continually on the rise, and constant exposure to social media and unrealistic body standards are a contributing factor — especially in adolescents," said Cassie McLean, CEO of Monte Nido, in a news release. "We are committed to providing more access to compassionate care, ensuring that individuals can navigate these challenges with the help they deserve and the tools they need for recovery."

Brittany Bacarella, clinical director for Monte Nido Clementine in New York, said eating disorders can "happen to anyone regardless of any gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, size, weight or age."

"We can't necessarily say that one is impacted more [between boys and girls]," Bacarella told Patch. "But I can share with you that by age 6, girls specifically start to express concerns about their own weight or shape. About 40 to 60 percent of elementary school girls ages 6 through 12 are concerned about their weight or becoming too fat."

Monte Nido Clementine North Shore strives to integrate "personalized clinical and nutritional care with comprehensive academic and family support," it stated. Treatment is sensitive to the developmental needs of adolescents, using "state-of-the-art approaches," research and outcomes data. Treatment teams emphasize a philosophy of connection and teamwork with each client’s family, aiming to instill hope and trust while providing the resources needed for healing.

"Monte Nido Clementine provides holistic, person-centric care with unique treatment plans tailored to the needs of each adolescent," said Molly Perlman, chief medical officer of Monte Nido. "Our personalized treatments reflect our desire for individuals to not only replace eating disorders with healthy skills, but also gain an understanding of how to live a life that embraces their individuality."

Bacarella said the "state-of-the-art approach" includes different evidence-based treatments, such as cognitive processing therapy and other evidence-based treatments. Monte Nido Clementine also use research and outcomes data to guide our approach, she said.

Considering the substantial occurrence of PTSD among people experiencing eating disorders, Monte Nido Clementine North Shore stated it will provide evidence-based trauma treatments that incorporate cognitive processing therapy, a "gold standard approach to trauma treatment."

"By providing distinctive treatment for both the eating disorder and PTSD, we’re equipping clients with the tools and coping skills to self-manage symptoms and maintain recovery," Perlman said. "We believe that with the right treatment and support, recovery is possible no matter what stage someone is in with their eating disorder."

Monte Nido Clementine North Shore is the third Monte Nido Clementine program in the state of New York, complementing Monte Nido Clementine Briarcliff Manor, a residential program that treats female-identifying adolescents and Monte Nido Clementine Hudson Valley, a residential program that treats adolescents of all genders.

Bacarella said Monte Nido programs all run similarly.

"We have similar schedules and use the same approaches," said Bacarella, who works at Clementine North Shore after having transferred from an adult program in Glen Cove. "We do have many staff members who have transferred from other locations, myself included ... We do have many staff members who experienced in eating disorders and things like that, as well."

For more information or to inquire about treatment at Monte Nido Clementine North Shore, people may visit the Monte Nido website or call 888-228-1253.