"I would like to express my family’s thanks to Community Connections and Karen for a job well done. My daughter entered the ED Group Home there after spending two months at another Treatment Center. From the start Karen was the face and voice of Community Connections both for my daughter and our family setting the tone for the overall positive experience she had during her stay. I immediately sensed Karen’s concern for the clients, professional demeanor and willingness to work diligently to guarantee a positive, therapeutic experience. She went the extra mile seeking out our daughter, listening to her needs and keeping my husband and myself informed of her treatment plan while remaining open to our suggestions. Karen is a wonderful example of someone dedicated to helping clients, skilled in the workings of the mental health system and compassionate/insightful in her assessment of the client’s needs. After a short stay at the Union Hills Group Home we have decided it is time for our daughter to move back home and are confident she has learned and practiced vital skills in coping with her eating disorder there preparing her to face the next chapter of her recovery. We will always be grateful to Community Connections and Karen Jorgensen for helping launch our daughter into a healthy future for herself." - GF
"I came to Community Connections after my first stay at another facility. The first thing I appreciated was getting my own personal meal plan from the dietician. I liked the flexibility the dietician displayed concerning my likes and dislikes. I appreciated the knowledge that was passed down to me about portion sizes. After just a few weeks I was able to assemble my meals using correct portion sizes. I also enjoyed coming to the hospital building Monday through Thursday for group sessions in a relaxed atmosphere with people that could relate to my illness. The feed back was incredible - I could totally relate with all group members. My favorite group was psychotherapy with the therapist. It allowed me to talk to like-minded individuals about my thoughts and feelings, something I don't do outside of group. I enjoyed the Wednesday food experiment where we would bring something that was generally a 'fear food' and challenge ourselves to confront this fear amongst others that felt the same way. Afterwards we would fill out a sheet describing how we felt before and after the meal. I appreciate all of the lessons and feedback I've received from the staff and my peers. I am at a place right now where I know what I 'should' be doing, it's just the application of loving myself unconditionally that I find very difficult. It's difficult to undo years of negative thinking. We are all works in progress." - R.
"I came to be a client in Community Connections Intensive Outpatient Program unexpectedly, thinking I had been referred to CC for one-on-one counseling, maybe once a week. When I learned it was an IOP I panicked! At first I resisted, wanting to attend once or twice a week. Then, the Treatment Team and fellow clients drew me in, inspiring me to commit fully to my recovery. I am graduating from the program tomorrow after 7 months. While 7 months does seem like a long time, out of my almost 42 years on this earth I learned and grew more in that time than in my whole life. Our nutritionist worked out a healthy meal plan for me that has been very easy to follow. She has taught me to be more flexible with my food choices, giving me the liberty to modify my meal plan appropriately. She also introduced the intuitive hunger/fullness scale, which I am now beginning to implement. Our therapist taught me so much about freedom and letting go of fear. She has guided me through some trauma work and has supported me through a maturing process which has brought me closer to healthy interdependence. Through her I have learned valuable lessons such as 'Get our of your own way' and "Don't become attached to the outcome' and countless more which I have allowed to change my life! She counsels in a loving and refreshingly humorous manner. Art therapy has been integral to my recovery, helping me to recognize and understand issues or growth that may not have been otherwise discovered. I have enjoyed it so much that I'm considering it as a career. Lastly, I have learned a lot in our peer groups, which focus on such topics as body image, relationships, and healthy coping skills. With pertinent, informative teaching; group discussions; and most of all the loving support and accountability of my peers have made my experience at CC so successful. I have grown to love my group members as family and have welcomed many into my heart as treasured friends. Through CC I have learned to be willing. At one time during my time a CC, after I had been given the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary for recovery I still hit a wall. There were times when I wanted to give up. There were times when I believed recovery for me was impossible. Now, I've been able to go beyond intellectual knowledge to applied truth; practicing my knowledge, living it out, focusing daily on gratitude, and finally walking in my wisdom. I now have a renewed passion for healing and wholeness. I am learning every day, growing and progressing in my recovery. I'm celebrating every victory and learning from every choice. Most significantly, I've learned that I do have choice and it is powerful! Thank you from my heart of hearts." - T.
"During an early December medication check I mentioned I had resumed purging. The Doctor at JFCS had me see a counselor who recommended Community Connections. By the end of January I found myself sitting in a class with other women struggling from similar issues that manifest into eating disorders. It was such a relief to have someplace to go where I felt understood. I wasn't alone. The structure of daily therapy and classes helped me to understand my emotional turmoil and use positive coping skills when under stress. I am now able to bring these skills home and use them on a daily basis. I can truly say I love my body and all it does for me."
"I came to Community Connections after my first stay at another facility. The first thing I appreciated was getting my own personal meal plan from the dietician. I liked the flexibility the dietician displayed concerning my likes and dislikes. I appreciated the knowledge that was passed down to me about portion sizes. After just a few weeks I was able to assemble my meals using correct portion sizes. I also enjoyed coming to the hospital building Monday through Thursday for group sessions in a relaxed atmosphere with people that could relate to my illness. The feed back was incredible - I could totally relate with all group members. My favorite group was psychotherapy with the therapist. It allowed me to talk to like-minded individuals about my thoughts and feelings, something I don't do outside of group. I enjoyed the Wednesday food experiment where we would bring something that was generally a 'fear food' and challenge ourselves to confront this fear amongst others that felt the same way. Afterwards we would fill out a sheet describing how we felt before and after the meal. I appreciate all of the lessons and feedback I've received from the staff and my peers. I am at a place right now where I know what I 'should' be doing, it's just the application of loving myself unconditionally that I find very difficult. It's difficult to undo years of negative thinking. We are all works in progress." - R.
"I came to be a client in Community Connections Intensive Outpatient Program unexpectedly, thinking I had been referred to CC for one-on-one counseling, maybe once a week. When I learned it was an IOP I panicked! At first I resisted, wanting to attend once or twice a week. Then, the Treatment Team and fellow clients drew me in, inspiring me to commit fully to my recovery. I am graduating from the program tomorrow after 7 months. While 7 months does seem like a long time, out of my almost 42 years on this earth I learned and grew more in that time than in my whole life. Our nutritionist worked out a healthy meal plan for me that has been very easy to follow. She has taught me to be more flexible with my food choices, giving me the liberty to modify my meal plan appropriately. She also introduced the intuitive hunger/fullness scale, which I am now beginning to implement. Our therapist taught me so much about freedom and letting go of fear. She has guided me through some trauma work and has supported me through a maturing process which has brought me closer to healthy interdependence. Through her I have learned valuable lessons such as 'Get our of your own way' and "Don't become attached to the outcome' and countless more which I have allowed to change my life! She counsels in a loving and refreshingly humorous manner. Art therapy has been integral to my recovery, helping me to recognize and understand issues or growth that may not have been otherwise discovered. I have enjoyed it so much that I'm considering it as a career. Lastly, I have learned a lot in our peer groups, which focus on such topics as body image, relationships, and healthy coping skills. With pertinent, informative teaching; group discussions; and most of all the loving support and accountability of my peers have made my experience at CC so successful. I have grown to love my group members as family and have welcomed many into my heart as treasured friends. Through CC I have learned to be willing. At one time during my time a CC, after I had been given the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary for recovery I still hit a wall. There were times when I wanted to give up. There were times when I believed recovery for me was impossible. Now, I've been able to go beyond intellectual knowledge to applied truth; practicing my knowledge, living it out, focusing daily on gratitude, and finally walking in my wisdom. I now have a renewed passion for healing and wholeness. I am learning every day, growing and progressing in my recovery. I'm celebrating every victory and learning from every choice. Most significantly, I've learned that I do have choice and it is powerful! Thank you from my heart of hearts." - T.
"During an early December medication check I mentioned I had resumed purging. The Doctor at JFCS had me see a counselor who recommended Community Connections. By the end of January I found myself sitting in a class with other women struggling from similar issues that manifest into eating disorders. It was such a relief to have someplace to go where I felt understood. I wasn't alone. The structure of daily therapy and classes helped me to understand my emotional turmoil and use positive coping skills when under stress. I am now able to bring these skills home and use them on a daily basis. I can truly say I love my body and all it does for me."
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