Remuda Life Programs

I attended the Remuda Ranch Life Program for 45 days starting April 2013. It was my third and most serious attempt at treatment, and I would call it a success. There were many things I did not enjoy about the program, but compared to the other treatment centers I have been to, it was very well-​rounded and helpful, as well as comfortable. The staff is overall very sincere and approachable. I felt trusting in them, which is important. The therapist I was assigned (Kristen) was amazing.
I think people put a lot of pressure and expectations into these treatment programs. the reviews are almost always very harsh and nit-​picking. It is NEVER GOING TO BE a pleasant experience, it is HARD and uncomfortable, but being open and trusting can help.
I would say that it is not the best environment for people suffering with binge eating/​bulimia/​EDNOS. there is a lot of free time and access to food at night, with little accountability. I also experienced some trouble with people around me using behaviors which I found triggering, but since treatment I have realized that seeing these triggers were very important in getting used to being in the «real world» and recovered.
The group work (therapy) seemed to repeat after a few weeks.
Overall, I think this is a great program for people who are truly READY to get better. it is not the highest level of care that someone who needs medical help would do well in.

I attended in May 2014 and I must say I was really disappointed in this program… wasnt worth my money. I was made A LOT of broken promises, and will elaberate on them when I get more time to write a better review… but for now _​dont settle, shop around :/
So I noticed that there are no «updated Reviews» on RR and would like to put my 2 cents in hopefully to help others.
I was in the Remuda Ranch Life Program (outpatient) around May 2014 — I did not go to Rio RR which was the more intense treatment in WIckenburg (inpatient) _​First of all I heard from many people that RIO was awesome and that everyone there was so caring and thoughtful!
however, the Life Program was ooookay, I LOVED THE GIRLS THERE with me and my therapist Tyler was AWESOME! (despite his very very busy schedule — so it was hard to see him twice a week — like promised)
but the groups we’d attend, about 25% of them I got something out of, like really got something from. The rest were kind of unorganized and thoughtless.
The pool was NEVER open so dont let them get you with that one lol!
The behavioural health techs (BHTs) were not what I thought they would be, they basically gave us our meds and that was it, they were a HUGE disappointment to me!
My first day they sent me on my way and didnt check on me once! They were sooooooo unorganized never on the same page with eachother
— ALWAYS under staffed, the girls at the RLP got away with sooo much because the BHTs never checked in on us,
Half the girls there (more then half) had their cells phones the whole time, razors, and coffee…
And I only seen my pychiastrist once! Once! and they charged my insurance for her ONLY $ 5,000 dollars.
RIO is good from what I hear, but RLP is ok, I just expected more for the price… and was really disappointed in the amount of concern from the directors of the program. Maybe shop around first if you are thinking about RLP.

This is the step-​down continuing programme for Remuda Ranch Facility for Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa, and a residential centre for women with binge-​eating disorder and compulsive overeating. I was there from 10 February 2008 — 11 March 2008.
FAQS (for adult programming):
+Describe the average day:
–Wake up at ~6
–Weigh-​ins MWF (can be weighed in pyjamas/​no gowns)
–Preparation and breakfast from 6 – 7 (I think?)
–Chapel (teaching, praise and worship) at 7 (I think?)
–Groups/​appointments
–Snack at ~10 (grab on the go)
–Groups/​appointments
–Preparation and lunch from 12 – 1
–Groups/​appointments
–Snack at ~3 (grab and go)
–Groups/​appointments
–Free time
–Preparation and dinner from 6 – 7
–Free time (must be back in the cul-​de-​sac by 9)
–Snack at ~9
–Free time
–Bedtime whenever
+What sorts of food were available or served?
Meals are prepared by the residents. One girl is assigned meal preparation for each meal, and if in a full house, that means preparation for seven girls. Also, each girl is allowed 3 food dislikes. During a nutrition group, you can choose a few of the meals for your house (making sure you follow the food group requirements), and the rest of the meals are decided weekly by the dietitians. Snacks are chosen by the house during this nutrition meeting, as well.
Sample menu:
Breakfast– PB & banana quesadilla, milk
Lunch– grilled chicken, lettuce, and italian dressing wrap, mandarin oranges
Dinner– tilapia, couscous, brocolli, apple with caramel dip
+Did they supplement any unfinished food? How did that system work?
You were supplemented for whatever you didn’t eat, and if you needed to restore weight that would be through supplements (like Ensure Plus, Boost products, and Resource products) as well. They do not do NG tubes here.
+What privileges are allowed?
–Mall trips (can walk there with a buddy)
–Internet access during weekly library visits
–Cell phones allowed
–Shaving razors (unlike at Remuda Ranch)
–More exercise (depending on dietitian recommendation)
–Cable TV/​DVDs
–Secular music (at Remuda Ranch, only Christian/​Classical music is allowed)
–Magazines/​books
–Smoke as much as you want
–Flush your own toilet
–GENERALLY MORE FREEDOM THAN REMUDA RANCH
+Does it work on a level system?
Yes. Red, yellow, green status. Typically, you come in at the same status that you were on at Remuda Ranch. If you are a direct admit, you are on red at first, but quickly transferred to yellow. Red typically means no activities, on couch rest, on eyesight (they watch you from a distance), etc. Yellow usually means you have some limitations with outings and physical activity. Green means you’re good to go! There is no transport around the cul-​de-​sac, unlike at Remuda Ranch.
+What sort of groups do they have?
–Stress management
–Body image
–Nutrition
–Art
–Cooking group
–Process group (feelings check/​house discussion)
–Recreation planning (outings, etc)
–Form (Christian meditation/​yoga)
–Christian growth
–Experiential group
–Emotion regulation
–Volunteering (optional, but if you go, you can earn paid recreational outings)
No equine/​canine or challenge course here. Also, for those in the alcoholics programme (mandatory 45-​day stay), they have transportation to an AA-​type meeting. COE/​BED patients also have extra exercise groups, I believe.
+What was your favorite group?
Probably art therapy, like at the Ranch.
+What was your least favorite group?
Cooking group– we had to cook with the dietitian and eat family-​style! :\
+What did you like the most?
–The freedom in relativity to Remuda Ranch
–Friendships made
–Able to smoke whenever
–Walking to Target to develop photos
–Walking to the mall to shop
+What did you like the least?
–Difficult meal plans
–Using Ensure for weight restoration (preferred the NG tube at the Ranch)
–Groups (not very organised)
+Would you recommend this program?
Probably not, unless you just need a «tune-​up» or a little more structure than outpatient treatment. There is a lot of freedom here, and you have to be in a good place emotionally/​mentally in order to do well. Also, must be very positive about recovery.
+What level of activity of exercise was allowed?
For those who had the okay from their dietitian, 1 hour/​3x per week. For me, I was only allowed 15 mn/​day and walking to and from the mall (nearby). Others were on «couch rest,» meaning they could not leave the cul-​de-​sac.
+What did people do on weekends?
–Chandler mall
–Library
–Movies
–Laser tag
–Build-​a-​Bear
–Paint-​your-​own pottery
–Bowling
–Ice skating
–Meal/​visitor passes
–Cornerstone Church on Sundays
–Volunteering on Saturday
+Do you get to know your weight?
Blind weigh-​ins, but can talk to your dietitian about it.
+How fast is the weight gain process?
If needed, usually 1 – 3 pounds/​week.
+What was the average length of stay?
1 – 2 months.
+What was the average age range?
Adults: 18 — 63, while I was there.