The Renfrew Center of Florida

These centers may be good for young adults and adults but they are TERRIBLE with young teenagers. They expect 14 year olds to reason and behave like 20 year olds when all the science says that is impossible when the frontal lobe is not fully developed. This center needs to change their expectations and program for 14 – 16 year olds. As it stands now they are causing great harm to children and families with their practices and protocols.

Renfrew saved my life. I was there in 2009. It wasn’t fun (no treatment facility is) but I felt supported and respected by my entire team there. I’m still in touch with my primary therapist as she has retired and that connection has been really helpful. I’m still really close with many of the women I was there with. It’s a really powerful place if you are ready to get treatment.

I arrived at Renfrew in October 2005, depressed, broken and seeking help. I had ben told if I did not confront my Anorexia I would be «dead by Christmas» by my primary care doctor and together we found Renfrew. On the phone it was all love, comfort and support — the things I needed to hear. But ask EVERYTHING because besides the love and comfort they will tell you nothing about what you are signing on for. Moments upon arrival things changed quickly. Renfrew was the worst thing I ever experienced and Dr. Gayle Brooks, one of the most heartless, untrusting and ruthless woman in the world. This «clinical director of one of the world’s most respected facilities» directs her staff to spend their time trying to catch patients break rules so she can chastise them in front of the community. For years I wondered why she was in the profession she was in and I think its because she enjoys the power. She and my nutritionist Jodi, lied to me and then told me that I was a terrible person who was incapable of help and so on and so on. If you consider this program please don’t believe me alone but watch «Thin» through HBO (youtube has it in pieces). This documentary paints a very conservative picture of the nature of their evil. Shortly after a PLANNED leave for a once in a lifetime family Christmas and then a PLANNED return I was verbally abused by these women, told I was unfixable and I could only return if I surrendered to them completely. They even lied about sending back my things which I had left there including a quilt made by my grandmother and the only thing I had from her. Anyway, I went to another facility, little known Linden Oaks Hospital in Naperville, IL and learned that healing happens through love and trust. It was the opposite of what happened at Renfrew and the woman who was «incapable of help» responded to treatment immediatly and built a now 7 year relationship with the therapists I met there. The point is, don’t go somewhere because it is renowned, watch this documentary, please. Even after my ED improved, I believed all the things the professionals at Renfrew told me (I mean they were the professionals right) until I saw this documentary and realized that they do this to so many sick girls and woman. I was even told not to talk about my own rape (in a group session where that is the primary goal) because it was particularly traumatic and I may upset someone. In that moment, they raped me all over again. I finally have made peace with what happened there. I still pray for their patients every single night but I am successful, stable and happy. But again, don’t take it from me, I think HBO (camera’s that were allowed into the facility by Gayle Brooks) is a pretty credible organization, so before you choose Renfrew Florida, watch it and believe it. **God bless Valtee, you & Gloria were the only two that showed me love, I know you are safe in the arms of the Lord and an angel to so many**
-«Birdie»

Awesome place for support of eating disorders. Alumni support. Group support. If you need support please contact them or me.