Monte Nido | Rain Rock
"If I did not want others to violate my life, how could I voluntarily violate it myself?"

Richard Wright
how we are different
Monte Nido's programs for anorexia treatment, bulimia treatment and exercise addiction treatment are unique in many ways.

  1. All of the Monte Nido residential programs are homes located in beautiful serene settings, which promote tranquility and connection to nature. Our locations significantly contribute to providing a healing environment. Each program accepts only a small number of clients, allowing for highly individualized treatment, which I believe is crucial for optimal growth and long-term recovery.

  2. All Monte Nido residential programs are very small, intimate facilities. For example, Monte Nido Malibu only takes 6 clients at a time, all women, and only those suffering from anorexia, bulimia or exercise addiction.

  3. We are not a 12 step based program. Although we believe that the 12 step philosophy can be useful, we believe that eating and exercise disorders are not addictions in the same sense as drugs and alcohol and that one can become fully "recovered" from these disorders. If one of our clients has another addiction or, for appropriate reasons, wishes to go to 12 Step meetings, we arrange this on a case-by-case basis.

  4. Because we are small and have a family-like environment, our unique level system allows each client to gain increasing freedom and responsibility for her own recovery. By the end of her stay each client should be shopping for and preparing her own food, as well as monitoring her own exercise, as she would when she returns home.

  5. A large percentage of our staff members have recovered from their own eating disorder. This offers a unique situation where clients have the opportunity to experience and work with numerous trained professionals who are also role models of personal recovery.

  6. Our fitness and exercise component is varied and comprehensive including activities for both body and mind. We combine cardio workouts with weight training and yoga for a well-rounded approach. We also want our clients to be involved in activities that are geared more for fun than just fitness. With this in mind we provide hiking, basketball, beach walks, dancing and various group activities.

  7. We believe that our clients need to be "turned on" to life again and that part of healing is experiencing joy in living. Because we are small, it is easy for us to go to a variety of special events such as the theater, dance and music concerts, theme parks, pottery and drum making workshops, a local horse ranch, and a variety of unique restaurants.

  8. The founder and clinical director, Carolyn Costin, recovered herself, maintains a personal hands on approach. She has individual sessions with every client as well as running primary and special topics groups. Carolyn also is involved in taking the clients to special activities and events. Her personal touch is felt everywhere.