The Cambridge Eating Disorder Center is a leading treatment facility specializing in the comprehensive care of individuals struggling with eating disorders. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the center provides a compassionate and multidisciplinary approach to treatment, offering a range of evidence-based programs tailored to meet each client's unique needs. At the Cambridge Eating Disorder Center, clients have access to a variety of services, including medical and nutritional monitoring, ind...
The Cambridge Eating Disorder Center is a leading treatment facility specializing in the comprehensive care of individuals struggling with eating disorders. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the center provides a compassionate and multidisciplinary approach to treatment, offering a range of evidence-based programs tailored to meet each client's unique needs. At the Cambridge Eating Disorder Center, clients have access to a variety of services, including medical and nutritional monitoring, individual and group therapy, meal support, and specialized treatment tracks for various eating disorders. The center's experienced team of professionals, including physicians, therapists, dietitians, and nurses, work collaboratively to address the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of recovery. Situated in a supportive and nurturing environment, the Cambridge Eating Disorder Center is committed to helping individuals regain a healthy relationship with food, body, and self.
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The Cambridge Eating Disorder Center is a leading treatment facility specializing in the comprehensive care of individuals struggling with eating disorders. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the center provides a compassionate and multidisciplinary approach to treatment, offering a range of evidence-based programs tailored to meet each client's unique needs. At the Cambridge Eating Disorder Center, clients have access to a variety of services, including medical and nutritional monitoring, individual and group therapy, meal support, and specialized treatment tracks for various eating disorders. The center's experienced team of professionals, including physicians, therapists, dietitians, and nurses, work collaboratively to address the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of recovery. Situated in a supportive and nurturing environment, the Cambridge Eating Disorder Center is committed to helping individuals regain a healthy relationship with food, body, and self.
The staff, including the RCs and the program director, are generally caring, supportive, and go above and beyond for patients.
The food is of high quality with multiple options to meet dietary needs, and the facilities are well-maintained and clean.
The program offers valuable group sessions focusing on DBT and CBT, and unique activities like weekly cooking and baking groups, which help build a foundation for recovery.
Drawbacks
2.8
40 Reviews
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Benefits
The staff, including the RCs and the program director, are generally caring, supportive, and go above and beyond for patients.
The food is of high quality with multiple options to meet dietary needs, and the facilities are well-maintained and clean.
The program offers valuable group sessions focusing on DBT and CBT, and unique activities like weekly cooking and baking groups, which help build a foundation for recovery.
Drawbacks
Recent Reviews
April 23rd, 2025
I was at CEDC residential from November 2023-February 2024, and while I have a lot of complicated feelings about the program, I can say that I would recommend it in a lot of ways, especially for those who are spending their first time in treatment. The milieu is usually pretty small (max 12, but in my opinion when it gets over around 7 it becomes really chaotic and the facility doesn't really have the resources to cover it) so it really is community-based and depends on who is there (this is ...
April 23rd, 2025
I was at CEDC residential from November 2023-February 2024, and while I have a lot of complicated feelings about the program, I can say that I would recommend it in a lot of ways, especially for those who are spending their first time in treatment. The milieu is usually pretty small (max 12, but in my opinion when it gets over around 7 it becomes really chaotic and the facility doesn't really have the resources to cover it) so it really is community-based and depends on who is there (this is true for many other treatment centers).
Some good things about CEDC are: the food is usually very good (all cooked by Joan!), many of the RCs are incredible, you get your phone all day, most of the case managers are extremely well equipped and the program director is genuinely phenomenal and cares so much about the patients and the unit (I cannot say enough positive things about her to adequately express how beneficial she was to my stay). I had a largely positive experience there and much can be attributed to the staff and program director, and the milieu I was in for most of my stay. I made many positive relationships in my time there which helped me further my recovery journey.
Some uniquely challenging things about CEDC are: extremely limited weekend support, not a lot of support or understanding with interpersonal conflict, basically everything goes into contraband (but you can get approved into your team), and many of the options for psychiatrists are less than ideal. The passes are very limited and it is hard to get some meaningful time outside, especially for those on the adolescent floor.
The main hardship I faced at CEDC was that some elements of the program made it extremely easy to continue using behaviors, especially if you have a restrictive eating disorder. For many patients, the expectation of completion is individualized to an almost detrimental point, at least in what I've seen, where it can allow patients to listen to their eating disorders a lot in meal times, especially as you are allowed to leave the kitchen if you feel like you cannot make any more progress. I think that while accountability is always a part of treatment or recovery, some elements of the program (like leaving the kitchen or being able to return to your room directly after the meal) require a lot more self accountability than many people suffering with EDs can handle, especially in the beginning. It is easy to fall into a competition mindset and hard to pull yourself into a recovery-oriented headspace depending on the conditions of the milieu you arrive in.
My experience at CEDC was my first time in any treatment, and I would definitely not say that I regret it being my first treatment center. Although the groups get repetitive if you've been there for over a month, they are really helpful in building up a foundation of DBT and CBT especially if you have no background in it.
*I would also like to note that if you are scrolling through these Google Reviews, please remember that most people write these reviews immediately upon leaving and many are biased. I have been a patient alongside many people who have left reviews, and can say from personal experience and observation that many are biased and inaccurate. Most, if not all, of the staff at CEDC genuinely cares for everyone, regardless of identity and many perspectives shared in reviews can be harmful to those looking at the program. It is hard to distinguish whether people dislike a specific treatment center or if their eating disorders are fighting back at the concept of recovery such that they blame the center. There are good parts and bad parts to everyone's treatment experience in any place, so keep that in mind as you consider which is the best fit for you or your loved ones!
December 23rd, 2024
I have a lot to say about CEDC, most of which is positive, some of which is less so simply because of its nature and the fact that it is a treatment center. I spent 3 months on the adolescent floor at CEDC and was lucky enough to have a very supportive care team and community. I remember being incredibly nervous to start at CEDC, and reading these reviews honestly just made that anxiety worse- so for whoever is reading this, whether it’s for yourself or someone you love, please take a deep br...
December 23rd, 2024
I have a lot to say about CEDC, most of which is positive, some of which is less so simply because of its nature and the fact that it is a treatment center. I spent 3 months on the adolescent floor at CEDC and was lucky enough to have a very supportive care team and community. I remember being incredibly nervous to start at CEDC, and reading these reviews honestly just made that anxiety worse- so for whoever is reading this, whether it’s for yourself or someone you love, please take a deep breath because I promise that it’s going to be okay.
On a positive note, the meals work really well and there are lots of options to meet dietary needs, and the diet techs are some of the loveliest people that you will ever meet. The facilities are clean and the bathroom system works very well and offers as much privacy as can be hoped for. The Resident Counselors are extremely kind and go above and beyond in the ways that they care for and interact with patients. There is also an hour of guaranteed tech time for the adolescent floor (which might not seem like a lot, but is much more than other programs allow) The tutor is also such a genuinely kind soul and made the stress of doing schoolwork from afar so much lesser <3 There is also a weekly cooking and baking group and individualized exposure therapies which can be really helpful.
On the more intricate side of things, The way that the program is run allows for patients to go back to their rooms during free times which resulted in some pretty invasive behaviors being used in many of the rooms post meals. There is also not a lot of access to the outside and so it’s pretty common to go weeks without getting to go outside. The RCs are a lot younger than I anticipated (which says nothing about their abilities) but they did not always have knowledge specific to the treatment of eating disorders. Family therapy is not a large part of the treatment plan either, though there are family update sessions that happen weekly.
About the program itself- There are 3-4 groups per day and 3 meals and 3 snacks daily. On the weekends therapeutic groups don’t happen, but there are a few things to keep busy and the RCs try really hard to make it fun. Patients get 2 passes per week which are each 2 hours that can be used to see family, and you can receive letters and packages. Also note that they check any diaries that you bring and that lots of clothes that don't cover your arms or your legs will be confiscated.
All in all the program is a really receptive and supportive one and it saved my life in so many ways. I can’t say that treatment was easy, but it never is, and I am beyond grateful for all the people on my team and in my community who made my experience what it was.
December 23rd, 2024
I was only here a week and experienced nothing but harassment and bullying since I arrived. I came here 5 years ago and had only left due to my own lack of compliance. I remembered it as a positive and loving environment but now it is everything but that. The staff is literally all in their 20’s and are glorified babysitters. They enable behaviors and disorders to the point of triggering other patients. They have been disrespectful and rude to me since I arrived only a week ago. A patient bec...
December 23rd, 2024
I was only here a week and experienced nothing but harassment and bullying since I arrived. I came here 5 years ago and had only left due to my own lack of compliance. I remembered it as a positive and loving environment but now it is everything but that. The staff is literally all in their 20’s and are glorified babysitters. They enable behaviors and disorders to the point of triggering other patients. They have been disrespectful and rude to me since I arrived only a week ago. A patient became obsessed with bullying me past the community and somehow found my personal social media accounts, and was not apparently breaking HIPPA by doing so. I verbalized constantly that I was feeling harassed by this patient and they continued to do nothing about it and blamed it on me. It’s much easier to call the POC “aggressive” than admit your whole staff and patients are racist. If you’re a POC this environment is not safe for you, I haven’t been eating because of the constant stress. They have made me thinner than when I arrived. They should be shut down immediately, and should be ashamed of themselves. They also denied my roommate who is in dire need of a higher level of care, any help. They’re evil. No one can get better in a toxic environment.
August 23rd, 2024
I went to the CEDC hoping for healing and help. My 2nd day at the CEDC I was sent to the ER for a migraine. I was told an RC would accompany me. She ended up having to leave and I was treated for my migraine. Afterwards I called the center to have an RC accompany me back to the center. The ER doctor, nurse and myself tried contacting the center for that ride. No one had picked up. I ended up hitchhiking to get back to the center. I was then made to feel as though the incident was my fault.
August 23rd, 2024
I went to the CEDC hoping for healing and help. My 2nd day at the CEDC I was sent to the ER for a migraine. I was told an RC would accompany me. She ended up having to leave and I was treated for my migraine. Afterwards I called the center to have an RC accompany me back to the center. The ER doctor, nurse and myself tried contacting the center for that ride. No one had picked up. I ended up hitchhiking to get back to the center. I was then made to feel as though the incident was my fault.
April 23rd, 2023
I was a patient in early 2022 so this review applies to this time period. The treatment was okay. Communicating with staff can be very frustrating. At the moment, I’d suggest getting residential treatment somewhere else. A ton of staff are leaving right now and they are discharging patients way too fast. Discharging patients so fast is what’s making the place a revolving door. If you want a lower risk of relapse, find somewhere else for now. Overall, the group therapy and food was pretty good...
April 23rd, 2023
I was a patient in early 2022 so this review applies to this time period. The treatment was okay. Communicating with staff can be very frustrating. At the moment, I’d suggest getting residential treatment somewhere else. A ton of staff are leaving right now and they are discharging patients way too fast. Discharging patients so fast is what’s making the place a revolving door. If you want a lower risk of relapse, find somewhere else for now. Overall, the group therapy and food was pretty good. They have vegetarian options, but not vegan ones. If you’re a minor, you only get your phone 30-60 minutes a day so be prepared. I mostly read lots of books, made bracelets, knit, talked to people, collaged, etc. and you don’t even miss your phone that much. I cant speak for the patients now but every single girl I met there was absolutely lovely and there’s usually minimal drama. Girls here usually are kind with good intentions and want out. Staff made meals easier with games and music which is definitely a plus. I don’t feel as if I was prepared enough for the real world outside of the bubble that is CEDC treatment. Overall, a pretty good place to go if you need residential treatment, but at the moment the place is kind of a mess.
April 23rd, 2023
I had a great time here many years ago. I actually went back twice and always wish I could revisit. Although I have recovered since then, I was here maybe in 2013-2014. We were able to assist in the kitchen. We had a very strict routine but it felt nice because once you were done, they left ya alone for the day to read or write or draw etc and sometimes we were able to go on outings! The staff was great too. 😚 Honestly, people with eating disorders learn to be very sneaky so the strictness of...
April 23rd, 2023
I had a great time here many years ago. I actually went back twice and always wish I could revisit. Although I have recovered since then, I was here maybe in 2013-2014. We were able to assist in the kitchen. We had a very strict routine but it felt nice because once you were done, they left ya alone for the day to read or write or draw etc and sometimes we were able to go on outings! The staff was great too. 😚 Honestly, people with eating disorders learn to be very sneaky so the strictness of this place was definitely necessary even if I didn’t think so at the time.
April 23rd, 2021
I was there back in 2016. I have had my fair share of treatments and this was one of the worst. I was never told why they were doing certain things, nor was I explained that they were there to help me and wanted to see me get better. I felt like I was there to hep pay the bills with my insurance money and I would have received treatment elsewhere. My doctor didn't trust me or my actions, the therapist didn't seem to care nor help with some things I was battling mentally. Overall, I would neve...
April 23rd, 2021
I was there back in 2016. I have had my fair share of treatments and this was one of the worst. I was never told why they were doing certain things, nor was I explained that they were there to help me and wanted to see me get better. I felt like I was there to hep pay the bills with my insurance money and I would have received treatment elsewhere. My doctor didn't trust me or my actions, the therapist didn't seem to care nor help with some things I was battling mentally. Overall, I would never suggest someone to receive treatment here. I left back in 2016 and have yet to get my discharge papers. I have called, email, written letters and even shown up asking for them. They used the excuse that they were relocating paperwork and would contact me once things were more organized. I had asked for them a week after I left. Seems a bit fishy. Not once did I feel safe, comfortable or even slightly normal at this place. Please, Please find anoher place to get the help you need.
April 23rd, 2023
Absolute garbage. If I could, I would give CEDC zero stars. They lack communication skills that people suffering with ED's need very much. At the end of March 2022, I was given my evaluation and after that was told it would be a two to three weeks wait before I would be able to go down. I waited every day getting anxious about when the one week warning call would come...it never did. I eventually called back and was then told it would be another two to three weeks wait. I waited and waited ev...
April 23rd, 2023
Absolute garbage. If I could, I would give CEDC zero stars. They lack communication skills that people suffering with ED's need very much. At the end of March 2022, I was given my evaluation and after that was told it would be a two to three weeks wait before I would be able to go down. I waited every day getting anxious about when the one week warning call would come...it never did. I eventually called back and was then told it would be another two to three weeks wait. I waited and waited every new day, I was growing more and more anxious to go down. I needed to get better, I just couldn't do it on my own and I need residential help. After three weeks they never called. So I eventually called them again. I spoke with the director, who might I say is a very inconsiderate human being, who has no empathy towards the patients she is supposed to help, and is very poor at what she does. She then proceeded to tell me it was going to be a longer wait. I had already waited for over a month. At this point I was sick of everything CEDC had put me through, with all their terrible misleading information and letting me get my hopes up every new day. I eventually was told that I could be on more than one waiting list. So I found two new programs that I proceeded to join the waitlist for. Overall, I recommend looking at any other place besides CEDC, and joining more than one wait list. Keep your options open. Don't let CEDC give you misleading information that can get your hopes up and make you mentally exhausted.
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