OUR MISSION
Safe Harbor understands the greater needs of today. We are dedicated to provide our patients with individualized care in a nurturing and structured environment. Our supportive staff strives for creative excellence in providing the best care available in the profession. We are committed to the long term health and well-being of our patients.
From the Director...
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Watch Darlene Joy Manick's interview with Dr. Carol Francis.
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Darlene Joy (Manick), M.A., LMFT
Executive Clinical Director On the reason why for Safe Harbor Programs: It’s simple. I’ve been there. I almost died. I lived daily doses of the insanity of anorexia, bulimia and compulsive eating. I was desperately alone. I felt utterly defeated, shame beyond belief, uncared for, a burden to all, and yet still there was a small shimmer of light inside that barely sparked life. I just didn’t know how I could go on, nor did I believe anyone would be able, or even more frightening, willing to teach me how. I thought everyone else simply knew how to do life. I just wasn’t blessed with that gift. In fact, I was weary about having been born with any gifts at all. The struggle to get to where I am today has led me down many paths. Most of which lead me into more despair. I began to realize that my disease was a disease of secrecy. I was literally throwing up 90 times a day without anybody knowing it. I didn’t know what would kill me first: the disease or the pain of holding on to such a big secret and having no one to talk to. In the end, I created my own program even though I didn’t realize it at the time. The first and most important step was to find that one person I could trust with my secret. Something inside of me knew that if I could actually say to someone (who would not abandon me once they knew my secret), “This is what I am doing to myself and I need help,” there might be hope. I found that person. I told her how I was purging up 2 pounds of MM’s at a time. I waited for her to react with disgust or horror. She didn’t. She looked at me and gave me a hug and told me how sorry she was that I had to go through this alone for so long, and that there had been no one and nowhere safe to go to. She WAS that person. Today I know every experience, both good and bad, has helped me become who I am as a human being and as a therapist specializing in Eating Disorders. It is not always simple and I know there are times when giving up seems easier. As much as we want to change, there is a strong pull to maintain homeostasis, as change is scary and uncomfortable. I understand the struggle to fight for your life. I fought for what seemed like forever. During my worst years, the treatment I received often seemed impersonal and the staff incompetent. I wanted to feel cared-for and be seen and heard. Unfortunately, I was not. I promised myself to someday create that special place I never found when I was suffering. Safe Harbor is the result of my own labor of love. I hope it will be a safe place for you. |