Welcome to the Penn State Hershey Eating Disorders Program

The professionals at the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital offer a full range of treatment options for children, adolescents and adults with eating disorders. Conditions treated include Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Other Non-Specific Eating Disorders. Who should be referred to these programs? Warning signs and symptoms include: preoccupation with food and weight, distortion of body image, restriction of food intake, vomiting after eating and loss of menstrual periods. While criteria for Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa are well established, it is increasingly evident that many patients especially adolescents may present with symptoms of an eating disorders, that do not fulfill the complete criteria.  More...

Research currently being conducted at the Penn State Hershey Eating Disorders Program:

  • Eating Disorders, Self-Esteem, and Sports Involvement in Female Adolescents: A Comparison Between the General Pediatric Population and the Eating Disorders / Adolescent Medicine Clinic
  • The Effects of Written Emotional Disclosure on Eating Disorder Pathology in a Clinical Eating Disordered Population
  • Frequency of diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders in patients who are of the Anabaptist faith (such as Amish or Mennonite, for example)
  • The Problem-Solving Approach of Adolescent Girls Diagnosed with an Eating Disorder: Toward a Greater Understanding of Control
  • The Utility of Human Figure Drawing in the Characterization of Cognitive and Emotional Features of Eating Disorders

>> Make an appointment at one of our Eating Disorder clinic locations...

In addition to our clinic offices in Hershey, PA you can visit with us at the following facilities:

Lancaster, PA

We have a satellite office located at 2170 Noll Drive, Lancaster, PA 17604. Medical office hours are the 2nd and 3rd Tuesday of the month and every Wednesday.

If the Lancaster office would be more convenient for you and you would like more information, please let us know.  Our regular contact number will remain the same at 717-531-7235.

Reading, PA

We have a satellite office located at St. Joseph Hospital, 2494 Bernville Road, Suite 106, Reading, PA 19605.  Medical office hours are the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month and every Wednesday.  Outpatient therapy services are available on Thursdays.

If the Reading office would be more convenient for you and you would like more information, please let us know.  Our regular contact number will remain the same at 717-531-7235.

State College

 

We would like to highlight two of our programs:

First is the child and young adolescent partial hospitalization/day treatment program for eating disorders.  Patients ages 8 through 15 are treated in a supportive, family-based environment with a multi-disciplinary team.  Our staff is experienced in the care of these challenging children and teens.  A school component is included during the school year and families have the opportunity to stay at Ronald McDonald House which is nearby.  We are currently accepting referrals for this innovative program.  Please call 717-531-7230 for referrals and more information.

Second is our intensive outpatient program and partial hospitalization program for older adolescents and adults at our treatment facility in Hershey.  These multi-disciplinary programs offer treatment for patients with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and other eating disorders in a supportive and nurturing environment. 

The Adolescent Medicine/Eating Disorders Program has a limited number of summer training opportunities for graduate students in psychology, counseling, social work, or related fields.

Please note there is no formal application form to complete. Students who are interested in applying are asked to provide:

  • a curriculum vitae or resume
  • a cover letter describing your interest in working with the Eating Disorders Program
  • a letter of support from your clinical training director

These materials will be shared with and reviewed by faculty with training opportunities. Candidates who are being seriously considered will be asked to have a personal interview to discuss their interests and training opportunities.

Please sent the above materials to:

Barbara A. Gershenson, Ph.D.

Program Director, Eating Disorders Outpatient Clinic

Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

905 West Governor Road, Suite 250

Hershey, PA 17033

or fax to 717-531-0067 ATTN: Dr. Gershenson

Dr. Gershenson may be reached at 717-531-4059 or bgershenson@psu.edu for further information or if you have any questions.