Eating Disorders Resource Center

EDRC is a 5 star eating disorder support system, educational program and all around helpful place where people who are suffering from eating disorders and their families can find important information and support. The service they provide for the general public as well as other professionals in the field is a life saver.
Janice and her volunteers are a critical part of the eating disorder community which is reflected in the true recovery of
their clients.

I am so thankful for EDRC . My 9 years old suddenly refused solid food this summer. We saw the doctors but no clue . EDRC helped me at the very beginning to help my family go through the dark moment . They have lots of recourse and is expert in ED. The information letter I received from them actually pointed the correct direction for my kid. With their help, my kid met the doctor and received treatment in less than 2 month . Now she is recovering about 60%-70% and we are happy for that .

I struggled with anorexia and bulimia for many years as a young lady. Thanks in huge part to the Edrc, I’m Happy to report I am Ed recovery 8 years this last May. Once I decided to seek help, the Edrc was one of the first supports I found. The weekly meetings were such a safe and healing place for my recovery to begin. I have a daughter now and She will be two in December. I continue to commit to Ed recovery and body positivity now for her too! I want to help create a new generation of girls who feel more at home in their bodies from the beginning! I will forever be thankful to the Edrc for their part in why I’m where I am today. I don’t know where I’d be right now if it wasn’t for the support I found. The work they continue to do is so vital and important!

I discovered the EDRC Support Group for friends and family when I first learned of a beloved granddaughter's diagnosis with anorexia. I was lost in a sea of non-information, and her parents, who live several states away from me, were so immersed and submerged by the reality of their very ill daughter, they were unable to share much with me and they were learning as well. Your weekly ZOOM support group became informational support for me as well as emotional support as I dealt with my feelings of isolation and found needed intimacy in the sharing that unfolded. I looked forward to the weekly meetings, and felt very close to and trusted by others in the group. I learned how to be a more useful and supportive grandmother to my granddaughter, rather than a worrying and questioning nuisance to her family. Each Saturday morning was a blessing, as I felt part of everyone's ED troubles, and felt comfortable sharing my own. I've never experienced a ZOOM activity that felt so honest and real. I sincerely thank EDRC and the others who shared their stories with me on the calls.

My family and I have been struggling for many months to find adequate support and guidance for a very difficult course of bulimia that my younger sister is experiencing. The incredible team that we worked with on a weekly basis was knowledgeable, compassionate, and extremely helpful in our efforts to help my sister. I cannot say enough good about this team of people, most specifically Janice who has been a force and a light for us. It is a true gift to be told “we can help you” when at every corner professionals and institutions have said “that is too difficult for us to treat.” The journey to recovery is a long one, but I feel we are finally on the right path.

I feel that the Eating Disorder Resource Center is an invaluable resource to your or your loved one's recovery. The services they have provided, the knowledgeable staff, and the support throughout our journey has been immeasurable. It has been six months since our family started ours and EDRC is still involved. Janice has provided me with confidence and support with decisions regarding my daughter's treatment and happy to say we are progressing. This is a marathon not a sprint and having EDRC behind me gives me piece of mind.

E. Barrera

I came across EDRC during my greatest time of need. After discovering a diagnosis of AN for my child I felt alone, isolated, scared and confused. My mind was going in all different directions. I thought all I needed to do was to get help for my child. Little did I know I would need help/support to deal with this eating disorder as well. When I started attending the free Family/Caregiver Support Group for Loved Ones with Eating Disorders I felt like I was thrown a life raft. I found solace in the weekly meetings and, the friends I made through it. Education and information can only go so far - it was the personal support, connection, advice, and mutual understanding that was transforming. It gave me a forum of other caregivers that could understand and were coping with the same types of situations. We could identify with what we were each experiencing (or had experienced) and provide genuine advice, resources, comfort and support. Even more so, this group educated me on countless things (I would not have learned from a book) and helped me become more confident in dealing with the eating disorder. Speaking with other parents who had been through it, they gave me hope when I felt my most defeated, and for this I will forever be grateful. Armed with this empowerment, support and hope it made me a better parent and caregiver to my child in our fight against Anorexia Nervosa. It made me realize that there is no one size fits all in terms of treatment and made me aware of things that can only be learned from those sharing from a lived experience perspective. Furthermore, it made me realize that as much as I wanted it to be, the journey toward recovery was not a linear one and that there would be peaks and valleys along the way. I could manage them though with the support of this group. In addition, EDRC provided guest speakers in their Ask the Experts series that were experts in the eating disorder field that could help educate the group and answer questions. This has been invaluable. EDRC has been a tremendous resource in countless ways. Always, willing to help in any way possible, provide resources and lend an empathetic, kind ear – the people that work and volunteer for this organization go above and beyond. Never give up hope for your loved one because recovery is possible, it won’t be an easy journey, but this organization is here to help you in any way they can on that journey toward recovery.

I am so thankful for the support and guidance I got from the EDRC.

Having recently realized that my eating disorder was getting so bad that it was endangering my health, i became frightened and felt alone with no one to talk to who understood.

I began seeking help from multiple sources but ended up lost in a maze, being bounced around between insurance departments, government agencies and affiliates, various treatment centers, and clinicians. I was exhausted and discouraged.

Then I found the EDRC online. I called and Janice answered. Right away i could tell she REALLY cared, and she ended up giving me some amazing resources and explaining some pretty complex things to me so i understood how to navigate the system and better advocate for myself.

Armed with new support and knowledge, I got my second wind and redoubled my efforts to find help! I gained tremendous strength from knowing i was no longer alone in my situation.

Thanks to extensive personal correspondence with the EDRC , It looks like I will finally be able to get insurance to cover most (if not all ) of the cost of a local Residential or Intensive Outpatient ED Program! No small feat, as i'm sure some reading this already know firsthand.

It scares me to think of where i might be had i not found the EDRC when I did.


I will be forever grateful to the kind and capable people who make up the EDRC!

Karyn C.

Thank goodness for EDRC! We found out our daughter was bulimic about a month ago. After the shock, sadness and despair, I started calling around and googling eating disorder help. I called one facility that was booked for six months out. The receptionist recommended calling EDRC which was the "center of all things" for eating disorders. She said they had many resources and could point us in the right direction to get started. I immediately called them and Janice answered the phone. She was kind and helpful, and went above and beyond to offer suggestions of where to start. She helped us find family support, individual support for our daughter, and even offered to have us call back to chat if feeling frustrated or needed someone to talk to. She opened up to us on why she works at EDRC and you could feel how motivated she was to really help people and girls with eating disorders. After hanging up with Janice, she sent follow up emails with additional resources. Our family is so grateful that we were able to get help at EDRC. Thank you Janice and everyone at EDRC!

I am a mother of a 13 year old who became very, very ill with an eating disorder earlier this year. I felt so isolated, hopeless, alone, lost, scared…. A friend connected me with Janise Bremis and her wonderful organization that truly saved my life! Nancy, the supper group leader, reached out and connected me with their weekly support group, where I could cry, talk about my fear, ask questions, get advice, and get many shoulders to lean on from real people who knew my pain, knew my fear, and had walked the path I was facing! Also, I was connected with a veteran parent, who gave me individual time, as much as I needed, to talk, cry, and get help, understanding, love, and support!
And Janis….. She always picked up the phone when I called for advice, for help, with a million questions! She always seem to manage to find time for me no matter how much time I needed, and how many calls I made to her! Since I live in Texas now, and not in California anymore, I have never met Janis in person, yet I feel that Janis, Nancy, and my support group parents are family! They truly saved my life and are continuing to do so, through the most important battle of my life, saving the life of my precious child! Thank you Janis, thank you Nancy, thank you EDRC!!! Joanna Temkova

EDRC has done a presentation for my center and the information shared to our therapists gave us a greater understanding of how to best serve our community and our clients who are going through eating disorders. EDRC will always be a great resource for us.

A huge thank you to the EDRC!! The EDRC is a wonderful organization--they have been so supportive of our research here at Stanford/Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, and have gone out of their way countless times to help us spread the word about our studies and promote our research. We are very grateful to be able to partner with them, and for all of their support and advocacy of our work. They have been so kind to take such time and care to help us. We are so thankful to be able to work with the EDRC!

I stumbled upon this non-profit during a web search in a frantic attempt to find help with my child's recent diagnosis. The founder, Janice, responded immediately. After a quick exchange of information Janice set out in many directions with her extensive network of experts. Over the course of a few hours to a couple of days, email suggestions rolled in. Due to Janice's help we were able to secure a meeting with experts that has led us down a promising path.

I had been a participant during one of Janice's Q&As and I was very inspired by the passion and commitment towards reducing the stigma of eating disorders. I definitely feel that the EDRC is a great step forwards for many troubled youth of the generation and will prove to be a fantastic resource for people to fall back to.

There are few non-profits that truly save and change lives. EDRC has done that for our family!

With the devastating diagnosis of anorexia nervosa and our child's life on the brink, we were scared, overwhelmed and utterly ignorant of the disorder and our treatment options and what laid ahead.

Janice Bremis and her tireless staff (mostly comprised of dedicated, passionate volunteers) connected us to the appropriate resources to start our daughter's recovery. They were the encouraging and calming voices that keep our heads together in the early days of treatment.

No longer in critical health, my daughter is still reaping the benefits of EDRC through volunteering. Janice makes great efforts in staying connected with her eating disorder families and incorporating her eating disorder clients into her volunteer program if they desire. Janice has an innate understanding of the value of volunteering for her clients as a way to further their healing from this illness.

We cannot say enough about the importance of EDRC; it has made an impact on our daughter's life and recovery, and we are forever grateful.

This is an incredibly helpful service that has changed my life for the better. I have previously been through so many treatment options that didn't work for more than a month, but the groups that EDRC provides and the services that they are willing to help with, along with the kindeness of the people there, have truly been life changing for me.

The EDRC has been an overwhelming source of support and camaraderie as I've learned to face my eating disorder. The staff is incredibly helpful and welcoming, and they provide a safe environment where I can explore my thoughts and behaviors without fear of judgment. Their support has helped me develop self-compassion and has furthered my recovery journey.

The EDRC provides many wonderful local support groups in the Bay Area. Not only do they make the groups possible, but they help individuals seek support at all different levels of care. They have stood by my side and supported me as I have tried to get MediCal (California’s Medicaid) to cover higher levels of care. Without their support I would not have gotten this far along in the process of fighting to get the treatment I need.

I've struggled with having an eating disorder for most of my life. It wasn't until recently that I began on the journey of recovery. It was difficult to seek help not being under anyone's health insurance once I was 18. Even when I qualified for state insurance navigating the system was discouraging, like I had to have something really wrong with me in order to justify an ounce of help.

At the EDRC I never had to worry about whether or not this support in my recovery would be available to me or not because it's free! It is truly a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, which allows me to focus on my disorder. I have always felt safe and respected at the EDRC meetings and gain so much validity and connection from sharing my struggles and listening to others. Isolation is the number one contributor to the progression of my disorder, which is why I value this group so greatly.

Attending the meetings frequently gives me a sense of support that I can feel throughout the week in between sessions. And it was so empowering for me to have a few good weeks in a row like I could see and feel my progress more than I ever had trying to heal on my own.

The staff of the program are kind and empathetic, providing a safe place to speak openly about what I deal with. In addition, they shared a variety of resources to support recovery, things like mindfulness exercises, worksheets, and reading materials.

To sum it up I experienced a surge in my recovery because of the EDRC's support services.

I went to EDRC of Los Gatos a few months ago in desperate need of help with my eating disorder. As a 62-year-old woman, I was finding it extremely difficult to find places that would treat women in my age group.

The staff at EDRC found a contact person at the Santa Clara County Mental Health Department who then referred me to Asian American Recovery Services in San Jose.

Two young members of staff there found a way for me to get treatment services at Cielo House in San Jose, which provides treatment for older women and is run by a marvelous treatment team.

After many months of searching, I am now able to get the treatment I need. The people at EDRC of Los Gatos are serious about helping older women to find the exact type of help they need for an eating disorder. I give them my absolutely highest recommendation.

Sonika Ozdoba

I have to say, after 23 years of looking for support, Janice was the first of many from EDRC to reach out to
Me. They didn't just give advice and referrals, but they listened, shared, and just had a genuine understanding and love for helping. I have been through many dr' s and health care advocates during the decades of my illness, yet this was the first time I was genuinely heard and helped. My recovery is just starting, but EDRC can take credit as the push off point, they truly are the starting line to the race of my life! Thank you for giving me hope! #BeHereNow

When my daughter was 17 ½, she was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and admitted to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Comprehensive Eating Disorders Program in Mountain View ,CA for 10 days. My husband and I had heard of anorexia but we had no idea of the severity of this illness. We were overwhelmed with the challenges and felt so lost. One of my husband’s friends at work recommended that we reach out to the Eating Disorders Resource Center (EDRC). I called and spoke to Janice Bremis, the founder of EDRC. I cannot express how helpful and supportive Janice was. She suggested we attend EDRC’s parent support group held at the El Camino hospital every other Saturday. Both my husband and I attended these meetings. It was extremely useful to meet other parents going through similar challenges. Janice also helped me find a great therapist and a nutritionist for my daughter. Janice emphasized how vital a treatment team of experts is for a full recovery. My daughter is making progress in her recovery. I cannot thank EDRC and Janice enough for the invaluable support and help.

My daughter has been struggling with Anorexia for several years. I first reached out to EDRC when we lost our therapist and after having spent days going through the Internet looking for providers in my area. Janice and Natalie from EDRC were the only ones who stepped in and followed through to help until we found someone.

They are extremely knowledgeable. Prior to speaking with them, I had never heard or known anything other than Family Based Outpatient Therapy treatment. There was a whole other world out there which I had no exposure to. Folks dealing with this illness well into their adult life -- Partial Hospitalization, Residential programs, programs my daughter would eventually resort to after our FBT young adolescent runway ran out.

Natalie has been very supportive every step of the way. Reaching out, sharing her knowledge and experience and giving me the confidence and encouragement to stay on this path.

Thanks to Nancy, we were able to identify health criteria that helped overturn the insurance company's earlier denial to extend coverage at the Residential Center (this was done through peer reviews between doctors at the provider and insurance). Nancy has also reached out and connected me with resources to help with writing appeals if required.

We're not out of the woods yet but this little extension is making a huge difference in my daughter's recovery. Thank you.

My daughter was diagnosed with anorexia in July 2015. After initially trying an out-patient program it became very clear quickly that she needed a residential program to help her get on the right track to recovery. We collaborated with her care team which included medical doctors, psychiatrists and therapists in making this decision. When she went to the residential treatment facility our insurance company, Blue Shield of CA, denied her stay as "not medically necessary" despite all the treating physicians and therapists being on the same page about her need for the treatment she was receiving at the RTC.
I turned to EDRC for help in fighting Blue Shield and not letting them get away with their denials of treatment. Janet Bremis at EDRC provided me with some very good information and support during my time of need. We were new to understanding about eating disorders and did not yet understand the fact that mental health parity is not followed by insurance companies in our state and country (although it's the law). EDRC and Janet gave me some names of people to contact for assistance with our case and also some resources for future treatment centers for my daughter. There are so few resources for families who are dealing with a family member who has an eating disorder...EDRC is the only one of its kind in the entire SF Bay Area that I know of. I am so grateful that EDRC was there to call for assistance!

The Eating Disorder Resource Center staff has always been there for me, providing essential information. I am the mother of an adult child diagnosed with an eating disorder and a second mental health concern. Navigating the ups and downs of the various HMOs we have had, as well as the mental health system, proved to be a daunting challenge. EDRC was there with empathy, hope, and suggestions of practical steps I could take to ensure that our health insurance approved and paid for the needed level of treatment. In addition, EDRC has provided suggestions as to how to research therapists, psychiatrists, and residential/partial treatment centers that are a good “fit" for someone with an eating disorder. My inquires are always met with compassion and sound advice. Keep up the great work EDRC !

— a grateful mother

I dropped by the EDRC because I have a daughter with anorexia and I was looking for information and support. I met Janice Bremis and Natalie. Even though, it was late afternoon on a Friday, and they were busy working on a news release, they sat down with me for an hour and and heard my story. I needed to know more about treatment options and they were very knowledgeable about facilities in the Bay Area. Also, Janice reached out to the Healthy Teen Project on my behave. Thanks to Janice's assistance, my daughter will be able to attend the Healthy Teen Project (which is a partial hospitalization program and the next logical and appropriate step for my daughters treatment), instead of going to Kiaser's eating disorder outpatient clinic which was the original plan. The EDIOP would not have given all the support my daughter needs at this time. If you have an eating disorder, or know someone who does, I would encourage you to visit the EDRC. Janice and Natalie are very knowledgeable and are wonderful, caring folks.

EDRC has been an absolute God send to our family. While each person I spoke with at the Center was knowledgeable and supportive, my main contact has been with Janice. Janice is knowledgeable, patient, professional yet compassionate. She has been a wealth of knowledge for us and has helped guide us through a very difficult journey for our family. I truly do not have the words to express my gratitude for all the support we have received from EDRC and specifically Janice.

Janice Bremis has been instrumental in helping me to understand the laws, State Medi-Cal mandates, Counties to cover Higher levels of care for Eating Disorders. She also let me know about a scholarship offered for Adolescent Residential ED Treatment which I applied to & was able to send my granddaughter, listened & offered emotional support to me as a caregiver to my granddaughter suffering from Anorexia. She tirelessly sends me information connecting me with knowledgeable people & other Residential Programs that may help, when my granddaughter was discharged to early due to insurance.
Janis has been my totem pole in this dense forest of eating disorder, without which I would have been lost.

I have a 16 year old niece who has been ill for 3 years in Austraia and is not getting better. I was referred to Janice Bremis, the founder of GuideStar, through a colleague and what a gift this has been. Janice has been just fantastic. She has been super responsive and has a wealth of knowledge as well as an outstanding network of professionals to draw on. Janice has referred me to various professionals in GuideStar's network who have all responsive, caring and knowledgeable. They have provided various helpful suggestions which I have followed through on. Janice has also personally spent time with me on the phone describing her own situation and providing me with invaluable insight. GuideStar is an absolutely first rate non-profit company with international connections, not just US domestic and I would strongly recommend anyone who has an eating disorder themselves, or has a loved one with an eating disorder, utilize the services provided here.

I am a psychotherapist and I called seeking info for a client. EDRC's response to my call was swift and thorough. They handled my clients needs with care and helped us feel more able to navigate the system to get help. It's rare to experience a non-profit with such a quick response time, that feels so compassionate and happy to help.

By the time I was directed to the EDRC to help resolve a family eating disorder issue, Ms. Bremis' reputation had already preceded her. I'd heard about the strong portfolio of resources that they offered, as well as how positive and effective they were.

When I did go there in person I was offered all sorts of great materials, contacts and advice that proved to be vital in the treatment and recovery process. However, what stood out for me was the very insightful and personal connection EDRC makes with the "client". It made not only a big difference but left a lasting impression that I will continue to share with others in need.

My best wishes, deepest gratitude and desire to continue supporting the center!
Laurence K.

I can't say enough about how much the erdc has helped and enriched my life. As a young woman who has struggled with some form of an eating disorder for more than half my life and have never had the courage to seek professional help, this place/organization opend so many doors to healing for me. I took a chance and went to a group meeting one Wednesday night a handful of months ago and I am happy to report that things are beginning to really change for me! I truly look forward to the meetings each month. I am so appretiative for the welcoming, safe, and supportive environment and staff they have. They even have a library of great self help books to borrow from which is great for those that want to continue therapy at home! They are a wealth of information on all facets of eating disorders. I don't know where I would be right now had this valuable resource not been available to me. I am truly grateful for the erdc!! If you are even considering getting help, take a step towards self love and check them out. You and they are worth it!

EDRC sent volunteers to help educate out staff about eating disorders. They were extremely kind, equipped & helpful! I plan on having them back some time soon!

-Spencer Kilgore-
-South Bay Teen Challenge - San Jose CA-

Last year, much to our horror, my husband and I determined that our 13-year-old daughter had succumbed to an eating disorder prior to the start of 8th grade. She had started to see treatment professionals, but in two months she had gotten worse rather than better. In need of other approaches and providers that would be in-plan for our insurance, I began to research other options. Finding the Website for the Eating Disorders Resource Center made all the difference. I combed through the site, using the directory of treatment professionals. Founder Janis Bremis, program director Kira Olson, and support group facilitator Debra Schlesinger shared their expertise with me on the phone in long consultations. When I attended the Friends and Family support group in Mt. View, Debra provided even more valuable information in the form of an eating disorder treatment handbook. Armed with the knowledge and guidance provided by EDRC, I was able to move forward with confidence and get my daughter into the LPCH Eating Disorders outpatient program. While she remains in treatment as she continues to deal with the psychological aspects of her disorder, she has maintained a stable healthy weight for six months. She is in a much better place than she was a year ago, but knowing that eating disorders can be tenacious foes, we aren't yet completely out of the woods. I am grateful to EDRC for the support they provided to my family at a time of crisis and it gives me solace knowing that they continue to be a resource as my daughter works to overcome this debilitating condition.