Road to Recovery Uncovers an Agent of Social Change

Following the birth of her first daughter, Dr. Nicole’ Felton realized she had unknowingly been battling an eating disorder for quite some time. Dr. Felton sought help and has been in recovery for more than two decades. Her ongoing interest in disordered eating and her desire to help others on their road to recovery led her to establish Felton Therapy Center in Fredericksburg, Va., in June 2010.

The intensive outpatient eating disorder treatment facility serves as a bridge prior to and/or after inpatient treatment. In addition to a 16-week intensive outpatient program, the center supports the recovery process by having patients continue weekly visits with a therapist and nutritionist for one year.

“My prior professional work experiences confirmed for me that the typical 60-day inpatient programs didn’t work for everyone,” said Dr. Felton. “These were often expensive programs that saw repeat patients because there wasn’t a long-term treatment option. Felton Therapy Center offers a different concept that treats the whole person and supports them throughout this difficult—and often long—journey.”

Dr. Felton, who earned her PhD in Psychology with a specialization in Counseling Psychology from Walden University in 2011, says her Walden experience made a significant impact on her. Her degree program taught her new and innovative ways to be a change agent in society. Through Walden, Dr. Felton has learned that although change is inevitable in society, complacency is not.