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Kartini Clinic practices only family-centered treatment. Recent clinical trials have shown this to be more effective than other forms of treatment for children and young adults. We are not a psychiatric hospital program. We use only a pediatric medical ward for hospital admission. We don't believe children with a medical condition such as anorexia nervosa should be treated alongside substance abuse or dangerous behavioral.

Kartini Clinic was founded in 1998 by Dr. Julie O'Toole MD MPH, at the time a general practice pediatrician in Portland.
Services
At Kartini Clinic we do aspire to be different. It begins with your very first phone call to us. We work very hard to answer each and every call with a real live, caring human being. You won't get an answering machine or phone queue because we know that every call to us is vitally important. We understand the urgency you feel when it comes to your child's health.
Anorexia Nervosa is a medical illness and one of the most deadly eating disorders in children. There are two distinct sub-types of anorexia: restricting AN and purging AN. A proper diagnosis is essential to ensure your child gets the appropriate treatment for their specific symptoms and eating disorder behaviors.
Anorexia nervosa is a malignant brain disorder with a high mortality rate. And recent clinical studies utilizing identical twins have estimated that anorexia has a heritability rate between 56% and 70%. By comparison, the heritability of height is 90%. In other words, a person's genetic inheritance is largely responsible for a biological vulnerability to anorexia (height being almost exclusively based on person's genetics).
Treatment for anorexia nervosa should always include proper medical care and supervision. Because of the intensive nature of evidence-based eating disorder treatment, medical supervision should not be attempted in a primary care setting i.e. If your child is seeing a primary care physician or pediatrician or is in a treatment program and not gaining weight within two weeks of admission, you should strongly consider another program. Weight gain is the essential foundation of recovery, especially in children.
Reviews (21)
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Isabelle H.
Jun 10, 2022
This eating disorder clinic is absolutely horrible. I was a patient and left more traumatized than when I came in. They made me feel embarrassed and shamed about my relationship with food, and my experience here was dehumanizing and absolutely deconstructive towards my self esteem and mental health. The staff are are rude, condescending, and unprofessional.

I left in an even a worse condition and it took counseling from real professionals to actually help me. If your are struggling on any way, please stay away from these "healthcare providers" as they are terrible at their job, dehumanize you, and convince you to stay because that's how they money.
Evelyn Krippner
May 23, 2022
I feel the need to come back on because there is a huge lie in both Kartini and parents choosing to believe that so many reviews by the patients themselves are because they have a disordered perception. As a person with now 5 years of recovery after attending Balance, a 4.2 star treatment center in NY, I can attest to the fact that I experienced abuse at Balance, and my experience is not a disordered perception.

I know that because it was the worst out of the 6 treatment centers I attended. Every single five star review is from a parent. The patient experience, as a child, was total scrutiny, lack of autonomy, and complete distrust in me. What this program fails to understand is that, while certainly weight is an essential part of recovery, damaging trust in order to get a person to a certain weight is traumatizing, and does far more harm than good.

I was lied to about the medication that was prescribed to me, my food and body were controlled every minute through exact food calculations, and I was watched every second of the day. Intuitive eating is the only way to find recovery, and they, at least at the time, did not for a second teach about intuitive eating. My ED was me trying desperately to feel some sort of control after being assaulted. Kartini prevented me from reaching any of my trauma because I was so controlled in every second, that I was forced into survival mode.

I could not let down any defenses. I am honestly appalled that this facility is still open. I know I hated this place in my ED. However, with a decade of separation, I know that this hatred came from knowing I was being deeply mistreated. I can't imagine the fear my parents must have felt, the desperation and the love with which they chose this place.

I wish they knew what is so clear now about how abusive this place is. I sincerely hope any parent reading the reviews chooses to listen to the survivors, not just the parents. Choose to listen to your kids. Choose to listen to the people who have experienced the treatment they provide. Discounting the stories of survivors by calling our experiences "disordered perceptions" is how treatment centers like Kartini continue to abuse children, and it needs to end.
Dawn Morey
May 18, 2022
If I could give this place a "negative star" I would. This place needs to be shut down! NOW! I will continue coming on here even after years have gone by. My daughter was in there with an eating disorder about 10 years ago. Julie's "structured plan" was to get her in there, pile on as much weight as possible (in a short amount of time which is extremely hard on a body that is in starvation mode), pour on the medication so they can't feel or think, then send them out into the world with unrealistic expectations.

After she left and, of course relapsed, we found a place in Arizona that was way more structured and realistic. I am happy to report that she is now in a way better place in her life and has gone on to channel her eating disorder into something positive. If I had a chance to go back, I would do my research. Unfortunately, 10 years ago, there wasn't much and we ended up trusting this place. PARENTS! DO YOUR RESEARCH!
Susan Huffman
Apr 19, 2022
Kartini saved my son's life many years ago. The ongoing support helped him return to a normal life and gave him tools that he continues to use to stay healthy.
Anne Piccolo
Mar 13, 2022
The staff is extremely caring. The program is comprehensive, meetings with family therapist, MD, parent support and nurse. No individual therapy, just FYI. We continued individual therapy outside of the clinic which they supported. I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Moshtael and Dr. Rao. Dr. Moshtael is excellent as far as really wanting understand and connect with the whole family.

I believe she would go to the mat for my child with the insurance company if need be. She's just fantastic. One of the most dedicated and caring providers I've ever encountered (I've worked in healthcare for 20 years). Dr. Rao is straightforward, very caring, knowledgeable and has a good sense of humor. We only had a few meetings with him but he had no trouble bantering back and forth with our precocious (read: sometimes snarky) 12 year old. His explanations to her very age appropriate and overall just a joy to work with him. I recommend the Kartini clinic with no reservations whatsoever.
Bekki Wilson
Feb 20, 2022
I noticed low ratings on Google from many which made me sad. As a parent with a child who was treated for ARFID, I cannot praise this clinic enough. The staff are caring, are educated, and bend over backwards to help these kids get better. As a parent you have to be prepared to do some hard work, and so does your child, and the work continues after you discharge.

Their approach and methods will work, but you have to be willing to set aside everything you know and have learned about food and nutrition, and in some ways, parenting. If you are not open to adopting new ways of thinking about food, eating, and to some degree, parenting, your success will be less. My child never wanted to be there, and he complained almost daily about not want to go.

He also has a sensory processing disorder and there is a requirement to wear pants, which he hated. But he still was there every day, doing the work, and the staff was so welcoming to him, that he tolerated it. The office staff was amazing, from billing to needing letters, documents - anything that helped us. Having a boy with an eating disorder is hard.

It's hard to explain to others, and there are more girls than boys in treatment. But.the clinic never made us feel different or excluded in any way. ARFID is a newer diagnosis and I haven't found anyone or anywhere else that has the knowledge nor expertise to treat this disorder.
Michele Mederos
Jan 09, 2022
We are profoundly grateful to the Kartini Clinic for the exceptional care that was provided, not only to our daughter, but to our family. Dr. Moshtael took time on the weekend while our daughter was in the hospital to do an assessment. While we were on a waitlist, Kartini provided us with potential resources. Once we were ready to start, the staff from intake team to insurance/billing services to the treatment staff were amazing in the way they interacted with us and were very organized.

They showed such genuine care for our daughter and our family. While the recommendations for patients' at home care were daunting, we knew that Kartini staff knew the science. The support and guidance we received from family therapist Leslie and Dr. Moshtael literally helped save our daughter's life. Forever grateful.
Donna P.
Dec 15, 2021
First off a family member of mine assaulted in Portland multiple times and as a result she developed an eating disorder. I found the staff to be rude. They asked me to take my family member by 911 emergency which I found to be highly inappropriate! When I finally got the family member out of the house and into the office they made my family member see the other fragile patients.

Also the Dr was very rude to me. She accused me of being a bad example to my family member. I'm tall and slender. Healthy as a horse. So shame on Kartini for judging me. I don't recommend Kartini on the fact that the Dr was inept.
Venera Cushman
Dec 12, 2021
As a desperate parent in a scary situation, I found these reviews disheartening. I set up the intake hesitantly. But after meeting Dr. Moshtael and her team, I finally felt I was in the hands of people who could help my child. The first 2 weeks of treatment were a whirlwind. I had so many questions. It was difficult to "trust" the process because I had been playing defense for so long.

Be patient. Follow the program and you will see progress. As for the negative reviews, I get it. Squashing something near and dear is hell and having to fight for something you don't necessarily want is negative and traumatic. But it has to be done because there is no other way to live.
Kevin Martin
Sep 17, 2021
The care, support, understanding and expertise we received from Kartini is something that I will forever appreciate. The confusion, shock and trauma we experienced as our daughter suddenly descended into a severe eating disorder felt unreal at the time. To say we were in over our heads is an understatement. Kartini took my wife and me and our awesome daughter under their wing, cared for us all, and provided help and stability in a situation that was absolutely the most challenging, terrifying experience of our lives.

And they got us through it. I can't imagine where we'd be now without their help. Honestly, I owe them everything. Each child's experience is different, for sure, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. But the structure of the meal plan, and the support and love shown to my daughter in the face of her resistance and trauma, were exactly what we needed.

And though she's doing really well a year later, the knowledge that Kartini is there if we need them down the road allows us all to sleep better at night. These are wonderful people doing wonderful things with kids and parents experiencing the horror of an eating disorder. Thank you, Kartini, for saving my daughter's life.
Lisa J.
Oct 01, 2020
Kartini has continued to offer support for our now 12 yr old. Disordered eating is such a challenge and certainly not a one size fits all. The treatment plan and goals have been adjusted and modified for our best chance of success. Our daughter loves it at the clinic and she knows she is loved and supported by everyone. I am not sure how we could ever say thank you enough.
Phil M.
Sep 30, 2018
Our 10 year old son was diagnosed with ARFID and this clinic was instrumental in his finally turning a corner to getting the help we needed. The staff expertise is phenomenal. Our son felt safe there, listened to, and he grew in his ability to advocate for himself. At first he did NOT want to go, but he was well taken care of and actually enjoyed it! Their therapy animals were a big hit. Kartini has family therapists, a doctor, a nurse, small group counselors, and other awesome staff. I would highly recommend this place!
Laura Q.
Apr 05, 2018
The Kartini Clinic saved my son's life. By the time we knew what was happening to my son he had lost 36lbs and his heart rate was 29 BPM at night. We almost lost him. We flew 3,000 miles for this life saving treatment. Dr O'Toole admitted my son immediately and he was hospitalized 19 days for his heart to recover from starvation. The treatment program gave him the support, medication, therapy and tools he needed to restore his weight.

I was taught how to feed my son so that he could restore and grow. The weekly family therapy sessions were vital for us because I had so much to learn about this brain disorder. The parent support group was exceptional and professionally facilitated. We returned home where long term recovery takes place. I was well equipped to support my son. He returned to school, engaged in sports, and social activities etc.

He is now poised to complete his first year at University. Eating Disorders are deadly and complex. I thank God every day that we found the Kartini Clinic. Evidence based treatment is hard to find. Kartini gave me the confidence I needed to combat this disorder at home. My son is now the young man he was mean to be thanks to Dr O'Toole and the entire staff at Kartini clinic.
Mary D.
Nov 03, 2017
When we initially spoke with an intake coordinator, we were told they could offer our entire family support with my son's eating issues. Even though our doctor told us insurance would only pay if the child was physically ill, Kartini encouraged us to come in. When we finally made it in for an assessment, they deemed my child physically healthy, and even though he may have an eating disorder they weren't going to treat him.

I broke out into tears at this news, as our family really needs help. When I opened up more about the problems his eating issues we're causing in our family, they told me they could report me to CPS. They offered no help at all, and saw us to the door. After I wrote my first negative review here, they did report our family to DHS, .rather than offer us help.

Over unfounded concerns. I have my Masters in Education in Montessori and have found in my own work with children and in research studies, that the more children get their hands involved in growing and making food, the healthier they eat. But there was no garden in sight, and I was told by their doctor there that it is inappropriate to involve my child in preparing his own food.

I think perhaps Kartini might need to rethink or expand their methods no? It is very disheartening to seek out help as a single parent and continuously get doors slammed in my face. I definitely do not recommend this clinic to families.
Kellie G.
Oct 21, 2017
Kartini Clinic knows eating disorders. And they know kids. Some of the treatment recommended wasn't easy for our daughter or family, but overall for the most part, it was necessary. Eating disorders are difficult to treat and they change your child. Dealing with one is the hardest thing I've had to do as a parent. I don't know how we would have done it without Kartini Clinic.

I believe they really know their stuff. Dr Moshtael was my daughter's doctor and I can't say enough good things about her. She's extremely knowledgeable while also being compassionate, easily able to relate to kids, quickly responsive, and funny. Great energy. When it comes to explaining difficult concepts and biological responses, she's truly gifted.

The milieu staff were also wonderful, as was front desk and billing. The doctors at the clinic had to go head to head with our insurance company more than once and they were successful. Their willingness to fight for our child demonstrated a passion in their desire to help sick kids that was evident daily. My daughter liked the food there (as much as she liked any food anyway), as it was always fresh and local.

Being in Portland, that's easy to do. All in all, my daughter felt quite supported at Kartini, and she learned valuable tools for managing her anxiety around food and body image. Dr Moshtael remains one of my favorite people on the planet. She's amazing. And all of the people at KC truly care about children and families. I wouldn't wish an eating disorder on my worst enemy. But if you find yourself dealing with one, Kartini Clinic is the place to be.
Chris H.
Oct 09, 2017
Chris H This is a clinic that treats, Eating disorders. My daughter is an on going patient with the clinic.much to our upmost surprise after being down in the dark we are blessed with a ray of light. The program is a great tool and provides life learning skills that will stay with them through out there life. Many may not like it cause of the meal prep well i say, welcome to being back to the health for you children.it works.i tell you my daughter is here.because of it. the structure they showed her is not something us as parents can not give them.

They need this help to provide guidance and professional care with the disorder alongside help with the anxiety process.these people are professionals. It changed not just our family, but our daughters life. THANK YOU. TO ALL THE STAFF! *******EXCELLENT PEOPLE**** COUNSELORS: *LIFE CHANGERS* JOSH BARRETT*** & GRACE*** TARABOCHIA FAMILY THERAPIST: LISA PEACOCK*** INDIVIDUAL THERAPIST: LESLIE WEISNER*** DR. NAGHMAH MOSHTAEL*** NURSE: SHERRILL GANDSBY**
Anne W.
Sep 13, 2017
I would highly recommend the Kartini clinic to anyone with a child suffering from an eating disorder. I am so grateful to all the staff for their ever evolving and professional treatment center. My child has been there twice over he past four years, each for 8 weeks. The first time around she had been hospitalized for many days, this time we caught it a little earlier.

In each instance they helped her turn around the downward spiral and taught us how to be supportive of her in terms of meal planning, therapy, understanding the disease and relapse prevention. We have a much greater understanding about how this recent relapse occurred and she and we have been given tools to help cope in the future. I also have noticed a significant improvement in the overall organization since our first time around. The program is much more streamlined and feels even more comprehensive & respectful of individual families.
Natasha S.
Jun 07, 2017
The Kartini clinic can be a great place if you have a child under the age of 12 suffering from an eating disorder. The program was great for acute medical stabilization since they work with Randall's Childrens Hospital (Legacy Emmanuel). However, when it came to treating the root causes of my eating disorder I found the program very unhelpful.

Every child is put on the same basic meal plan, many are forced to take antipsychotic medications that in many situations are unnecessary, and they truly make you feel like if you don't use them for treatment you will likely not make it. Rather than telling my family my insurance was out of network they helped us create a single-case agreement that my insurance was never ok with.

They were willing to help find ways to loan out the cost of treatment. There was barely any individual therapy if any at all. An anything but perfect recovery was shamed and I would be traumatized into following all the rules. When I struggled with suicidal thoughts I was not taken seriously until I ended up on a hold by my outpatient psychiatrist who clearly saw I was in crisis.

Once I was "recovered" aka weight-restored, the transition back to school was impossible. I spiraled into a 2 year cycle of hospitalizations and residential treatment centers. My parents had to become the "food police" and didn't how to allow me to transition into adulthood. I am now at a place in my life where I do consider myself recovered.

That is thanks to finding the right treatment approach for myself. Everyone is different. I am not writing this because they forced me into the hospital or because I was a child with no choice. Through my personal experience I know what worked and what didn't work for me. If one is young and struggling with an eating disorder I am sure the Kartini Clinic can be great. However, any parent of a young adult should definitely consider any number of alternatives.
K. C.
Dec 07, 2016
I have 3 words to explain in a moment: Kartini. Is. Hell. I began going to Kartini Clinic in summer of 2015 at the age of sixteen. I was admitted after a severe restriction of intake and immediately placed in their day treatment program. There, I received rather traumatizing and abusive treatment. I was scared into eating, and when my insurance cut me early, no one fought for me to continue to recieve treatment and I was stepped down to intensive outpatient.

I had been out of school for the first near three months as it was now winter, and nearing Christmas. Being of my age, I should have been being prepped for independent life outside of the confines of the Kartini walls. Rather, they took all my independence, telling my parents they had to treat me as if I was three again. Nonetheless, they also forced the involvement of both parents which was toxic for me.

My parents marriage had never been happy and was reaching a breaking point. Needless to say, they began a long divorce that is still being fought, while I was a patient there. My relationship with my father is nonexistent and volatile. He didn't know about my eating disorder until days before my intake, because my mom told him. Anyway, I returned to school after being discharged, again, because of insurance.

I relapsed while still in IOP and no one did anything about it. I stopped eating once I discharged. I was readmitted in early February of 2016, after a stint in IOP where I only worsened. Not to mention, there was terrible staff. They cruelly punished me through restraint and isolation, putting me alone in another room when I was being "bad, " aka struggling.

I heard my father was calling and getting information without my consent. Being over the age of 14, I had rights to confidentiality according to Oregon (and Washington) state law. I never signed a release of information for him, despite the law. When brining my point to the table, saying I had a right to confidentiality, the team became enraged, blaming my mom for influence they claimed she had instilled into me.

I was seventeen by this point, and I knew how to do my research. I did it all myself. I was tubed two days after being readmitted to their "highest level of care" (the DTU), and medicated without my consent after not eating a single thing. I was force fed Boost, a supplement drink, which has led to severe PTSD upon exposure to the drink to the point of dissociation and panic attacks rendering me unresponsive.

I didn't eat a thing during the rest of my stay. Needless to say, we began to research better places to go. Every residential center we called was appalled (to say the least) that I was in a partial hospitalization program with a tube. It was unheard of. Once we had a place willing to take me (with my situation of being solely tube fed, I was quickly admitted to the Eating Recovery Center of Washington, which actually kickstarted my recovery and saved my life, & gave me hope for the first time), my mom and I dually agreed to pull me out AMA to get me to said place.

Prior to that, the doctor (Dr. Moshtael) had a screaming fight with my mother right in front of me during our last doctor's appointment (March 11, 2016). Afterwards, we had a scheduled family therapy appointment, where after being asked what we wanted to do with our time, my mother and I turned to each other, asked if we could leave, were told they couldn't stop us, and we proceeded to gather my things and promptly leave to never return.

Six days later (March 17, 2016), on St. Patty's day, I was admitted to Eating Recovery Center of Washington where I was shocked with my rights to confidentiality being followed, HIPPA being obeyed, the fact that my mother AND I were asked to sign overwhelming amounts of papers including releases of information and others (very good thing), the utter kindness and gentleness of staff, and supportiveness of both staff and fellow patients.

No one there was afraid. I was, at first, afraid that people would be physical with me, but they assured me, shockingly, that HIPPA didn't authorize them to restrain me (is only legal in a hospital setting rather than inpatient residential setting). Staff were kind. I got individual therapy without having to beg for it, but rather being required to do it, I got a DIETICIAN, of which Kartini has none (big red flag).

My meal plan was tailored to me. I got a psychiatrist. I was given the opportunity to attend "round table" meetings--(going into staffing and talking with the team myself, unheard of at Kartini). I was kindly cared for by staff in good times, bad times, tears, anger, smiles, panic attacks, and every step of my recovery. I was fought for (HARD) when insurance gave pushback.

I had to authorize medication, being tubed, and other treatment decisions. I met the best therapist I've ever had to this very day (Alissa Petee) there. I could have things other than Boost. Now I am doing better than ever before thanks to ERCWA and Monte Nido
Elle C.
Jan 02, 2016
I was in treatment with Kartini in 2009, when I was 16. It was a nightmare for me and my parents. The program is not individualized to best meet the youth and families needs- everyone is on the same plan with minimal differences. They used scare tactics to convince my parents to have me treated with them, rather than presenting options and letting my parents choose what would be best for my family.

They used scare tactics with me to try to get me to comply with treatment, which didn't work and left me traumatized. They over medicate most of their patients on strong antipsychotic medications and are dishonest with parents and youth about the potential risks and benefits of the medication. They had me sedated to the point where I was sleeping 16 hours a day.

Their biggest flaw is that they treat eating disorders with a medical approach. Eating disorders are psychiatric disorders that require a combination of medical and psychiatric treatment. Treating just the physical aspects doesn't address the real underlying problems. If you have a teen or young adult who needs treatment for an eating disorder, they will find much higher quality services at Providence St. Vincent's eating disorder program or with outpatient providers who specialize in eating disorders. Don't settle for Kartini out of fear for your child, there are better options that won't leave your family traumatized.

I am now 22 and recovered, living a healthy and fulfilling life. I work full time in the mental health field and go to school. This review isn't coming from an angry place of a teenager who feels they were mistreated, this review is coming from a healthy adult that thinks youth and families should be warned about what it is really like at Kartini and have a right to know that there are other options for treatment.
Susan S.
Feb 24, 2015
Kartini is a gift to everyone in the world and a dream come true for the portland metropolitan area. Their alternative approach (family based ordered eating- which seems pretty mainstream, to me) breaks down the barriers between parents and their child. The steps for ordered eating are basic and clear, so everyone is on the same page. Having your child home at night and on the weekends is less distressing for them and gives them some normalcy (let me assure it is work for the parents!). Kartini really makes the parents an integral part in the healing process which makes the process more successful.

When we were there we saw kids who had been in other programs which had not included the parents and kids regressed. There were people who came from all over the country and the world to this program, we are so lucky that it is in our backyard. Thank you Kartini, hated to be there, but grateful for everything!