Casa Zwo is a residential group home designed specifically for girls and young women living with eating disorders. It is one of around 150 institutions in Germany that are specialized in the treatment of eating disorders including clinics, counseling and support centers, therapeutic contact points and outpatient/community-based as well as inpatient/residential care programs as group homes. It is part of and financed by youth welfare services. A stay at Casa Zwo is usually recommended by clinics in cases where returning home could potentially maintain or even reinforce the disorder. Thus, Casa Zwo offers a unique healing bridge on the journey from hospital care back to everyday life. Its holistic care combines pedagogical- therapeutic support, nutrition counseling and everyday structure within a protected environment by women for women. Moreover, Casa Zwo is part of a local network including psychotherapists, psychiatrists as well as outpatient/community-based services and cooperates nationwide with several specialized clinics. This ensures that residents are also well cared for in times of crisis and that follow-up services are accessible. By creating a setting where recovery is lived day by day, Casa Zwo welcomes each resident as she is and supports her recovery process in her individuality. It provides a safe space to explore and practice new ways of dealing with both inner and outer conflicts, encouraging the development of sustainable alternative strategies and solutions. Thus, it is a place where girls and young women can slowly learn to enjoy life again and to empower themselves. If the program is perceived as suitable, residents generally stay for a period of two to four years.
The multi-professional team of Casa Zwo supports its residents not only in managing their daily lives and rebuilding a healthy relationship with food, but also in shaping their future. They are encouraged to return to school or pursue vocational paths while at the same time maintaining and strengthening constructive relationships with family and friends. This holistic approach provides a foundation for recovery that reaches multifaceted aspects of eating disorders beyond mere eating behavior and opens perspectives for a self-determined and healthy life.
