Key principles of BridgePoint’s philosophy include:

• Recovery is possible. Hope is foundational, and we believe people can move toward healing at any stage of their journey.
• Each person is the expert of their own experience. We honour lived experience and walk alongside individuals, not in front of them. 
• Connection heals. Community, peer support, and therapeutic relationships are essential to counter isolation and shame.   
• Body trust and self-compassion are cultivated. We use non-diet, weight-inclusive practices that promote sustainable, self-directed nourishment and care.   
• Trauma-informed care is essential. Safety, choice, and empowerment guide every interaction.   
• There is no “one-size-fits-all” recovery. We value flexibility, curiosity, and responsiveness over rigid protocols.

This philosophy informs every aspect of our programming—from group therapy and somatic practices to nutrition education and creative expression.

We challenge harmful societal narratives about food, health, and appearance by supporting participants to:

• Reclaim trust in their bodies   
• Explore relationships with food without shame or rigidity
• Move away from diet culture and weight-based assumptions 
• Honour lived experiences and cultural contexts in healing

Our team respects that healing is deeply personal and non-linear. We create space for participants to define recovery on their own terms—fostering self-compassion, agency, and long-term resilience. We, along with many researchers, believe that dieting doesn’t work for the long term. Frequent dieting disrupts our body’s natural relationship with food, tends to lead to weight gain rather than loss, and stands as one of the primary predictors of eating disorders.

• BridgePoint is a residential program, meaning that healing extends beyond structured group sessions. Living in community offers powerful opportunities for reflection, connection, and shared learning. Within a supportive group environment, participants explore their experiences, foster belonging, and build mutual support. We understand that struggling with an eating disorder can be lonely and painful—some of us have been there. Our team brings a diverse range of strengths and resources to support you. Thank you for taking this step toward recovery.

Inclusive & Body-Neutral Environment

• BridgePoint is a welcoming space inclusive of all genders, cultures, body sizes, and ages. We honour the diverse lived experiences of our participants and are committed to fostering a culture of respect, compassion, and belonging.
• To help maintain a safe and supportive space, we ask that participants refrain from discussing diets, weight loss, or body-focused goals during programming. These conversations can be triggering and shift focus away from recovery. Thank you for helping us uphold a body-neutral, non-diet environment where participants can engage in healing, connection, and self-compassion.

Intake Process

• Upon arrival, you’ll meet with our intake nurse and members of the team for a brief check-in, a tour of the centre, and to be shown to your room. During this time, we will assess medical and psychiatric stability and collect any sharps, keys, and medications for safekeeping.
• While you are waiting, we encourage you to get settled in, label and put away any food you brought, and get to know the team and fellow participants.
• Medication is self-administered, and you can access your belongings at any time by connecting with a team member. We strive to maintain a balance between safety and autonomy in a supportive and respectful environment.

Program Expectations

• Participants are expected to attend all scheduled group sessions and actively engage in the program. Consistent participation helps foster safety, trust, and community.
• We ask all participants to follow the walls and boundaries of the program—these shared agreements help create a respectful, trauma-informed space that supports emotional well-being and individual healing.

Arrival Times

• Doors open at 3:00 PM for all retreats and modules. If you arrive early, you're welcome to wait in the front lobby. Please ensure your ride stays until you’ve been fully admitted.

Program Schedule

• Programs run from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM and include a full day of group learning, personal opportunity time, and community connection. A typical day at BridgePoint features shared meals, group sessions (morning, afternoon and evening), one-on-one support when requested, and personal reflection time, along with opportunities to explore a variety of therapeutic tools and practices. Evenings are dedicated to integration and reflection, with space to unwind and prepare for rest.

Dining & Kitchen Info

• We provide three meals and snacks daily, served buffet-style with team support. 
• We are a peanut-free facility due to severe allergies. Severe allergies requiring an epi-pen must be disclosed before arrival.
• While we do our best to accommodate special diets, we may not be able to meet all requests. A participant fridge is available for storing personal food items. Vegetarian options are offered; however, we are not equipped to provide Kosher, Halal, or full gluten-free (Celiac-level) meals.

  Examples of what’s offered:  

• Breakfast: Yogurt, boiled eggs, cereal, fruit, toast, cottage cheese, baking (muffins, banana bread), and occasional hot cereal
• Lunch & Supper: Salad bar, soup/chili, proteins (beef, poultry, fish, legumes), starches (potatoes, rice, pasta), and vegetables
• Beverages: Coffee, tea, milk, juice, water, and occasional non-dairy options like almond or coconut milk   
• 24/7 Access: A participant cooler with yogurt, eggs, fruit, cottage cheese, baked goods, and leftovers

Technology & Devices

• Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building. Participants are welcome to keep personal devices and use them during breaks or personal time. However, devices are not permitted in group rooms or at the dining table, to help maintain a distraction-free, connected, and supportive environment.

Accommodations

• Our goal is to offer a restful, comfortable space that supports healing and reflection. Rooms are typically single occupancy with a private washroom and all linens provided. Participants also have access to a shared shower room with individual stalls, a private tub room, and size-inclusive towels.

Visitors

• All visitors must be pre-approved by the BridgePoint team and scheduled during personal opportunity time without disrupting programming. A private space will be arranged to protect participant privacy and support a safe, respectful healing environment.

Confidentiality

• Confidentiality is essential to creating a safe, trusting environment at BridgePoint. Participants are expected to respect each other’s privacy by not sharing names, stories, or experiences outside the program, and by avoiding photos or recordings without consent.  Our team also follows strict professional confidentiality standards, with exceptions only in cases of safety risk or legal obligation.

Substance-Free Environment

• BridgePoint is a substance-free environment to support safety, clarity, and healing during your stay. The use of alcohol, recreational drugs, or non-prescribed substances is not permitted on site.  Marijuana may only be used with a valid medical prescription, and its use must be disclosed to the intake team in advance. Any prescribed use will be managed respectfully and in accordance with our safety protocols.

Smoking & Vaping

• Smoking and vaping are permitted only in the designated outdoor smoking area. We appreciate your help in keeping shared spaces comfortable and safe for all participants.

• The program may be suitable for those with a DSM-5 diagnosis or on the continuum of disordered eating behaviors.
• Participants must complete an application for assessment and review prior to confirmation of a bed. Intake interviews may be set up to determine fit for the program.
• Applications may be self-referral for the initial stages of the program (retreats). 
• Medical stability is required to participate in onsite programming as approved in conjunction with your primary care team.
• All BridgePoint Clients will provide consents and SHA Terms of Service prior to admission.

 

• Admissions are coordinated based on scheduled program intake dates.
• Participant intake is typically at 3:00pm unless otherwise scheduled. Due to reduced access to the BridgePoint Client’s family physician and to accommodate staffing scheduling, a participant may be denied admission if they are considerably late and miss the intake process.
• Admission may be refused if the participant is under the influence of drugs or alcohol or there is risk of detoxing or deemed medically unstable by nursing staff.

 

•  Is attending voluntarily and is a resident of Saskatchewan or has a valid Saskatchewan Health Card and must be at least 16 years of age;
•  Must be fewer than twenty (20) weeks pregnant for the duration of stay;
•  Must be able to carry out adequate basic personal hygiene; be ambulant and must remain medically stable for the duration of programming;
• Cannot be using the center as respite or to detox of any kind;
•  Cannot be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Participants will not be cleared for admission until they are capable of understanding all directions that are given, as deemed by staff; including medication compliance as prescribed by their primary care team. A review of PIPs will be completed upon admission. 
• Does not display any abusive, violent or aggressive behaviours;
• Must not breach any legal orders (e.g., restraining order against staff);
• Medical marijuana usage and attendance of service animals must have preapproval and with support of primary care team documentation.
• Approval must be provided by the primary BridgePoint care team by completion of Part B and Part C of the intake package to confirm stability and support participation in the program; including review and signoff of requested labs. 
• Assessed as medically stable at intake, in that the BridgePoint Client is not:

                   1. detoxing from psychiatric prescribed medication or PRNs without a physician’s direction;

                   2. at acute risk of self-harm or harm to others; and/or

                   3. at risk of refeeding syndrome

 

• Medical or psychiatric instability, including self-harm requiring emergency treatment;
• Failure to sign-in medication for self-administration, including PRNs and sharps;
• Non-compliance to medical advice or self-administration of medication;
• Custody of alcohol or drug substances in their room, on their person, or consumed during their stay;
• Leaves the grounds without prior approval of staff;
• Smokes or vapes inside the building;
• Engages in violent or abusive acts;
• Steals from BridgePoint, staff, external partners or participants;
• Does not abide by provincial public health orders or other federal laws;
• Threatens the safety or well-being of team or other participants;
• Is written up for breaching BridgePoint Walls and Boundaries and has been given final warning by the BridgePoint leadership team;
• BridgePoint will arrange for a ride home to facilitate discharge as timely as possible and may include use of taxi, ambulance, or RCMP;

 

• A breach or consistent breach of terms, commitments, consents and BridgePoint’s Walls and Boundaries as signed during the application and admission process for any reason that may jeopardize the safety of the group;
• Practices self-harming or inability to maintain medical stability, in which a medical transfer may occur;
•  Assessment of suicidal ideation that requires triage to a medical facility;
• Breaches anonymity and confidentiality of other BridgePoint Clients, staff BridgePoint members or participants without their explicit consent;
• A pattern of failing to attend or participate in group sessions;
• Program unsuitability due to philosophy, cognition levels, motivation, etc.;
• Frequent cancellations, previous discharges or no-shows to programs may impact future admissions.
• Breach of public health order or COVID-19 safety protocols.