Facilitating Specialized Multifaceted Mental, Behavioral, and Physical Health Care: A Q&A With Thrive Wellness Reno Lead Case Manager Caleb Carter

Thrive • September 1, 2022

At Thrive Wellness Reno, a case manager serves as the main point of contact for clients in higher level of care treatment programs. By maintaining the flow of information between the client, their family, and their providers, a case manager works to advocate for the client and ensure the seamless integration of the client’s personalized treatment plan. Learn more about case management’s role in the treatment experience in this Q&A with Thrive Wellness Reno Lead Case Manager Caleb Carter.

What kinds of clients receive case management services at Thrive Wellness Reno?

Clients in our eating disorder treatment intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs and “It Takes A Village” perinatal day program have access to case management services. Within these programs, clients are cared for by an integrated treatment team that may include psychiatrists, therapists, registered dietitians, primary care providers, occupational therapists, mindful movement specialists, and more. Given the comprehensive nature of these programs, efficient communication channels are necessary to carry out collaborative, targeted client care, which is where case management comes in. 

What does case management involve?

While case managers aren’t necessarily clinicians, they are well-versed in all aspects of clients’ treatment. I like to call case managers “jacks of all trades,” which provides an invaluable extension to the various specialists on a client’s treatment team. 

At Thrive Wellness Reno, case managers: 

  • Advocate on behalf of clients: A case manager maintains clear channels of communication with the client and their family and relays pertinent information to the client’s care providers during weekly treatment team meetings. A case manager may also make suggestions to the client’s clinicians based on their knowledge of the client’s recovery progress. 
  • Guide clients and their families throughout the treatment process: A case manager walks the client and their family through each step of the program, recapping weekly treatment team meetings, offering context for clinical decisions, and ensuring they feel comfortable and confident about the care they’re receiving.
  • Collaborate with admissions representatives: A case manager works with the admissions representatives to ensure a client’s transition into treatment is seamless and welcoming. 
  • Coordinate clinical appointments: A case manager helps the client schedule internal appointments with their various clinical providers. 
  • Secure employment leave: A case manager may help the client obtain time off from work through the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which requires employers to provide employees with job-protected, unpaid leave for family and medical reasons. 
  • Obtain a 504 plan for students: A case manager can also help secure approval for a 504 plan, which ensures a student receives appropriate accommodations at school based on their mental or behavioral health conditions and treatment needs. 
  • Explore financial aid options: A case manager may connect the client to possible financial aid avenues for funding their treatment if deemed appropriate based on their available insurance coverage.
  • Provide referrals: A case manager may help connect the client with other kinds of care to complement their treatment. 
  • Organize aftercare: Just as a case manager helps support the client’s admissions process, a case manager also ensures a client has outpatient care resources in place after completing treatment. 

Why is case management beneficial? 

Case managers have a unique vantage point, as we are involved in every element of clients’ treatment from their admission to their discharge. Throughout our regular interactions with clients, we are often able to investigate the sources of each client’s struggles and ensure their treatment meets them exactly where they are in their recovery. 

Additionally, a case manager supports the client’s family members who are often in a state of crisis and worried about the health of their loved one. Case managers keep parents and caregivers informed and updated, address any of their concerns, and offer encouragement and hope for their loved one’s healing. 

How does case management contribute to clients’ recovery?

Without case management, it would be difficult to facilitate integrated care that involves mental, behavioral, and physical health specialists. With the full perspective of the client’s treatment, a case manager can handle all the logistics on behalf of the client, guide them in overcoming any obstacles to healing, and help foster lasting recovery. 

Essentially, a case manager is committed to connecting and caring for all involved with one’s treatment experience and, ultimately, helping one navigate their unique healing journey.  

COMPREHENSIVE, COLLABORATIVE CARE AT THRIVE WELLNESS

Complex conditions such as eating disorders and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders require multifaceted treatment that addresses the mental, behavioral, and physical health elements of one’s journey to well-being. Thrive Wellness Reno’s case managers ensure that clients are enveloped by healing treatment in a way that promotes deep-rooted recovery. Reach out to learn more. 

While all Thrive Wellness locations offer interdisciplinary clinical teams who collaborate to treat eating disorders, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), and additional mental and behavioral health conditions, programs and services may vary by location.

About the Contributor

Thrive Wellness Reno Lead Case Manager Caleb Carter

Caleb Carter earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Louisiana State University Shreveport, then spent several years working in the nonprofit sector at The Hub Urban Ministries serving the most impoverished communities in Shreveport, Louisiana. During this time, he worked with the houseless population as well as victims of human trafficking. His mission-driven nature and aspirations then led him to the healthcare industry where he worked as a patient flow coordinator and discharge planner at Willis Knighton Health Systems, an acute hospital in northwest Louisiana. Before relocating to Reno, Nevada to join Thrive Wellness Reno, he also gained experience at Ascent Health Inc. as a wrap-around services facilitator.

At Thrive, Caleb is a lead case manager who works directly with clients and their families as they initiate and progress through eating disorder treatment. He enjoys advocating for clients and their loved ones along their journey to better health, supporting them through tough times, and ultimately celebrating their recovery. He is passionate about the holistic and integrated care that Thrive tailors to each individual client as well as the supportive and compassionate culture that the organization prides itself on.

Caleb has embraced his new life in Reno and enjoys exploring the western United States in his spare time.

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When Emma was 8, her parents noticed her food choices shrinking. At first, they assumed it was just picky eating — “She’ll outgrow it,” friends said. But by 10, Emma would only eat crackers, cheese, and chicken nuggets. Family dinners became nightly struggles, her growth slowed, and she skipped birthday parties to avoid “strange food.” Her parents felt powerless, her brother grew frustrated, and outings dwindled. What began as food avoidance soon reshaped the rhythm of the entire household. When children avoid food, most parents expect it’s a passing stage. But when restriction deepens, shrinks to only a few “safe foods,” and begins affecting growth or health, families suddenly find themselves in unfamiliar territory. This is often where Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) emerges — with effects that extend far beyond the plate. As providers, we need to be attuned to these patterns. It’s tempting to dismiss them as “no big deal,” yet for many families, they are life-altering. Sadly, Emma’s story is not unusual. Mealtimes as Battlegrounds Families living with ARFID often describe mealtimes as emotionally charged, exhausting, and unpredictable. What should be a chance to connect around the table can feel more like a negotiation or even a standoff. Parents wrestle with whether to push their child to try a new food or give in to the same “safe foods” again and again to avoid tears, gagging, or complete meltdowns. This ongoing tension can make mealtimes dreaded rather than cherished. Siblings, too, are affected. Some may feel resentful when family meals are limited to what only one child will tolerate. Others may act out in response to the constant attention the child with ARFID receives. Over time, the dinner table shifts from a place of nourishment and bonding into a stage for conflict, anxiety, and guilt — a pattern that can erode family cohesion and resilience. Social Isolation and Missed Experiences ARFID impacts more than what happens at home; it influences how families engage with the world around them. Everyday events — birthday parties, school lunches, vacations, even extended family dinners — become sources of stress. Parents may pack special foods to avoid confrontation or, in many cases, decline invitations altogether to protect their child from embarrassment or overwhelm. This avoidance can lead to an unintended consequence: isolation. Families miss out on milestones, friendships, and traditions because of the unpredictability surrounding food. The child may feel left out or ashamed, while parents grieve the loss of “normal” family experiences. This social withdrawal can compound the anxiety already present in ARFID and deepen its impact across generations. Emotional Toll on Parents The emotional strain on parents navigating ARFID is significant. Many describe living in a constant state of worry — Will my child get enough nutrients? Will they ever grow out of this? Am I doing something wrong? This worry often spirals into guilt and self-blame, particularly when outside voices dismiss the disorder as mere “picky eating.” In addition, the pressure to “fix” mealtimes can strain marital relationships, creating disagreements over discipline, feeding strategies, or medical decisions. Parents may also feel emotionally depleted, pouring all their energy into managing one child’s needs while inadvertently neglecting themselves or their other children. Without support, this chronic stress can lead to burnout, depression, and disconnection within the family system. The Role of Providers For clinicians, ARFID must be viewed not only as an individual diagnosis but as a family-wide challenge. Effective care requires attention to both the clinical symptoms and the family dynamics that shape recovery. 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By addressing both the psychological and relational dimensions, providers can help transform mealtimes from a source of conflict into an opportunity for healing and connection. For those who want to go deeper, we invite you to join our upcoming training on ARFID , where we will explore practical strategies for supporting both clients and their families.
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As a parent, noticing alarming behaviors around food or routines in your child can raise some important questions. You might be asking yourself, “Is this an eating disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or something else entirely?” Understanding the signs and differences between these disorders is key to getting your child effective, timely treatment. In this blog, we’ll break down the overlap between OCD and eating disorders, what signs to watch for, and how to get professional help. If you're a parent wondering “Is my child’s eating disorder actually OCD?” or “OCD vs eating disorder in teens,” know that you’re not alone and you’re in the right place to find specialized care for your child. What Is OCD? Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition where unwanted thoughts (obsessions) cause anxiety, leading to repetitive behaviors (compulsions) intended to ease that anxiety. OCD can be focused on any subject. Common obsessions include contamination, perfectionism, scrupulosity, and harm, but sometimes, the content of obsessions can be focused on food, body image, or weight. What Is an Eating Disorder? Eating disorders , like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) involve disturbed eating behaviors and intense concerns about body weight or shape. These conditions go beyond dieting or “picky eating” and can become life-threatening without professional intervention. The Overlap: Why It Can Be Confusing OCD and eating disorders often share similar symptoms : Ritualistic eating (e.g., needing to eat foods in a certain order or at a certain time) Rigid rules about food (like only eating certain food groups or certain amounts of food) Excessive checking (like weighing food or body or repeated checking of expiration dates or thorough cooking) Avoidance behaviors ( like avoiding carbs, fats, or other food groups or avoiding places or objects that can trigger obsessions) Distress when routines are disrupted (either around mealtimes or exercise routines) So, How Can You Tell the Difference? Use the following chart to compare and contrast symptoms of OCD and eating disorders.
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