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The Schilter family name is well recognized throughout Thurston County. School teachers, farmers, home builders are just some of the ways that Thurston County residents may have engaged with a Schilter family member.

sunset airStacy Schilter Pisano, a proud third generation Schilter, respects her deep family roots in the community and enjoys the beautiful water of the Puget Sound. Olympia is home. Over a decade ago, Stacy returned home from college to recover from a life threatening eating disorder. Following her recovery, she was determined to realize her professional dreams and raise the fourth generation of Schilters in Olympia.

eating disorder treatment
As a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and having recovered herself from an eating disorder, Stacy Schilter Pisano is the site director for The Emily Program in South Sound.

Stacy knows the local family history intimately. “My grandfather and his brother originally came to Olympia from Switzerland in 1923. They returned to Switzerland in 1935, met two sisters and had a double wedding before returning to the Olympia area a year later. They both started farming in separate areas, one in Nisqually (now Schilter Family Farm) and the other at the end of Sleater-Kinney Road,” explains Stacy. “Both couples had five children, thereby creating ten ‘double-cousins’ who went on to build the Schilter name in the area. Some of the Schilters remained in farming, while others went on to other ventures. My dad developed his own business as a custom-home contractor and my mom taught in the Olympia School District for over twenty years.”

Stacy grew up in homes that her dad built and attended Peter G. Schmidt Elementary School, Griffin School, and Capital High School. While at Capital High School, Stacy played soccer, ran track, was a Cougar mascot and worked at Steamboat Annie’s. Yet what she loved the most was to play soccer. Stacy started playing at age eight. Playing year round, she participated in both club soccer and on her high school team. She went on to play collegiately at Western Washington University until her eating disorder compromised her ability to play, enjoy the game and shattered her sense of self as an athlete.

eating disorder treatment
Stacy Schilter Pisano opened The Emily Program in South Sound in August 2014 to serve those struggling with eating disorders.

“While I did not recognize the severity of my illness at the time, my coach and teammates could not miss it,” she says. “In March of my junior year, my parents, the school and doctors intervened. They insisted I seek help. I promised them I would change and improve but they were not promises that I could keep. I left Western’s campus for what I thought was a temporary reason when I was hospitalized at Swedish Medical Center in Ballard.”

Because of her medical status, Stacy was not able to re-enroll at Western. Rather, she moved back in with her parents in Olympia. Her parents were eager to provide whatever support she needed. Unfortunately, at that time there was little professional support available in the Olympia area and in fact, there was a severe gap in services for eating disorders in Washington State.

eating disorder treatment
Stacy Schilter Pisano and her husband enjoy boating anything water-related, especially scuba diving in the Puget Sound.

“Having experienced what I had with my eating disorder, and knowing how lost my parents felt during that time, it was a strong desire of mine to eventually create a facility that would provide resources for individuals struggling, as well as their family members seeking support,” explains Stacy. In pursuit of this vision, Stacy completed her Master’s in Psychology, earned designation as a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and opened a private practice in Olympia specializing in eating disorders. After being in private practice for six years, Stacy was approached by the Emily Program with the prospect of opening a facility in South Sound.

The Emily Program in South Sound offers outpatient, intensive outpatient, and partial hospitalization (intensive day treatment), as well as free friends and family support group and a free support group for struggling individuals. The staff at the Emily Program includes therapists, dietitians, group therapists, psychiatrist and a medical doctor on contract.

eating disorder treatment
Stacy Schilter Pisano and Laurie Schaetzel-Hill collaborate in the small group therapy room at The Emily Program. Laurie was a dietitian instrumental in Stacy’s recovery.

“When The Emily Program was looking at establishing the South Sound program, they also sought out dietitian, Laurie Schatzel-Hill.  I saw Laurie for nutrition counseling when I was struggling,” says Stacy. “She has been an influential dietician in Olympia for over 20 years and I’m delighted to have her on our staff now.”

Stacy explains, “When somebody in Thurston County or the surrounding area is struggling with food or body-image related challenges, we are a one-stop-shop for care, support, and information. We also are available to provide education to groups, schools, or teams who are interested in learning more about clinical eating disorders, disordered eating behaviors or intrusive body-image concerns.”

“Eating disorders do not discriminate and can impact people of any age, socioeconomic class, gender, ethnic background or status,” she says. “I am continually inspired to see clients overcome their disordered eating behaviors, move past insecurity and begin to participate freely and fully in their lives. Lives are improved when they no longer have to combat thoughts, behaviors and emotions inherent in dealing with an eating disorder.”

To learn more about the Emily Program in South Sound visit their website, call 888-364-5977, or go to their facility at 673 Woodland Square Loop SE, Suite 330 in Lacey.

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