Continuing Care & Discharge Planning

Building a Strong Foundation for What Comes Next

At SunCloud Health, we recognize that structured treatment—whether at the residential, partial hospitalization (PHP), or intensive outpatient (IOP) level—is one important chapter in a longer healing journey. That’s why we prioritize thorough, personalized discharge planning and continuing care coordination for every adolescent and adult patient we serve.

From the beginning of treatment, our multidisciplinary team works to ensure each patient’s transition out of our care is thoughtful, supported, and aligned with their long-term goals.

Why Continuing Care Planning Matters

The transition out of structured care can feel overwhelming, especially for those managing eating disorders, addiction, mood and anxiety disorders, or trauma-related challenges. Without a clear plan, patients may find themselves isolated or unsure of how to maintain the progress they’ve made.

A strong continuing care plan helps to:

  • Reinforce skills learned during treatment
  • Reduce risk of relapse or disengagement
  • Provide continuity in medical, psychiatric, and therapeutic support
  • Clarify next steps for education, work, or daily living
  • Involve family and external providers in the next stage of care
  • Empower patients to stay connected with support systems

     

We believe discharge planning isn’t something that happens at the end—it’s a collaborative, ongoing process that begins early and evolves throughout treatment.

Alumni Teamwork
Alumni Therapy

What Continuing Care at SunCloud Includes

Each discharge plan is unique, reflecting the needs, diagnoses, strengths, and goals of the individual. Our team—composed of psychiatrists, therapists, dietitians, and care coordinators—works with the patient and their family to identify the best next steps for ongoing support.

Plans may include:

  • Referrals to therapists, psychiatrists, or dietitians
  • Connections to step-down programs, sober living, or supportive housing
  • Academic or vocational transition support for adolescents and young adults
  • Medical follow-up coordination
  • Family therapy or coaching resources post-discharge
  • Introduction to SunCloud’s alumni programming and weekly alumni support groups
  • Enrollment in our private alumni Facebook group for continued connection

     

When appropriate, we also facilitate collaboration with referring providers and schools to ensure alignment across all parts of a patient’s care.

Seamless Transitions, Individualized Planning

At SunCloud Health, discharge is not the end of care—it’s a transition point in a continuum of healing. Our goal is to ensure that each patient leaves treatment with a realistic, actionable plan that reflects who they are, what they’ve worked through, and what they need to thrive moving forward.

We walk alongside our patients and their families through every step of treatment—and we remain a supportive presence as they take their next steps toward independence, connection, and growth.


 

To learn more about continuing care and discharge planning at SunCloud Health, contact us today.

Locations: Northbrook | Naperville | Chicago

Elizabeth E. Sita, MD
Medical Director of Adult Services

Dr. Elizabeth E. Sita, MD, is a Board Certified psychiatrist specializing in the care of patients with eating disorders. She completed her undergraduate training at the University of Chicago and graduated with Highest Honors. She then earned her medical degree at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and was recognized with the Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Psychiatry. She subsequently completed residency with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, where she was elected Chief Resident and received the Resident Psychiatrist Leadership & Service Award.
Upon completing her training, Dr. Sita came to Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, where she served as Assistant Medical Director of the Center for Eating Disorders and Director of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Services before transitioning to lead the new inpatient eating disorder unit as Medical Director of Eating Disorder Services at Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital – Chicago. In these roles, she has cared for a multitude of adolescents and adults struggling with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other eating disorders as well as severe, cooccurring mood, trauma, personality, and substance use disorders.
Dr. Sita has been recognized throughout her training and practice for a commitment to excellence in patient care and for her ability to engage patients in their most challenging moments. Her passions include the care of treatment-resistant eating and mood disorders as well as questions of medical capacity and end-of-life decision making.
She believes that, first and foremost, human connection is key to mental health and well-being and strives to share this philosophy in each and every patient encounter. She is excited to bring her expertise to SunCloud Health as the Medical Director of Adult Services!
 
VIDEO: Meet Elizabeth E. Sita, MD, Medical Director of Adult Services


 https://youtu.be/JbmELh2UGXE

Lacey Lemke, PsyD
Assistant Vice President of Clinical Services

Dr. Lacey Lemke (she/her) is a licensed clinical health psychologist with specialized expertise in the treatment of eating disorders and the practice of medical and health psychology. She completed her doctoral training in clinical psychology with a Primary Care emphasis at the Adler School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Lemke went on to complete both her predoctoral clinical internship and postdoctoral fellowship through Ascension Health, where she gained advanced training working with individuals experiencing eating disorders and self-injurious behaviors, as well as within pediatric subspecialty settings including endocrinology, neurology, and adolescent medicine.

Dr. Lemke is deeply committed to providing evidence-based, compassionate care and collaborates closely with interdisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive treatment. Her professional mission is to support patients in achieving their fullest potential by guiding them to the most appropriate level of care and empowering them to make meaningful, sustainable progress toward improved health and well-being.