Eating disorders are complex illnesses caused by the interaction of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. FBT takes an agnostic view of the eating disorder, which means that we don’t know what caused the eating disorder and the focus of therapy is not finding out but prioritizing nourishment and bringing the child back to health and typical development. In FBT the parents are in charge of re-feeding their child by having full control over their meals, providing support with the guidance of the therapist. This view empowers the parents and gives them a framework to help their child.

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FBT states that families do not cause eating disorders. On the contrary, they are at the forefront of supporting their child's recovery and are an integral part of the solution to their child’s eating disorder. This approach is one of the most successful treatments for eating disorders in children and teens with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED). 

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Who is a good candidate for this type of therapy?

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• Adolescents living with their families or at least one family member

• Children and adolescents between 7 and 17 years of age

• Having a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED)

• Parents are able to read and speak fluent English and/or Spanish

• Adolescent is medically stable for outpatient treatment

 

Carolina Gaviria, LMHC, NCC, CEDS-S, one of our lead clinicians, completed the training “Implementing Family-Based Treatment for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa for Providers in Private Practice: A Feasibility Study” at Stanford University. For more information, about FBT and how it can help you, you can email us at info@homeforbalance.com. We can answer your questions and determine if FBT is the right approach for you and your child. We look forward to talking with you!