TL;DR Parenting a teen with an eating disorder during Family-Based Treatment (FBT) is challenging. Parents need to balance normal parenting with the unique demands of recovery, which often involves refeeding at home. It’s important to distinguish between behaviors stemming from the eating disorder (like defiance during meals) and typical teenage rebellion. During high-stress moments related …
TL;DR Transitioning to college can be exciting yet challenging, especially for those with a history of eating disorders. It’s crucial to prioritize your recovery during this time. Here are key strategies: Build a Support System: Reach out to family, friends, and potential new connections at college. Keep a list of contacts for support. Follow Your …
TL;DR At the 2018 International Conference on Eating Disorders, experts discussed the low BMI threshold (18.5) often used to define recovery from anorexia nervosa, suggesting it’s inadequate for many individuals, especially those with higher weights or atypical anorexia. Many parents and practitioners advocate for a more individualized approach to recovery weights, emphasizing that a higher …
![Therapy for Emetophobia--specific fear of vomiting [Image description: purple scrabble tiles spelling out "emetophobia" & "vomit."]](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/IMG_5866-1024x768.jpg)
By Carly Poynter, Psy.D. and Lauren Muhlheim, Psy.D. Do you have a fear of vomiting? Does your fear of vomiting impact your ability to eat certain foods, in certain situations, or to an adequate level of fullness? If you have been diagnosed with a restrictive eating disorder, this phobia may drive your eating. You have …
![Eating Lunch in Recovery [Image description: Neon Light spelling "EAT"] Depicts the instruction for a person in eating disorder recovery to eat lunch.](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/pexels-timmossholder-111352011-1024x682.jpg)
Guest post by 2024-2025 doctoral extern, Natalie Cynamon. School lunchtime is ideal for catching up with friends, decompressing, or watching a show on your phone. However, it’s not long until the bell rings again, telling you it is time to return to class. With so little time to do what you want, it can be …
![ARFID and Holidays [Image description: Purple scrabble tiles spelling "ARFID and Holidays"]](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_3940-1024x718.jpg)
The holidays are supposed to be joyous occasions where families gather and eat together. But these two particular elements combined—family and food—can be extremely challenging for adults with Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). If you are an adult who has ARFID you may struggle with eating enough overall and or with variety. You may …
![Private equity and eating disorders [Image description: an empty boardroom with windows] depicts a potential private equity firm investing in eating disorder centers](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/benjamin-child-GWe0dlVD9e0-unsplash1-1024x683.jpg)
In case you haven’t been paying attention, the economics of eating disorder treatment centers have been evolving. And it is doing so in ways that may be harmful. Today, a very small number of large entities own and run most of the country’s residential treatment and day treatment centers. Private equity firms now back most …
![Eating Disorders and Bariatric Surgery [Image description: purple scrabble tiles spelling "Eating Disorders and Bariatric Surgery"]](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_21292-1024x767.jpg)
Health professionals often recommend bariatric surgery for patients with larger bodies. A large body size, referred to in the medical world as “obesity,”—a term we will not use unless citing medical data— is not the same as an eating disorder. Yet, there is an intersection. A considerable number of people considering bariatric surgery may have …
![Speakers at FEAST special webinar [Image description: "Promoting Life in the Treatment of Severe and Enduring Eating Disorders" featuring speakers Lauren Muhlheim, Psy.D., Lucene Wisniewski, Ph.D., Judy Krasna, Angela Guarda, MD & Walter Kay, MD. "Wed, Feb 28. 2024" Register at www.FEAST.ED.org"]](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_1604-1006x1024.jpg)
Dr. Muhlheim is busy with several speaking and training engagements this spring. See where you can catch her below. On February 4, she’ll be a speaker at the 2024 Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders (FEAST) of Knowledge. Her topic is Stages of Recovery: Setting Parental Expectations. Registration is available through FEAST’s website. …
![Eating Disorder Group Therapy in California and Online [Image description: purple scrabble tiles spelling "Eating Disorder Group Therapy"]](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/IMG_07323-1024x654.jpg)
What is Group Therapy? Group therapy is when several patients are treated together in the same room—or as is often the case today, the same zoom meeting—as other patients with the same problem, usually with one or two leaders or therapists. Group Therapy can be helpful for people with eating disorders and their supportive loved …