![Family-Based Treatment with divorced families [Image description: a black and white drawing of a family of 4 with a tear between the 2 parents] Representing a possible family seeking FBT in Los Angeles, CA](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/family-3090056_1920-1024x683.jpg)
I am often asked if Family-Based Treatment (FBT) works with separated and divorced families. The answer is definitely yes! The treatment can be implemented in a variety of family configurations as long as at least one parent or guardian is involved in the treatment. But, there is to date, little written about this. Research does …
Dr. Muhlheim has a number of upcoming events and speaking engagements this spring 2023. Thursday, February 2, she’ll be doing a virtual training for staff at the Haven at the Center for Psychological Services at the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University, her alma mater. The talk is an overview of …
By Carly Poynter, AMFT, staff therapist The holidays are a challenging time to navigate for most people. The holidays are even more challenging for those who struggle with their relationship with food. As we prepare for the holiday feasts and festivities, there are a few things to consider, especially when you have a child or …
As we have written elsewhere, we believe Family-Based Treatment (FBT) is a complete treatment for teens with eating disorders. Most teens will not need (or want) additional therapy. The one area where we think teens could use a little more support is in developing a strong anti-diet stance to stand up to weight stigma …
We welcome parents of youth 10 to 20 with Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) to our virtual support group. Parenting a young person with ARFID is challenging. Feeding a young person with ARFID is extremely challenging. Meals may feel like a constant struggle. You have likely been given conflicting advice about whether to cater …
When I am working as the Family-Based Treatment (FBT) therapist for a teen in eating disorder recovery, their parents will often ask whether the teen should also see a therapist individually. Unlike other therapy situations, in FBT there is no expectation that there is both an individual therapist and a family therapist. It’s there in …
Many parents experience guilt when their teen is diagnosed with an eating disorder. Nearly every parent can point to a time they themselves dieted, opted not to have a dessert they really wanted, expressed a preference toward thinness, or discouraged their child from keeping eating. You may have done things to try to keep …
Externalizing an eating disorder is a therapeutic strategy that became more widely known through Jenni Schaefer’s book Life Without Ed, cowritten with her therapist Thom Rutledge. The book summarizes Jenni’s recovery from an eating disorder. Jenni describes how in her treatment she learned to personify the eating disorder as “Ed,” an abusive boyfriend. As explained in …
Parents doing Family-Based Treatment (FBT) often struggle with “normal parenting concerns” and setting limits while doing FBT. They’re refeeding their teens at home, doing the hard work often done by professional staff at treatment centers, but they still have to parent. It’s exhausting. Their teens who have eating disorders are often experiencing the psychological and …
We are excited to announce our low-cost eating disorder therapy program. Via our designation as a practicum site, we are now able to train advanced graduate students in psychology in evidence-based treatment for eating disorders. This allows us to further our mission of helping to disseminate evidence-based treatments and to bring them to people in …