Family Based Treatment (FBT)
At Audra Walsh Psychology Group, we specialize in providing the gold-standard, evidence-based treatment for children, teens, and young adults diagnosed with an eating disorder. If you or your child struggles with disordered eating patterns that affect health and well-being, FBT may be the right approach to help.
What is Family Based Treatment (FBT)?
Family Based Treatment (FBT) is a highly effective, evidence-based therapy designed primarily for children, teens, and young adults struggling with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or other forms of disordered eating. Unlike traditional therapy approaches that focus solely on the individual, FBT involves the entire family in the treatment process.
How FBT Works
FBT typically involves three distinct phases:
Phase 1- Weight Restoration and Symptom Interruption: Parents take charge of their child's eating habits, meal planning, and nutrition to help them regain weight or stop harmful behaviors (such as purging).
Phase 2- Returning Control to the Child: As the child’s health improves, parents gradually give back some responsibility for food choices while continuing to monitor their progress closely.
Phase 3-Establishing a Healthy Identity: This phase focuses on addressing normal developmental issues and helping the young person return to age-appropriate independence.
Throughout these phases, FBT emphasizes close collaboration between the family and the therapist, ensuring that everyone is working together toward recovery.
FBT for Kids
FBT is flexible and can be adapted to suit the developmental stage of your child. When treating younger children, for example, the approach focuses on helping parents take control of feeding and nutrition in a compassionate and supportive way, while also adjusting to the emotional and cognitive abilities of the child. For adolescents and older teens, FBT might gradually shift some responsibility for recovery back to the individual while continuing to maintain family involvement.
The Research Base Behind FBT
FBT is one of the most researched treatments for eating disorders. Numerous studies have shown that FBT can lead to significant improvements in weight restoration, reduction in disordered eating behaviors, and overall psychological health for adolescents. It is particularly effective in treating anorexia nervosa, where it is often considered the first-line treatment for young people.
Resources to Learn More
Here are some trusted resources to explore:
National Alliance for Eating Disorders
FEAST (Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders)
Academy for Eating Disorders (AED)
Kelty Mental Health Resource Center
FBT can be a transformative experience for families and offers hope for recovery. At Audra Walsh Psychology Group, we’re here to support you and your family every step of the way.
Who Might Benefit from FBT?
FBT is particularly beneficial for families with a child or adolescent who is experiencing an eating disorder. Parents and caregivers are empowered to play an active role in helping their child recover. FBT emphasizes that families are not the cause of the eating disorder but are a crucial part of the solution. It is best suited for individuals still living at home or with heavily involved care partners, as the treatment depends on the close involvement of the family.
FBT is particularly effective for:
Anorexia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
Other forms of disordered eating