Family-Based Treatment for Anorexia Recovery

Applying evidence-based treatment to anorexia recovery is improving prognosis and outcomes for individuals who are suffering. One key treatment that has proven effective for adolescents suffering from anorexia is family-based treatment, also known as the Maudsley Method.

Christopher Dare and colleagues at the Maudsley Hospital in London created this approach for the treatment of anorexia nervosa. Family-Based therapy is based on the foundation that parents play an active and positive role in treatment to encourage weight restoration to normal levels as well as encourage normal adolescent development¹.

The Effectiveness of the Maudsley Approach

Clinical studies that have investigated the effectiveness of the Maudsley approach have shown promising results, with approximately two thirds of adolescent patients with anorexia recovered by the conclusion of family-based therapy and 75-90 percent of patients fully weight restored at a five year follow up².

Furthermore, research has demonstrated that family-based therapy is most effective for adolescents who have been ill for a considerably short period of time, more specifically less than three years.

The Different Phases of IOP Treatment

Family-based treatment is typically integrated at the intensive outpatient level of care for eating disorder recovery and is conducted within 15-20 treatment sessions.

This usually takes place over a period of one year and is broken down into three separate phases. The phases included in family-based treatment for anorexia include:

1. Weight Restoration
2. Returning control over eating to the adolescent
3. Establishing healthy adolescent identity

Family-Based therapy is something that should be led and conducted by specialized treatment centers and qualified individuals who have been trained in the Maudsley method. If you are interested in learning more about family-based therapy and whether or not this might be appropriate for you and your family, be sure to inquire with your treatment team about this approach for anorexia recovery. If you have an adolescent struggling with anorexia, family-based therapy may be an option to consider for healing and restoration.

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References:

1. Maudsley Parents, “Family-Based Treatment of Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa: The Maudsley Approach”. http://www.maudsleyparents.org/whatismaudsley.html
2. Eisler, I., Dare, C., Russell, G. F. M., Szmukler, G. I., Le Grange, D., and E. Dodge. 1997. Family and individual therapy in anorexia nervosa: A five-year follow-up. Archives of General Psychiatry, 54, 1025-1030.

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Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC

Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing,

As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH and nutrition private practice.

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The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective on eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer a discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Published July 22nd, 2015, on EatingDisorderHope.com
Reviewed & Updated on June 5, 2019, by Jacquelyn Ekern MS, LPC