![Early Intervention with Family-Based Treatment (FBT) for Eating Disorders [Image description: a teen girl sits next to a doctor who is writing notes; depicts a potential teen client with early signs of an eating disorder in California]](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/medium-shot-doctor-writing1-1024x683.jpg)
Originally published on the F.E.A.S.T Blog on August 22, 2014, by Lauren Muhlheim, Psy.D., CEDS, and Therese Waterhous, PhD/RDN Eating Disorders are serious mental illnesses with dangerous medical consequences. Without early intervention, eating disorders may become chronic or even fatal. Parents are often unaware of some of the early signs of an eating disorder. Even …
![Family having dinner and unhappy in FBT [Image description: family of 2 adults and two kids and the teen girl looks very unhappy about eating] Represents a potential family in California doing FBT for their teen's eating disorder](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/pexels-cottonbro-studio-6603140-1024x682.jpg)
In Family-Based Treatment (FBT), we charge families with nourishing their teens back to health through meals at home. Because FBT is a parent empowerment model, parents are often given little specific guidance about how to do this. If you are like other families with whom I’ve worked, now that you understand this important point, you …
![Should you let your teen become vegetarian [Image description: purple scrabble tiles spelling "vegetarian" above a plate with raw vegetables]](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_07351-1024x767.jpg)
By Katie Grubiak, RDN, and Lauren Muhlheim, Psy.D. We acknowledge that vegetarianism can offer benefits for both individuals and the environment. We also recognize that vegetarianism is embedded in some cultures and religions, and most children and teens raised in these cultures thrive. This article does not aim to debate the ethics of vegetarianism. Instead, …
![Return to exercising during FBT for teen eating disorders [Image description: drawing of a teen running on a treadmill] Represents a potential teen undergoing FBT for an eating disorder in Los Angeles, California](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/DALL·E-2023-06-08-19.23.06-a-drawing-of-a-teen-girl-wearing-a-purple-shirt-and-running-on-a-treadmill1.png)
Excessive exercise is often a component of various eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, atypical anorexia, OSFED, and subclinical eating disorders. It is a symptom that affects up to 80% of those with an eating disorder (Quesnel et al., 2023). By expending energy, exercise may contribute to the negative energy balance that may trigger …
![Therapy for ARFID in Children in California [Image description: a boy eating breakfast of cereal and juice and looking unhappy] Represents a potential client receiving counseling for ARFID in California](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Shutterstock_10970257732-1024x683.jpg)
Does My Child Have Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)? For the most part, kids are pickier eaters than adults. If your child is a “picky eater” you may be wondering whether their eating is normal or not. You may have heard about Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) and wonder whether your child might have …
![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)
A common question is whether 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 …
![Supporting Child with Eating Disorder Over Holiday in Los Angeles, California [Image description: photo of a Black family preparing a meal together and all the family members are dressed up] represents a potential family supporting a loved one with an eating disorder during the holidays](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/pexels-august-de-richelieu-4262010.jpg)
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 …
![ARFID Parent Group for parents in any location over Zoom [Image description: purple scrabble tiles spelling: "ARFID Parent Group"]](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/IMG_2732-1024x747.jpg)
We welcome parents of children and teens 10 to 20 with Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) to our virtual support group. Parenting a child or teen with ARFID is challenging. Feeding a child or teen with ARFID is extremely challenging. Meals may feel like a constant struggle. It’s likely you’ve been given conflicting advice …