![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 …
![The College Transition [Image description: a young Black woman packs a suitcase for college] Represents a potential college student with a history of an eating disorder](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/pexels-gabby-k-53309821-683x1024.jpg)
The College Transition The day is finally approaching. You’ve gotten through college admissions tests, completed your applications, waited patiently for acceptances, and chosen your school. You’ve gone to prom. You are looking forward to finally being more independent and living away from home. You are learning about your roommate(s) and thinking about the classes you’ll …
![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 …
![Medical Clearance for Outpatient Eating Disorder Therapy in Los Angeles, CA [image description: the arm of a patient having her blood pressure taken by a health professional representing a potential person in California receiving treatment for an eating disorder]](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/cdc-oi6jf34bQrU-unsplash.jpg)
Learn about medical stability and why we are concerned about it. When you contact us to schedule an appointment for yourself or your loved one, our program manager will gather some information that helps determine whether you (or they) need an immediate medical screening and whether the therapy we provide is likely to be effective. …
![Early morning eating disorder therapy in California [Image description: a woman sits in bed drinking her coffee] illustrating a potential client drinking coffee during her early morning therapy session in California]](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/bodyliberationstock-89526-2-1024x683.jpeg)
Rise and Shine! Start your day in California with an early morning virtual psychotherapy session at 6 am, 7 am, or 8 am If you are struggling with an eating disorder, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, OSFED, ARFID, or atypical anorexia, we know scheduling can be tough. We are aware that it is difficult …
![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 …
![Meal Support for Eating Disorder Recovery [Image description: the back of a female eating in front of a computer screen] Represents a possible person seeking online meal support for eating disorder recovery in Los Angeles, California](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DALL·E-2023-02-20-16.30.36-a-photo-of-the-back-of-a-person-wearing-violet-clothing-who-is-seated-and-looking-at-their-computer-with-other-people-eating-on-zoom-while-eating-with-2-1024x1024.png)
Eating disorders are complex and challenging conditions that usually require a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. Regardless of the therapeutic approach and level of care, meal support can be an essential component of eating disorder recovery. Meal support can be beneficial for people of all ages with any eating disorder, including anorexia nervosa, atypical anorexia, bulimia …