Family-Based Treatment (FBT) for Eating Disorders, including ARFID
The Gold Standard for Adolescent Eating Disorder Recovery
Hearing that your child has been diagnosed with an eating disorder is terrifying. The media has shown that eating disorders can lead to despair, medical problems and even death. Traditionally, children and adolescents with eating disorders were treated with little success, using outdated therapy approaches of separating the child from their parents, either in treatment sessions, or even by sending them away to expensive and isolated residential treatment.
FBT isn’t just an effective therapy model—it’s a philosophy rooted in the belief that parents are the most critical resource in a child’s recovery. Waiting for your child to 'choose recovery' or 'find motivation,' is a dangerous mistake that well-meaning parents often make. Unlike any other mental disorders, eating disorders are characterized by a resistance to getting better, even as the disease ravages your child’s mind and body. Many health professionals will insist that your child needs hospitalization or residential treatment to recover from a severe eating disorder. This is simply not true. FBT gives parents tools, knowledge about eating disorders and a clear treatment plan from day one.
If you’re searching for a roadmap that empowers you as a parent and offers your child the single best shot at a lasting recovery, you’re in the right place.
What Is Family-Based Treatment (FBT)?
FBT is an evidence-based, structured therapy designed specifically for adolescents with eating disorders like:
Anorexia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa
Binge Eating Disorder
ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED)
Developed at the Maudsley Hospital in London and supported by decades of research, FBT focuses on externalizing the eating disorder from your child. In other words: the eating disorder is the enemy, not your teen.
We teach families to fight the eating disorder together, using love, structure, and persistence—not blame or shame.
The Core Principles of FBT
Parents Are the Primary Agents of Change
You know your child better than anyone. FBT positions you at the center of recovery, coaching you to manage meals, nutrition, and the anxiety that comes with eating.
A Sense of Urgency
Time matters. The sooner weight and nutrition are restored, the better the cognitive, emotional, and physical outcomes. FBT doesn’t wait for a child to feel ready; it focuses on medical stabilization first, then psychological healing.
No Blame, No Shame
Eating disorders are complex biopsychosocial illnesses—not a product of bad parenting or flawed character. We foster a compassionate, non-judgmental space for both parents and teens.
Collaboration with Medical Professionals
We work hand-in-hand with pediatricians, nutritionists, and psychiatrists to ensure your child is supported from every angle.
The Three Phases of FBT
Phase One: Reclaiming Nutrition and Health
Maybe you were diagnosed with an eating disorder earlier in life but never fully recovered.
Perhaps disordered eating emerged later, triggered by childbirth, stress, loss, menopause or a medical diagnosis.
Or maybe you’ve been privately managing binge eating, purging, or restrictive eating patterns, unsure if they’re “serious enough” to need help.
Phase Three: Adolescent Development and Family Dynamics
With the eating disorder in remission, therapy shifts focus to typical adolescent issues: identity, independence, relationships, and emotional regulation.
We also explore any lingering family dynamics that might undermine ongoing recovery.
Phase Two: Handing Back Control to Your Teen
As your child gains weight and medical stability, they gradually regain autonomy over their eating.
We help families calibrate the pace of this transition, ensuring the teen is ready to take ownership without relapsing.
Why Choose FBT Over Other Therapies?
Evidence in Action
Research consistently shows that adolescents treated with FBT have:
Higher rates of full remission
Lower risk of relapse
Fewer hospitalizations
Stronger family bonds post-recovery
This isn’t just theory. It’s science. And it works.
Is FBT Right for Your Family?
FBT is effective, but it’s not a fit for every situation. It works best when:
The adolescent lives at home.
Parents or caregivers can commit time and energy to meal supervision.
The family is ready to unify around recovery, even when it’s hard.
FBT may not be suitable if:
There is active abuse or significant family conflict.
A parent is struggling with their own active eating disorder.
The child’s medical status is too unstable for outpatient care.
We always assess readiness carefully and will recommend alternative or supplemental treatments if FBT isn't appropriate.
Traditional therapy models often place the burden of recovery on the adolescent—a model that simply doesn’t work when a starved brain is calling the shots. In anorexia, for example, anxiety and distorted thinking are biologically reinforced by malnutrition. Waiting for insight or motivation in that state is like asking someone to run a marathon on an empty tank.
FBT flips this script. Parents don't wait for motivation—they provide nutrition, structure, and support until their child is physically capable of engaging in deeper psychological work.
Our Commitment to You
At Friendship Heights Therapy Group, we walk alongside you every step of the way. Our role isn’t to dictate, but to coach, educate, and support.
With us, you can expect:
Weekly family therapy sessions led by FBT-trained clinicians
Coordination with your child’s medical team
Clear, actionable guidance tailored to your family’s unique dynamics
Honest conversations about progress, setbacks, and next steps
We believe recovery is a family victory. It takes patience, persistence, and yes—sometimes courage you didn’t know you had. But with the right tools and support, full recovery is not just possible—it’s achievable.
Ready to Take the First Step?
If your child is struggling with an eating disorder, don’t wait. The earlier we intervene, the better the outcomes.
📞 Call us: 301‑291‑9044
📧 Email: contact@thesmithcounselinggroup.com
💻 Schedule a confidential consultation online here
Together, we can outlast the eating disorder—one meal, one day, one breakthrough at a time.