There's a rather bruising debate going on at an eating disorder professional listserv right now about Family-Based Maudsley treatment and working with the parents of patients. I find it disheartening and sad when some clinicians resist learning newer ideas - just learning about them - and express defensiveness instead of curiosity.
But then there are moments in my day that remind me that we all have the same goal: better, faster, safer recoveries. I had one of those moments when I read one of the bios just added to the Treatment Directory on the new F.E.A.S.T. site
"I have been in the field of EDs for 15 years. I was trained as a CBT therapist, but have expanded my treatment to include family based treatment. As a result of working with families, I have watched the recovery rates of my patients triple. Working with families is rewarding and extremely effective in treating these deadly illnesses and I am shocked at how few clinicians utilize families in their treatment. Families do make all the difference!"
It's not about making parents feel better. The point of working with parents is to help the patients recover.
But then there are moments in my day that remind me that we all have the same goal: better, faster, safer recoveries. I had one of those moments when I read one of the bios just added to the Treatment Directory on the new F.E.A.S.T. site
"I have been in the field of EDs for 15 years. I was trained as a CBT therapist, but have expanded my treatment to include family based treatment. As a result of working with families, I have watched the recovery rates of my patients triple. Working with families is rewarding and extremely effective in treating these deadly illnesses and I am shocked at how few clinicians utilize families in their treatment. Families do make all the difference!"
It's not about making parents feel better. The point of working with parents is to help the patients recover.