In this episode, you'll hear about family-based treatment (FBT) and how parents can play a powerful role in supporting a child or adolescent through eating disorder recovery. You'll get a practical look at what FBT actually involves, what parents can expect throughout the process, and how the dietitian fits into a treatment team.
Joining us is Natalie, an eating disorder dietitian who specializes in eating disorder care and family-based treatment. Natalie earned her Bachelor of Science in General Dietetics from California State University, Chico, completed her dietetic internship at Southern Regional Medical Center, and has experience working across a variety of clinical settings, including an eating disorder treatment center.
In this episode, you'll hear about:
- What family-based treatment (FBT) is and why it can be so effective for adolescent eating disorder recovery.
- How parents can take an active role in their child’s nourishment and recovery.
- The three phases of FBT
- The dietitian’s role in FBT beyond creating meal plans.
- What to do when a child refuses food or tries to negotiate during meals.
- How parents can navigate emotional and challenging mealtimes with confidence and compassion.
- How families can build a support network when parents cannot supervise every meal.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to FBT and its importance
06:06 What is family-based treatment (FBT)?
11:22 Age ranges and applicability of FBT
13:43 Shifting views on blame in FBT
16:33 The phases of manualized FBT
22:25 The dietitian's role in FBT
29:49 Common parent questions and expert answers
42:11 Supporting family communication and beliefs
45:34 Faith-based support and encouragement
46:06 Myth busting: Recovery speed and full recovery
Don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate, and review the show to help reach more people with the message of food freedom!
Work with a Christian food freedom dietitian + use your health insurance: https://maddoxnutrition.co/
Heal with food at your own pace: Purchase the Truth Based Nutrition Self-Paced Course https://maddoxnutrition.co/course
Resources:
For parents and families looking to learn more about FBT, Natalie recommends watching Eva Musby's educational videos, which provide practical information and support for families navigating eating disorder recovery.
Want to work with Natalie?
If you're a parent supporting a child through eating disorder recovery, or you're looking for individualized nutrition support, you can book a session or consultation with her here: Book a session with Natalie
Learn more about Natalie: https://maddoxnutrition.co/meet-natalie
Dietitians and eating disorder professionals: If you're looking to grow your confidence and skills in eating disorder care, Natalie also offers professional consultation for dietitians: Professional Consultation Group