Is your child struggling with an eating disorder?
Online Family Based Treatment (FBT) for children/teens with eating disorders
What is FBT?
Family Based Treatment, more commonly referred to as “FBT”, is one of the most well-researched and commonly recommended treatments for children and teens with eating disorders (e.g., Anorexia, OSFED, Bulimia). FBT uses a parent-empowerment model to support parents in re-feeding their child and disrupting the harmful behaviours that maintain the eating disorder (e.g., excessive exercise, purging, etc). Research suggests that youth can successfully re-gain weight doing FBT virtually and families are satisfied with FBT delivered in this format (Couturier et al., 2023).
Phase 1
Re-nourishing the body
parents support their child in increasing the frequency of meals/snacks and portion sizes
reduce excessive exercise
interrupt other symptoms (e.g., purging)
FBT has 3 Phases
Phase 2
Learning to eat independently
parents help youth learn to feed themselves appropriate amounts and without monitoring
youth work on eating socially and more flexibly
Phase 3
Building a life without the ED
learning skills to manage any underlying or comorbid mental health difficulties (e.g., anxiety)
improve relationships
identifying values and engaging in actions that align with these
Learn more about FBT here
How many sessions will we need?
FBT usually involves 20 or more sessions over the course of a year. Depending on a child’s age and family dynamics, some families will meet all together for each session and others may meet with the therapist in different constellations (e.g., parent(s)-only for part of a session or youth-only for part of a session).
What about medical monitoring?
Eating disorders can have significant impacts on your physical/medical well-being, especially in the case of anorexia. In order to maintain your safety and ensure that we are helping you to heal your body and grow, we require that all clients be followed regularly by a family physician or nurse practitioner. We will also seek your consent to regularly communicate with your medical provider to provide a team-based approach to your care.
Where can I find an FBT Therapist?
At the Ontario-Wide Psychology Clinic, we have a number of therapists who are trained in FBT (Family Based Treatment). We offer FBT virtually to families across Ontario who have a youth struggling with an eating disorder. Please note that you must be physically present in Ontario for your appointment. Unfortunately, we cannot see you when you, for example, are away on holiday outside of the province as psychologists and social workers are licensed provincially.
With online therapy, you can skip the commute and save on gas!
Our mental health services are covered by most extended health benefits.
We have short wait-times and offer some evening/after-school appointments
Get Started in 3 Easy Steps!
Step 1: Browse our therapists’ profiles OR connect with our Intake Team to find the perfect therapist for you!
Step 2: Book an appointment
Step 3: Complete the digital intake forms (we email these to you along with a link to access your first appointment).
Questions?
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or email us to learn more and get started!
Our fees are outlined here .