Family Therapy

When an individual is battling an eating disorder, their family is also heavily impacted. At Shoreline, we understand that the family’s role in the treatment process is a vital part of recovery. Additionally, research shows that rates of recovery are significantly higher for individuals whose families participate in the treatment process. We view each individual’s eating disordered behavior as holistic instead of individual, so we make it important to not place blame but to identify contributing factors to the development of the eating disorder, process them, and look for opportunities for change.

Our family therapy program provides education, advocacy, and therapy for the family members of our clients. Upon admission, each client meets with their family therapist to establish family and relationship goals, identify family members, and to learn more about their childhood, past relationships, and their eating disorder behavior. The family therapist then calls the individuals that the client has identified as their support system for an introduction to family therapy and sets up the first family session via telephone, Zoom, or in person. It’s vital to have someone other than the client provide their perspective of the presenting problem(s) to aid in treatment planning.

Shoreline also offers a Parent Support Group for parents to ask questions, interact with our Clinical Practice Director, and talk with other parents who are in a similar situation.