Family Therapy and Eating Disorder Treatment

Todd Davis, M.A., LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Selah House Family Therapist

"Powerlessness. Confusion. Ambivalence. These are emotions I have heard many times over as I have sat with families as they attempt to understand their loved one struggling with a disabling eating disorder. Many families and friends feel as if they are shadow boxing an invisible enemy. They hold a million different feelings, or at times, feel nothing at all. Many feel frustration, but they are not sure who or what they should direct their frustration at. Sometimes it vacillates from feeling guilt to feeling utter frustration towards their loved one. Other times, families curse at the skies with an exasperated “Why?!?”

We at the Selah House are committed to working not only with each individual client, but understand that this disorder impacts the entire family system. We feel called and committed to the ministry of reconciliation. It is our hope to build an alliance amongst the client, their family and friends, and the treatment team in order that, together we can name this common enemy and “do battle” against “ED” (the eating disorder) and not each other.

Eating disorders have the ability to ravish family unity. They steal from our family life, love, and unity. They often keep us from real conversation, from the emotional connectedness in our family that we once had and crave.

You are not alone. There is hope. The whole family can recover. We long to not only help your loved one “walk into freedom”, but to help the entire family “walk into freedom” together. "

~Todd Davis

Family Therapy Program at Selah House

Anorexia and Bulimia are strongly related to family functioning and affect every member of the family. Families are directly involved in the resident's eating disorder treatment throughout the stay at Selah House. Our aim with family therapy at Selah is not to focus blame on any one person in the family system, but help families develop understanding and creative ways to grow together and gain freedom and healing.

Family Program Highlights

• Family/couple sessions & individuals for spouses available throughout treatment (phone conferences when needed due to distance). Many programs only offer contact with the family therapist during a few family days.
• Family therapist is involved with clients in their groups throughout treatment to increase cohesiveness.
• Intensive family days at the midpoint of treatment:

• Examine family of origin issues (genogram)
• Examine role of family in ED recovery
• Educational sessions
• List work session (tough love/affirmation, needs/boundaries, forgiveness/reconciliation)
• Family equine therapy
• Family meal/passes

Family Education Information

Food is NOT the Issue
(So what is?)

There are multiple factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of an eating disorder such as anorexia, bulimia or ED NOS. Eating Disorders are an irrational and unhealthy means of pursuing what are rational and healthy goals.

About Eating Disorders

Have you ever wanted to know more about eating disorders? What their symptoms or signs are? Well, now is your chance to learn more.

Guidelines for Family and Friends

Do you have a friend or family member that has an eating disorder? If so, take a look at these guidelines.

Need for Inpatient Treatment

When people are stuggling with an eating disorder, they often wonder if they can handle it alone, if they need outpatient eating disorder counseling or if they need inpatient treatment. In making that determination, it is best to talk with someone who is trained to help and has specific experience in diagnosing and working with anorexia, bulimia and related disorders.

These disorders can be quite complex and have serious, long-term health complications that accompany them. Selah House suggests choosing programming that uses a multi-disciplinary team approach with therapists, registered dietitian, MD, psychiatrist and a family therapist with eating disorder experience. We are Christian based and also believe that the most effective programs deal with spiritual issues as well.

About 70% of those dealing with eating disorders can do well in outpatient counseling. That leaves about 30% who will need help from a professional inpatient eating disorder facility. There are many things to take into consideration when deciding if inpatient care is needed. Some situations that may show a need for inpatient are: a person has been in outpatient care and has not been showing improvement, a medical condition is present due to the disorder, there are complicated family issues to work through, they are self harming, they can not control their restricting or purging behaviors without strong supervision and when there are underlying trauma issues or a secondary diagnosis present.

When in doubt about what type and duration of treatment would be best, get a professional eating disorder assessment done. You can call our treatment center to schedule an assessment at 888-692-0505 or use our contact us form.

Dealing with Insurance Issues

Many struggle with understanding and properly dealing with insurance companies as they seek to get coverage for eating disorder treatment. It is important to first determine what level and duration of treatment is needed through professionals who can assess the needs correctly.

If you understand the process, it is easier to navigate the system more effectively, and therefore you may see treatment covered more often. Educate yourself on how the system works and don't give up when the first person tells you no.

The National Eating Disorders Association has some good information to review. Here are a couple of links that can help with this subject. Click here for educational information called: Navigating and Understanding Insurance Issues. Click here for Sample Letters to Use with Insurance companies.

Connect With a Family Who Has Been at Selah House

If you would like to speak directly with a family member who has had a loved one get eating disorder treatment at Selah House, contact our office at 888-692-0505, and we will connect you. Also, written friends and family testimonials are located on the "testimonials" page along with those of past clients.