Family Based Treatment for Eating Disorders

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Supporting Children and Adolescents in recovery

Family Based Treatment (FBT) is an evidence-based approach for supporting children and adolescents with eating disorders. It recognizes families as a powerful resource in recovery and places caregivers at the centre of helping their child heal—while being guided and supported by a specialized care team.

At Sööma, we strongly believe in a multidisciplinary approach to eating disorder treatment. Family Based Treatment is offered in a compassionate, non-blaming, and collaborative way that honours each family’s strengths, values, and lived experience.

Work with a Specialized Dietitian

What is Family Based Treatment?

Family Based Treatment (also known as the Maudsley Method) is a structured, short-term therapy model most commonly used for children and adolescents with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, atypical anorexia, and other restrictive eating disorders.

Rather than focusing on the “why” of the eating disorder, FBT prioritizes restoring nutrition, supporting medical stability, and gradually returning control over eating back to the young person. Caregivers are actively involved throughout the process and are supported in taking on a central role in recovery.

FBT views the eating disorder as separate from the child and emphasizes that caregivers are not the cause of the illness, but an essential part of the solution.

How FBT Works

Family Based Treatment typically unfolds in three phases:

Caregivers take an active role in ensuring their child is eating enough to support physical, emotional, and cognitive healing. The treatment team provides guidance, education, and support to help families navigate meals, distress, and eating disorder behaviours with clarity and confidence.

As nutrition becomes more consistent and health improves, responsibility for eating is gradually and thoughtfully handed back to the child or adolescent—at a pace that prioritizes safety, trust, and ongoing support.

Once nutrition is stabilized, FBT focuses on broader developmental needs, strengthening relationships, and supporting families as they move forward beyond the eating disorder.

Schedule an appointment with a team trained in fBT

Who is FBT For?

Family Based Treatment May be a good fit for:

  • Children and adolescents living at home
  • Families who are able and willing to participate actively in treatment
  • Restrictive eating disorders and early-stage bulimia nervosa
  • Situations where caregiver involvement can play a central role in recovery

FBT can be adapted to reflect different family structures, cultures, and identities. There is no “one right way” to be a family.

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Sooma nutrition - Disordered Eating & Dieting 2

What FBT Looks Like at Sööma

At Sööma, Family Based Treatment is offered through a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach that may include:

  • Family-based psychotherapy
  • Family Based Treatment–informed nutrition counselling
  • Ongoing caregiver education and support
  • Collaboration with medical providers when appropriate

Our team works closely together to support both the physical and psychological aspects of recovery. As with all of our services, our approach is trauma-informed, weight-inclusive, and grounded in respect, autonomy, and non-judgement.

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Family Based Treatment–Informed Nutrition Counselling

Our team of registered dietitians has received specialized training in Family Based Treatment through the Train 2 Treat Institute and with James Lock, one of the developers of the FBT model. This advanced training allows our dietitians to support families in a way that is fully aligned with FBT principles and the broader treatment team.

Family Based Treatment–informed nutrition counselling focuses on supporting caregivers to restore nutrition and respond to eating disorder behaviours with confidence and consistency. Sessions are collaborative and practical, offering education, troubleshooting, and reassurance while centring parents and caregivers as the primary support system. As recovery progresses, nutrition counselling also supports the gradual and supported return of autonomy around eating.

Schedule an appointment with a dietitian trained in fBT

How FBT-Informed Nutrition Counselling Differs from Individual Nutrition Counselling

Family Based Treatment–informed nutrition counselling differs from individual nutrition counselling in both structure and focus. In this model, dietitians do not set a usual body weight, prescribe meal plans, or provide directive instructions to the child or adolescent. Instead, dietitians act as facilitators—supporting caregivers to trust themselves in the re-feeding process, strengthening confidence around meals, and helping families respond to challenges as they arise.

Dietitians are most often involved during Phase 1 and Phase 2 of FBT, where nutrition restoration and the gradual return of autonomy are central. Phase 3 work, which focuses on broader family dynamics, identity development, and relational patterns, is typically led by a therapist due to the therapeutic framework required.

Throughout treatment, dietitians collaborate closely with therapists, allowing space for caregivers and/or the young person to receive therapeutic support alongside nutrition care. This integrated approach ensures families feel supported both practically and emotionally throughout recovery.

Work with a Specialized Dietitian

a team that is here to support you

Supporting a child through an eating disorder can feel overwhelming, confusing, and at times isolating. Family Based Treatment is not about being a “perfect” caregiver—it’s about being supported as you navigate something that is often very challenging.

We work alongside families to create space for questions, uncertainty, and learning, while offering guidance that helps you feel more steady and supported over time.

Contact us to see if this approach is the right fit
Schedule an appointment with our team
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