Family-Based Treatment for Transition-Aged Youth with Anorexia Nervosa

This book provides a comprehensive theoretical, empirical, and clinical account for the use of an adapted form of family-based therapy for transition-aged youth (FBT-TAY) aged 16–25 with anorexia nervosa.

In FBT-TAY, the treatment team prioritizes addressing the young person’s concerns and challenges related to their developmental stage, such as solidifying their identity, educational or vocational aspirations, relationships, and future life goals. Therapy sessions incorporate discussions and interventions that are relevant and meaningful to the young person’s developmental stage while recommending specific ways to appropriately engage parents/caregivers to support the recovery process. The book includes an introduction to FBT-TAY concepts and strategies with a detailed description of each phase of treatment, a review of the available data and scientific support for this intervention, and discussions of FBT-TAY application with patients in post-secondary education from diverse families, those without family involvement, and underserved areas.

This book provides a foundation to clinicians who seek a tailored approach of FBT to fit the needs of their transition-aged patients with anorexia nervosa, in a series of chapters authored by leading experts in FBT-TAY and clinicians in the eating disorder field.