Research into Family-based Treatment (FTB)

The most recent issue of Eating Disorders Recovery Today (Summer 2009, pp. 1, 10-11) contains an article by Nancy Matsumoto, author and blogger on eating disorders, that outlines the progress family-based treatment (FTB) has made in being recognized as the most effective treatment method for eating disorders in children. As Ms. Matsumoto notes FTB was developed out of the ground-breaking Maudsley method, which refused to blame parents and children for what is a devastating biological illness, instead seeing the family as the crucial basis for successful treatment. The article goes on to mention Kartini Clinic's use of a structured family meal plan as an example of the evolution of Maudsley into a more comprehensive and effective system specifically targeting issues around the preparation and consumption of family meals. Other programs such as UCSD's Eating Disorder Research and Treatment are also cited. Dr. Walter Kaye, director of the UCSD program notes that "[m]ost people don't have a Maudsley therapist in their backyard. They often don't have anyone around who is an expert in treating anorexia." While many medical and psychological individual providers, as well as a large number of facilities, tout themselves as "experts", they are in fact not familiar with or do not practice FBT. Substantial clinical evidence suggests that substitutes should not be considered as effective. For a list of other qualified Maudsley practitioners, please see the F.E.A.S.T. web site.