Services for Teens & Families
Counselling/therapy services for teens experiencing disordered eating.
Supporting teens, empowering families.
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Support for Teens & Families
We work with teens who are experiencing eating disorders and their families. When it comes to a teen experiencing disordered eating, early intervention is crucial. We collaborate with both the teen and parents/caregivers to better understand the eating disorder, develop a treatment plan, and provide support every step along the way.
Parents and caregivers are an invaluable resource, providing support, guidance and encouragement throughout the recovery process. Parent involvement in therapy sessions, meal planning, and ongoing monitoring of behaviors can greatly contribute to the success of treatment and long-term recovery.
Concerned your child might be experiencing an eating disorder? Contact us to book an assessment. Signs that a teen may have an eating disorder include noticeable weight loss or fluctuation, preoccupation with food or body image, avoiding social events involving food, making excuses to avoid eating, hiding food, obsessive calorie counting, constant weighing, frequent trips to the bathroom after eating, excessive preoccupation with appearance or body weight, social withdrawal, anxiety or depression, and/or wearing baggy clothing to hide weight loss.
*This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.
Questions Parents and Caregivers Often Ask
Still have questions? Ready to make an appointment? Get in touch with us today.
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During the first session, the therapist will go through a thorough assessment to understand what your child is experiencing, what concerns have come up, and how eating patterns or behaviours may be affecting daily life. It is generally recommended for parents/caregivers to be part of the assessment process, but this can vary depending on individual circumstances.
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Not always. Family involvement is often very important in treatment for children and teens, especially when eating disorder symptoms are affecting nourishment, safety, or daily functioning, but the structure of therapy is not the same for every young person. With older teens, treatment may sometimes include a mix of family sessions and one-on-one counselling depending on age, needs, readiness, and the role caregivers can play in recovery.
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We use research-based approaches based on the needs of the teen and family, including Family-Based Treatment (FBT) and other evidence-based methods that support recovery from eating disorders and disordered eating, such as CBT-E. FBT is one of the most well-supported treatments for adolescents with eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, and it helps families take an active role in supporting recovery at home.
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Family-Based Treatment is an outpatient approach for children and adolescents with eating disorders in which parents or caregivers play an active role in helping their child recover. In the early phase of treatment, caregivers often take more responsibility for meals, structure, and interrupting eating disorder behaviours, while the therapist supports the family with guidance, encouragement, and problem-solving. Phase one of FBT is commonly focused on re-nourishing the adolescent and restoring regular eating patterns.
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It often helps to speak calmly, gently, and directly about what you have noticed, using simple “I” statements rather than blame or criticism. Guidance for parents commonly recommends focusing on concern, curiosity, and care, because a non-judgmental approach can make it easier for a young person to feel safe enough to talk.
You might say something like: “I’ve noticed that eating seems more stressful lately, and I’m concerned about how much this may be affecting you. I care about you, and I want to support you.”
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Support often begins with staying connected, listening carefully, and responding with steadiness rather than panic or shame. Parents and caregivers can play an important role by offering empathy, helping create structure around meals when needed, supporting treatment recommendations, and remembering that recovery often takes time.
Supporting a child with an eating disorder can feel scary and overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our therapists at RecoverED Counselling can help guide and support you and your child through the recovery process.
