"Family therapy" sounds like "Family-Based Therapy"

Very important new article available over at the Maudsley Parents site.

Dr. Angela Celio Doyle, of the University of Chicago, has clarified the history and meaning of the term "Maudsley" and how it relates to other terms like "family therapy" and "family-based therapy." And it matters: clinicians and clinics all over the world are starting to say "yes, we offer that" when they do not.

"Family therapy" and "Family-Based Therapy" can actually be opposites: one is about the family being the problem, the other starts with the assumption that the illness is the problem and the family is the solution.

Parents, it is up to us. Ask good questions, listen carefully, and express yourself if it doesn't smell right. The right clinical support can save your child's future and life. The wrong approach - and it is out there...enough said.

Comments

  1. Thanks for pointing this out, Laura. Its really a helpful summation.

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  2. Excellent article - it made me cry tears of frustration at my own failures, but don't worry about that, I'm very tired and VERY easily provoked to tears!, but that's because it gives a very clear description of "Maudsley" as it should be and indeed in our case was used.

    One question I'd have for the Chicago team is around working with medical colleagues. The article says "The therapist will work with a physician to monitor the individual’s physical health" As far as I know this still doesn't happen in many cases in our area as there's no dedicated physician at the outpatient's clinic, and people (both patients and therapists) rely on the patient's own GP who will NOT be a specialist in eating disorders (or paediatrics) and may either know nothing about eating disorders, or actually be against the Maudsley method. What does the therapist do then? Doctors do NOT take kindly to being guided in treatment by nurses or social workers!

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  3. M,

    Do be easy on yourself. This disease sucks no matter what treatment you get, where. It just does.

    Those lucky enough to get the full coordinated team approach are the rare, rare exception. But the hope that it will become the RULE instead is what keeps me going. You are doing a great job supporting b-eat and showing that parents care and that we arent' going away. Keep up the good work, and be easy on yourself!!

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