CEED 2025 Webinar: Supporting Clinicians in Managing Adolescent Violence in the Context of Eating Disorder Treatment

Eating disorder treatment, such as family-based treatment, can lead to a temporary increase in distress for the adolescent and family early in treatment. It is not uncommon for this distress to be expressed through uncharacteristic violence or aggression. Adolescent violence in the context of eating disorders differs to broader constructs of family violence.  

Experience in practice, and discussion with public-sector services, suggests that adolescent violence is an increasing concern for families and clinicians participating in eating disorder treatment. Families often experience shame about the emergence of adolescent violence, which may prevent disclosure to their treatment team. Concurrently, clinicians and services often feel unclear about how to assess and support the young person and family when adolescent violence and aggression occur within an eating disorder treatment framework. This can lead to increased risk in the home, as well as hopelessness and low parental self-efficacy. 

This webinar and accompanying resources aim to promote effective response and management of high distress and adolescent violence in the context of treatment.  

Intended Learning Outcomes 

Following this webinar attendees will have: 

• An understanding of adolescent violence and aggression in the context of eating disorder treatment. 

• Awareness of determinants, protective factors and impacts for young people, families and supports. 

• Knowledge of assessment, including risk management and crisis response. 

• Consideration of engagement and upskilling of young people, families and supports. 

• Increased capacity for effective individual and broader systemic response. 

• Consideration of treatment modality and modifications to promote safety. 

Who is this webinar targeted to? 

This webinar has been developed for eating disorder clinicians with a background knowledge of eating disorder treatment.