Family Based Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa (FBT-AN) is recognised as the first line, evidence-based model of care for adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) and atypical AN. FBT has also been adapted to treat those experiencing Bulimia Nervosa and Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). FBT-AN aims to assist the family, namely the parents, to bring about recovery in their child with an eating disorder.

The core principles of FBT-AN are:

1. No one is to blame for the development of the eating disorder
2. The eating disorder is externalised or separated from the sufferer and the eating disorder is targeted to reduce blame and criticism
3. The family are viewed as the best resource to bring about recovery
4. Hospitalisation is a short term solution for the problem
5. Each family member is assigned a specific role

FBT-AN is a specific type of family therapy that incorporates a number of family therapy approaches in a structured way across three specific phases:

PHASE ONE: REFEEDING AND WEIGHT RESTORATION.

The parents are charged with the responsibility of refeeding their child and containing eating disorder behaviours. The clinician coaches the parents to manage problematic eating disorder behaviours and brainstorm barriers to refeeding.

PHASE TWO: RETURNING CONTROL OF EATING TO THE ADOLESCENT.

The parents gradually hand back control of eating to their child whilst managing any lapses. Family issues and relationships are simultaneously addressed as the focus slowly moves away from weight and food.

PHASE THREE: ADDRESSING ADOLESCENT ISSUES AND TREATMENT COMPLETION.

The final stage assumes that the young person is weight restored and in control of their eating behaviours. The focus is on addressing normal adolescent issues and strengthening a sense of identity without the eating disorder.