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When Your Teen Has an Eating Disorder: Practical Strategies to Help Your Teen Recover from Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating
If your teen has an eating disorder—such as anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating—you may feel helpless, worried, or uncertain about how you can best support them. That’s why you need real, proven-effective strategies you can use right away. Whether used in conjunction with treatment or on its own, this book offers an evidence-based approach you can use now to help your teen make healthy choices and stay well in body and mind. When Your Teen Has an Eating Disorder will empower you to help your teen using a unique, family-based treatment (FBT) approach. With this guide, you’ll learn to respectfully and lovingly oversee your teen’s nutritional rehabilitation, which includes helping to normalize eating behaviors, managing meals, expanding food flexibility, teaching independent and intuitive eating habits, and using coping strategies and recovery skills to prevent relapse. In addition to helping parents and caregivers, this book is a wonderful resource for mental health professionals, teachers, counselors, and coaches who work with parents of and teens with eating disorders. It clearly outlines the principles of FBT and the process of involving parents collaboratively in treatment. As a parent, feeding your child is a fundamental act of love—it has been from the start! However, when a child is affected by an eating disorder, parents often lose confidence in performing this basic task. This compassionate guide will help you gain the confidence needed to nurture your teen and help them heal.
168 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2018
156 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Muhlheim
3 books3 followersLauren Muhlheim, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist and eating disorders specialist. Muhlheim trained at the Rutgers Eating Disorder Clinic and is certified in family-based treatment by the Training Institute for Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders. She is certified as an eating disorder specialist (CEDS) through the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP) and has worked in a variety of settings, including internationally, and, most recently in private practice where more than 80 percent of her patients present with eating disorders.
Muhlheim conducts workshops and seminars for parents, treatment professionals, graduate students in psychology, and psychiatry residents. She has her own website and blog, she’s the eating disorders expert for Verywell.com, and is clinical director for the eating disorder information website, Mirror-Mirror Eating Disorder. She’s affiliated with a number of eating disorder and psychology organizations and is very active on social media. She has built a solid professional platform around eating disorder recovery using FBT. Currently, she is director of Eating Disorder Therapy LA, a multidisciplinary specialized outpatient eating disorder practice in the heart of Los Angeles, California.
Muhlheim conducts workshops and seminars for parents, treatment professionals, graduate students in psychology, and psychiatry residents. She has her own website and blog, she’s the eating disorders expert for Verywell.com, and is clinical director for the eating disorder information website, Mirror-Mirror Eating Disorder. She’s affiliated with a number of eating disorder and psychology organizations and is very active on social media. She has built a solid professional platform around eating disorder recovery using FBT. Currently, she is director of Eating Disorder Therapy LA, a multidisciplinary specialized outpatient eating disorder practice in the heart of Los Angeles, California.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 28, 2023
Very helpful
My daughter was headed for an eating disorder, and after being brushed off and gaslit by a number of mental health professionals over the course of about 9 months, I found a doctor who took my concerns seriously. Thank God, my daughter had not developed a full blown diagnosable eating disorder, but when the doctor referred me to an eating disorder specialist, that person referred me to this book.
So many of the warning signs were there that I desperately tried to get her team to see, but as was described in the book, I was looked at as the problem. We started family-based therapy and started seeing progress right away.
As the parent, YOU are the expert on your child. If you know in your gut that something isn't right, keep fighting for answers until someone hears you. If you suspect your child has an eating disorder or is headed in that direction, please read this book.
My daughter was headed for an eating disorder, and after being brushed off and gaslit by a number of mental health professionals over the course of about 9 months, I found a doctor who took my concerns seriously. Thank God, my daughter had not developed a full blown diagnosable eating disorder, but when the doctor referred me to an eating disorder specialist, that person referred me to this book.
So many of the warning signs were there that I desperately tried to get her team to see, but as was described in the book, I was looked at as the problem. We started family-based therapy and started seeing progress right away.
As the parent, YOU are the expert on your child. If you know in your gut that something isn't right, keep fighting for answers until someone hears you. If you suspect your child has an eating disorder or is headed in that direction, please read this book.
September 3, 2018
I received an advance copy of this book and read it in an afternoon. This book contains everything I wish I needed to know when my daughter was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. It is written in easy to understand vocabulary and in an orderly format. If you have a child struggling with an eating disorder get this book first and follow all of the advice. My daughter is now in good recovery and just started her freshman year of college and the advice found in this book is what we followed but we had to learn through treatment and online parenting groups. A must read for the parent of a child suffering from ED.
August 29, 2024
This book should have a big red “start here” arrow on it. Unfortunately, a lot of resources and even provider beliefs about EDs are dated and just wrong. This is the book I’d give to any parent beginning this journey - it’s short, actionable, and full of current research and best practices.
February 19, 2026
heavy FBT isn’t my favorite but this is a good guide for what recovery will likely look like for parents yay
June 2, 2023
I cannot recommend this book enough for any parent who thinks their child might be struggling with this.
January 26, 2019
There could be few resources more valuable for parents of a teen with an eating disorder than Lauren Muhlheim’s “When Your Teen has an Eating Disorder”. This book explains in simple language what parents need to know about eating disorders, including warning signs, symptoms, what it feels like to have a disorder and above all, how they can help. Dr Muhlheim presents the rationale behind Family Based Therapy (FBT), normalizes fears and apprehensions experienced by parents whose child is not able to adequately nourish herself, and zooms in on what they can do to help her (or him) overcome her eating disorder. Dangers and the need for medical safety are clearly explained, as well as the need for parents and therapists to be aligned with one another. Dr Muhlheim presents detailed and practical guidelines on target weights, appropriate nutrition, the role of a dietitian if needed, changes in metabolism, weight gain and weight maintenance, using excellent worksheets, real-life examples and solid, evidence-based advice invaluable for parents. The ugly, extreme sides to eating disordered behaviors are not softened, including possible self-harm and suicidal ideation. Hands-on advice is offered on how to face and overcome these and to view the eating disorder and its consequences as external to the child. No symptom is overlooked, and strategies to prevent excessive exercise, restricted food choices, binge eating, purging, excessive self-weighing, food rituals and body checking are proposed. If you are looking for tools for meal planning, food choices, scheduling, weighing procedures, dealing with digestive problems and negative behaviors, and increasing compliance, you will find them, as well as ideas for distraction and the management of what actually happens during mealtimes. Dr Muhlheim does not present general, vague or theoretical guidelines. She goes into detail and troubleshoots, using true-life scenarios. She provides perspective by advising how progress or lack of progress can be gaged, what can be done when problems arise and when a change in approach may be best. The rocky but feasible road to recovery is described and parents learn what to expect and how they can help their teen to gradually increase her flexibility in the realms of food, exercise and even clothing. The final chapters explain when and how responsibility for eating can be gradually handed back to the teen, what recovery looks and feels like and what can be done to prevent relapse. “When your teen has an eating disorder” leaves much room for the autonomy of each family to trust themselves and find what works for them. Above all, it shines compassion. Compassion for the children experiencing the eating disorder and compassion for parents who need to learn the challenging art of keeping calm and confident in the face of their teen’s potentially life-threatening symptoms. A must read when helping your teen through an eating disorder.
December 5, 2022
Good information, but lacking a complete picture of eating disorder recovery in my professional opinion.
I love FBT for empowering the family to heal their child’s eating disorder. This book provides invaluable information to parents to allow them to understand the gravity of an eating disorder and the type of care that needs to go into treating one. I particularly loved the advice given of things to do/not to do during mealtime.
My misgivings about this book and FBT in general include lack of compassion, lack of nuance, lack of focus on psychological healing, potential to traumatize, and the inability to be generalized to families with low socioeconomic status/lack of resources.
The reality is, in order to provide effective treatment to children and teens with eating disorders, we need to focus families, physical health, and nutrition AND support the child’s mental health and individual factors unique to the child and family. This book and FBT support weight restoration first (not simultaneously with psychological healing) and do not address factors that would prevent a family from being able to support three meals + 2-3 snacks per day.
This book can be a good resource in conjunction with mental health treatment for eating disorders.
I love FBT for empowering the family to heal their child’s eating disorder. This book provides invaluable information to parents to allow them to understand the gravity of an eating disorder and the type of care that needs to go into treating one. I particularly loved the advice given of things to do/not to do during mealtime.
My misgivings about this book and FBT in general include lack of compassion, lack of nuance, lack of focus on psychological healing, potential to traumatize, and the inability to be generalized to families with low socioeconomic status/lack of resources.
The reality is, in order to provide effective treatment to children and teens with eating disorders, we need to focus families, physical health, and nutrition AND support the child’s mental health and individual factors unique to the child and family. This book and FBT support weight restoration first (not simultaneously with psychological healing) and do not address factors that would prevent a family from being able to support three meals + 2-3 snacks per day.
This book can be a good resource in conjunction with mental health treatment for eating disorders.
October 31, 2022
Provided good information. While I don’t doubt this method works, this method is geared for a family who has the financial stability for one of the parents to quit work and take on FBT. Unfortunately, not all families have that. Even so, it does have a lot of good information and actions you can take on at home.
June 15, 2023
As a provider, I don't always appreciate language that feels all encompassing, especially when seeking resources that can better support parents/families who are navigating their children's recovery.
This book had helpful information and I appreciate that it is research based, however, I often felt it lacked nuance.
This book had helpful information and I appreciate that it is research based, however, I often felt it lacked nuance.
March 23, 2023
This is a hard review because there are some great points in this, especially about how many therapists simply are not equipped to deal with eating disorders and can actually do damage to both the family and the person dealing with the disorder. However, I don't think this book is in any way realistic for the majority of families. Yes, families should be involved in treatment. Yes, there may need to be more monitoring of food. But some of these ideas are just pipe dreams for people without a lot of money or a lot of family support. Most people can't take a leave of absence from work to be with their child for every meal. Most people can't rely on family members or hired help to do so when they can't. On top of that, becoming the food police for your teen with an eating disorder is potentially extremely damaging. Weigh-ins are problematic in so many ways, too, and there are better ways of monitoring progress than a scale.
I also think this ignores something that is a HUGE elephant in the room. Eating disorders are RARELY the only mental illness a person has. And while this touches on anxiety and depression (which I would argue are present in almost every single person with an eating disorder), and vaguely refers to self-harm (which is also EXTREMELY common in teens with eating disorders. In fact, many of them use food restriction or purging as another form of self-harm), it never even MENTIONS suicidal ideation. This is a huge issue, as many professionals think that suicide is actually the leading cause of death in people with eating disorders , but it is impossible to prove since those numbers aren't tracked. Eating disorders are the second most deadly mental illness (after opioid addiction) and that ONLY counts the deaths directly caused by starvation from anorexia. This does not include cardiac arrest in bulimics, heart attacks in binge eating disorder, suicides of any kind, and ARFID is not counted at all.
The point is that eating disorders usually need a high level of care and treatment. And while parents should be as involved as if their child has cancer or another physical illness, they also cannot take care of everything themselves. Other children and their needs should be considered. The parents' mental health and relationships should be considered. No matter what, this affects the entire family, and sometimes, a higher level of care is the only practical solution.
I also think this ignores something that is a HUGE elephant in the room. Eating disorders are RARELY the only mental illness a person has. And while this touches on anxiety and depression (which I would argue are present in almost every single person with an eating disorder), and vaguely refers to self-harm (which is also EXTREMELY common in teens with eating disorders. In fact, many of them use food restriction or purging as another form of self-harm), it never even MENTIONS suicidal ideation. This is a huge issue, as many professionals think that suicide is actually the leading cause of death in people with eating disorders , but it is impossible to prove since those numbers aren't tracked. Eating disorders are the second most deadly mental illness (after opioid addiction) and that ONLY counts the deaths directly caused by starvation from anorexia. This does not include cardiac arrest in bulimics, heart attacks in binge eating disorder, suicides of any kind, and ARFID is not counted at all.
The point is that eating disorders usually need a high level of care and treatment. And while parents should be as involved as if their child has cancer or another physical illness, they also cannot take care of everything themselves. Other children and their needs should be considered. The parents' mental health and relationships should be considered. No matter what, this affects the entire family, and sometimes, a higher level of care is the only practical solution.
October 25, 2018
“When Your Teen Has an Eating Disorder” has quickly moved to the top of my “Essential Reading List” for parents. It’s an essential tool that is all-encompassing; and one that is especially beneficial for parents to read in the very early stage(s) of treatment. “When Your Teen Has an Eating Disorder: Practical Strategies to Help Your Teen Recovery from Anorexia, Bulimia & Binge Eating” fully embodies its title, and it offers parents the survival guide they need to successfully help themselves and their teen through recovery.
Dr. Lauren Muhlheim’s book is a tremendous asset in Eating Disorder (ED) literature, and it does so with a unique approach to perfectly balance empathy, therapeutic imperativeness, and support. This book provides broad overview and psycho-educational information that is helpful for parents/family members of individuals with any type of eating disorder. Dr. Muhlheim uses her book as a tool to prepare parents, as much as that is possible, for what lies ahead in the daily trenches of fighting against ED. Her experience lends to helpful tips to guide the reader along the way; and her insight reinforces the important reminder that recovery is possible. Throughout her book, Dr. Muhlheim integrates tools and strategies for parents/caregivers to use in a myriad of ways, reinforcing that ED treatment/recovery takes a team. In accordance with my own professional belief, this book recognizes that support for the entire family is essential throughout the treatment and recovery journey. To aid in this area, Dr. Muhlheim identifies and discusses the fears and “common challenges faced by parents” as well as coping strategies to implement as a counterbalance. Taken together, Dr. Lauren Muhlheim’s knowledge, experience, and compassion combine to make this book a user-friendly, invaluable resource for any parent or loved one faced with the fight to overcome their child’s illness.
Stephanie B. Milstein, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist
Eating Disorder Specialist
Dr. Lauren Muhlheim’s book is a tremendous asset in Eating Disorder (ED) literature, and it does so with a unique approach to perfectly balance empathy, therapeutic imperativeness, and support. This book provides broad overview and psycho-educational information that is helpful for parents/family members of individuals with any type of eating disorder. Dr. Muhlheim uses her book as a tool to prepare parents, as much as that is possible, for what lies ahead in the daily trenches of fighting against ED. Her experience lends to helpful tips to guide the reader along the way; and her insight reinforces the important reminder that recovery is possible. Throughout her book, Dr. Muhlheim integrates tools and strategies for parents/caregivers to use in a myriad of ways, reinforcing that ED treatment/recovery takes a team. In accordance with my own professional belief, this book recognizes that support for the entire family is essential throughout the treatment and recovery journey. To aid in this area, Dr. Muhlheim identifies and discusses the fears and “common challenges faced by parents” as well as coping strategies to implement as a counterbalance. Taken together, Dr. Lauren Muhlheim’s knowledge, experience, and compassion combine to make this book a user-friendly, invaluable resource for any parent or loved one faced with the fight to overcome their child’s illness.
Stephanie B. Milstein, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist
Eating Disorder Specialist
September 21, 2018
I can't recommend this book enough. When my daughter got sick, I was living in a foreign country , with a large expat community and no help around. Not all countries offer the clinics, residentials, hospitals , professionals and insurance support the USA offers. In my city, very few mental health services were available, two hours drive there was more help, but it took me two years to find the ONLY EDucated team in the country, in the region. While reading the book I got so excited thinking about all the parents, therapists, paediatricians, general doctors, psychiatrist, gynaecologists, dieticians, nutritionist and friends all over the world who will benefit from such a book.
It is a very clear book, simple and easy to read, a big plus for those whose English is not their first language. It[mm1] guides the reader through Family Based Treatment (FBT), the method which has proved to work and saved lives all over the world regardless the nationality or cultural background.
To empower families is the solution for the majority of mental health cases, but it becomes more relevant and truth when it comes to eating disorders.
This is a book I highly recommend to all professionals and families navigating this terrible journey.
I want to thank Doctor Muhlheim for such a clear book. This book is going to contribute to save lives all over the world. We need to find the way to translate it in to other languages soon.
It is a very clear book, simple and easy to read, a big plus for those whose English is not their first language. It[mm1] guides the reader through Family Based Treatment (FBT), the method which has proved to work and saved lives all over the world regardless the nationality or cultural background.
To empower families is the solution for the majority of mental health cases, but it becomes more relevant and truth when it comes to eating disorders.
This is a book I highly recommend to all professionals and families navigating this terrible journey.
I want to thank Doctor Muhlheim for such a clear book. This book is going to contribute to save lives all over the world. We need to find the way to translate it in to other languages soon.
November 11, 2018
This book is excellent. It is the most practical book that I have read on treating Eating Disorders.
In My Opinion, It is the best book around for a parent starting out, or in the middle of this journey, with their child/adolescent/loved one suffering from an eating disorder.
Unlike many other books, it covers just about every topic in a very practical way.
The book is very up to date with current research, and is very easy to read and understand.
I have no doubt that this book will help many parents treat the disorder effectively at home with FBT, and will save sufferers from chronic illness, and also save lives.
It is very well written , clear, practical and easy to understand.
It is very clear the level of experience and true understanding that Dr Muhlheim has of this illness.
This really is is a must buy.
In My Opinion, It is the best book around for a parent starting out, or in the middle of this journey, with their child/adolescent/loved one suffering from an eating disorder.
Unlike many other books, it covers just about every topic in a very practical way.
The book is very up to date with current research, and is very easy to read and understand.
I have no doubt that this book will help many parents treat the disorder effectively at home with FBT, and will save sufferers from chronic illness, and also save lives.
It is very well written , clear, practical and easy to understand.
It is very clear the level of experience and true understanding that Dr Muhlheim has of this illness.
This really is is a must buy.
September 13, 2018
If you have a child or teen with an eating disorder you MUST GET THIS BOOK NOW! As a clinician who treats children and teens with eating disorders using FBT, I consider this book a godsend for my clients. It is written concisely with respect and compassion without compromising or condescending. Here is everything a parent needs - good current science that grounds strong direction as to what is effective for parents to do to help restore their child's health. Be prepared to have myths busted and get honest, direct guidance as to what actually helps a child recover from these deadly diseases.
May 15, 2021
Very well written and easy to understand. With a newly diagnosed daughter with anorexia this book has been a wealth of knowledge and I can relate to everything so far that has occurred and now have an insight into what the next stages will look like. Thank you so much for writing such a valuable book!
June 3, 2024
This is really the best guidebook for instituting elements of Family-Based-Treatment for AN and other eating disorders. I came to this after a few other books, and this is the one that I had extended family buy so they could help support us on this journey. It's short, focused, full of practical advice, and well researched. I can't recommend it enough.
August 23, 2020
Many insights and helpful strategies presented in organized logical structure
Real practical recommendations and stories to guide tired and desperate parents in time of needs. Best book on the ED subject so far.
Real practical recommendations and stories to guide tired and desperate parents in time of needs. Best book on the ED subject so far.
July 6, 2024
This book is really helpful; I hope to continue to have conversations with my child to assist in full recovery based on what I learned here. The free worksheets are a true boon and I wish I would have had access or the thought to find some of them earlier in our journey.
November 24, 2021
well-written, readable and informative. Very good read.
June 23, 2022
Fantastic book for clinicians and parents alike. I refer to this almost daily in my practice as a dietitian.
August 17, 2022
It is a really good book. It wasn't applicable to my situation but my wife sees a lot of eating disorders and this is a great book for parents or friends of someone who is struggling with that.
January 30, 2023
Quick and easy to understand. Helpful crash course in FBT. Great for caregivers, those supporting caregivers, or professionals wanting to learn the basics of FBT.
February 16, 2023
Helpful tool for therapists-provides techniques to give to parents. Recommend to parents for the same reason, easy and quick read
September 19, 2023
It gives good advice for a family with a tween/teen with an eating disorder.
August 1, 2024
Should be required reading for any adult that want to be of help to anyone suffering from a serious eating disorder.
November 24, 2025
Very practical advice. I appreciated the organization of the book as a spectrum, which helped me focus on the stage that’s currently most relevant.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews