When a patient is undergoing treatment for an eating disorder, family members often feel isolated, scared, and confused. At Princeton Center for Eating Disorders, multifamily groups provide the opportunity for families to share their experiences and learn from each other—a unique type of support that can be vital to recovery.
“Just knowing that others are going through a similar experience provides comfort and helps minimize any feelings of shame or isolation that may be associated with a loved one having an eating disorder,” explains Lisa Burditt, LPC, a therapist who administers the multifamily groups. “The groups provide insight into a loved one’s illness, and this broader understanding helps improve outcomes.”
Offering psychoeducation and support, multifamily groups are held on Sundays and include:
- A group for family members and loved ones of all patients, joined by patients ages 18 and older. This group covers a discussion topic that can range from the etiology of eating disorders to post-discharge resources.
- A group for family members and loved ones of adult patients, without patients present. This format gives attendees the opportunity to voice questions they may be uncomfortable asking with their loved one present.
- A group for family members and loved ones of child or adolescent patients, without patients present. The group covers a broad range of topics, including how to support siblings of patients with eating disorders.
In addition to sharing knowledge, multifamily groups cover expectations for treatment and provide guidance and information on how families can help maintain progress and sustain recovery after discharge.
“When new families enter a multifamily group, they are usually in crisis phase,” says Burditt. “Hearing from families and patients who have sustained meaningful progress gives them hope. Those who are farther along in the journey pay it forward by helping others. It’s a very empowering, compassionate experience.”
Princeton Center for Eating Disorders also provides more individualized support through weekly family therapy sessions attended by each patient and his or her family or loved ones.
“With an eating disorder, the entire family is in recovery along with the patient,” adds Allison Lansky, EdS, LMFT, CEDS, NCC, Lead Senior Primary Therapist at Princeton Center for Eating Disorders. “Multifamily groups offer validation, empathy, and an opportunity to hear common threads of information from new perspectives. This insight can lead to more effective communication, interaction, and recovery progress.”
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“Multifamily groups offer validation, empathy, and an opportunity to hear common threads of information from new perspectives. This insight can lead to more effective communication, interaction, and recovery progress.” |