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Bodies in Balance™ Families in Balance™ Lives In Balance™
Maudsley-based treatment program Presentations
Maudsley-based treatment program:
This program is based upon the “Maudsley Method”,
an evidenced-based approach that has been used in Great Britain
for over 20 years. The outcome data for this approach is better
than that of any other researched approach (for anorexic children
who still live with at least one parent).
This approach respects the importance and positive influence parents
have upon their children. The parents are seen as the best source
of change for the child, and supported in their efforts to re-feed
the patient.
The basic tenants of this approach are:
- Rather than assume that the parents are the source of their
child’s anorexia, it involves parents closely in the treatment
of their child, and sees them as key to the child’s recovery.
- Rather than assume that in order to recover from an eating disorder, the patient
must CHOSE to eat; it assumes that the patient is unable to
chose to eat. The choice to eat is non-negotiable and must be
taken over by the parents until the child is nourished enough
to resume control over eating.
- Food is medicine, and normal eating is seen as the first-line
treatment, as opposed to a long-range goal.
Requirements:
- Parents must agree to 20 consecutive sessions. This is of
utmost importance for treatment success. Consistency is imperative.
- Treatment must take priority over normal life schedules. The
parents’ commitment to treatment should reflect to the
patient that eating is THE priority.
- Given the above, patients will be billed regardless of attendance.
If attendance is deemed inadequate for successful resolution
of symptoms by the treatment team, the patient will be terminated
from the group. The team will then make treatment recommendations
based upon the needs and circumstances of the patient and his/her
family.
- Re-feeding must be closely monitored by a physician who is
willing to be very involved in monitoring the patient’s
medical status. The Boswell Center has excellent relationships
with many pediatricians in Jacksonville who accept a wide range
of insurance plans. In the case that your pediatrician is unable
to monitor the patient to the extent that we deem necessary,
the Boswell Center will facilitate an appropriate referral.
- Parents provide the meals for their child. This meal should
be based upon the dietician’s guidelines (which will be
easy to follow).
Who is a good candidate for this treatment?
- Anorexic patients who are still of minor age (still under
the legal and financial control of parents or guardians).
- Parents who are willing to assume responsibility for re-feeding
their anorexic child (i.e., willing to be the “bad guy”).
- Parents who are willing/able to significantly re-structure
their lives in order to make this treatment a priority.
Adult anorexic patients, Purging Type Anorexic patients, and those
without consistent parental support are not good candidates for
this particular form of treatment. The Boswell Center provides
excellent individualized treatment for those patients who are
not good candidates for the multi-family group. Please contact
us with any questions.
Fighting Anorexia: No One to Blame
The age of their youngest patients has slipped to 9 years old, and doctors have begun to research the roots of this disease. Anorexia is probably hard-wired, the new thinking goes, and the best treatment is a family affair... Complete MSNBC Article
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