The Use of Family based treatment (FBT) in working with adolescents with anorexia nervosa
Presented by Ann Jacob Smith, PhD, LCPC
Eating disorders (EDs) are the most deadly of all the mental disorders and notoriously one of the most difficult conditions to treat. They are commonly thought to originate during the years around puberty, although clinical studies reveal that the age of onset of EDs can begin as early as the elementary school years. Post-COVID, the US has seen a significant increase in adolescent mental health issues, with the number of ED-related admissions to hospitals and residential programs swelling to all-time highs.
Despite the staggering statistics, there is a growing concern about a lack of specialists trained in the unique issues of individuals with eating disorders. Often, eating disorders remain undiagnosed and untreated, particularly in young people of color, or people who don’t present with a stereotypical body type associated with an eating disorder. As there are relatively few eating disorder specialists in proportion to the staggering need, all mental health providers working with adolescents should be trained on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of EDs as well as having a strong working knowledge of the current cutting edge ED therapies.
While there are many different therapies currently being applied to treat eating disorders for both youth and adults, there is only one evidence-based treatment specifically for young adolescents diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa (AN). Family based treatment (FBT), also known as the “Maudsley method” has been rigorously tested through randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and consistently shown the greatest treatment outcomes for young adolescents with AN. Additional studies show promising results for adolescents with BN and ARFID, as well. Given that young adolescents typically are residing at home, it is critical to understand how to engage family members, both in psychoeducation around the seriousness of an eating disorder and having current knowledge to recommend appropriate treatment recommendations.
This training will go over the warning signs and symptoms of eating disorders and how they show up in young adolescents. Practitioners will also be given a clinical overview of FBT, so that they will understand why it is by far the most advantageous and efficacious treatment for adolescents living with their family of origin.
In this training, clinicians will be able to:
- Recognize the warning signs and symptoms of an eating disorder that might be hijacking mental health treatment..
- Recognize when it is necessary to stop all other mental health treatment and refer an adolescent to FBT.
- Describe why FBT is the treatment model of choice for young adolescents with EDs.
- Describe the phases of treatment in FBT and the clinician’s role in each of the phases.
The Presenter
Dr. Ann Jacob Smith is a LCPC who has been providing services to individuals and families since 1996. She completed her BA in psychology and MS in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a PhD in counseling from The George Washington University.
Prior to private practice, Dr Jacob Smith worked in treatment centers, participated in federal level mental health policy work, conducted behavioral research and taught graduate level courses at Johns Hopkins University and The George Washington University. She is currently the founder and director of The Smith Counseling Group, a center that focuses on individual, group, and family therapy. Her areas of expertise include family-based treatment (FBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-centered psychotherapy, and supervision and training.
Dr Jacob Smith is certified in Advanced Trauma Treatment, a Nationally Certified Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), and in the State of Maryland is an Approved Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Supervisor.
Cost: LCPCM members - $30 / Non-members - $40 ($5.00 fee for all refunds)
CEUs: 2 (10am to 12pm) No partial credit will be given
Registration limited!
Registration will end September 16th at 11:59pm
Zoom link will be emailed to those registered approximately 24 hours prior to class.
Class evaluation and CEU certificate link will be sent on the following Monday (September 23, 2024)
