Multi-Family Group Therapy for Adult Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders are a debilitating and serious mental illness. This illness is associated with medical complications, psychological and social impairment. Families of people with an eating disorder also report that they lack resources and have many unmet needs. Families often have insufficient information regarding the eating disorder, available treatment options and strategies for supporting the person with the illness. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of two different family interventions for people with eating disorders and their family members (parents or partners) receiving treatment either in the inpatient or day treatment Eating Disorder Program at the Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network. Family supportive counseling consists of people with eating disorders and their family members meeting with a family therapist. Multi-family group therapy involves eight to ten families who meet as a group with two therapists. The investigators are conducting a study to assess the differences between these two different family interventions. This study will help us identify who benefits the most from participating in family supportive counseling or multi-family therapy. The investigators are also evaluating which intervention is more effective at helping the person with the eating disorder overcome their illness while helping their family members learn how to support the recovery process. Both family therapy interventions are delivered by experienced family therapy clinicians who work in either the Inpatient or Day Treatment Eating Disorder Program at Toronto General Hospital.