At a glance
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A Comparison of Family Supportive Counseling and Multi-Family Therapy Group for People With Eating Disorders and Their Family Members: A Randomized Controlled Trial
In Brief
A clinical study evaluating Multi-Family Therapy and Supportive Family Therapy for Eating Disorders. Completed, enrolled 117 participants across 1 site.
Detailed Summary
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.
Study Details
Timeline
Interventions
Multi-Family Therapy is conducted once per week over the course of 8 weeks for 1.5 hours per session. Therapy is provided to a minimum of 3 families and a maximum of 6 families with the aid of two to three therapist group leaders. Group topics are set and cover material on eating disorder psychoeducation, care-giving styles, meal support, and relapse prevention.
Supportive Family Therapy is treatment as usual in the eating disorders program at TGH. Families meet independently with a therapist once per week for 1 hour per session. The length of the therapy and the topics of therapy are decided upon collaboratively with the therapist and the family.