Eating Disorder Support for Caregivers

Self-Guided Education for Caregivers with a Youth Struggling with an Eating Disorder

The below links serve to support caregivers who are waiting for eating disorder treatment for their youth.

Step 1: EDUCATE yourself on eating disorders

Understanding Eating Disorders in Adolescence

Dr. Peebles on Weight Restoration Goals

Dr. Peebles on Estimated Wellness Weights

Understanding Individualized Wellness Weights

The Body's Response to Adequate Fuel in Anorexia

Understanding Hypermetabolism in Anorexia Recovery

Step 2: FAMILIARIZE yourself with recommended treatment

Parents and Caregivers' Guide: Eating Disorder Treatment

Family-Based Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa

Why Caregiver Involvement is Vital

Other Psychotherapy Options for Eating Disorders

Step 3: STRATEGIZE ways to tackle the eating disorder

Food is Medicine from FEAST

Understanding Weight Restoration 

Stuck and Not Eating - Parents' Meal Support Tips

Help Your Child Eat With Trust, Not logic: The Bungee Jump

Parents and Caregiver's Guide: When Your Child Refuses to Eat

Walking on Eggshells Around and ED

Permission to Parent When Your Child Has an ED

Emotion Focused Support for EDs

Step 4: CONNECT with other caregivers in an online forum or virtual platform

Around the Dinner Table Forum 

ED Virtual Support Group for Parents - SW Ontario (opens email address)

Step 5: BEGIN treatment with an organization or private practitioner

Grand River Hospital (Physician referral only - region of Kitchener-Waterloo. Referral in the website)

CMHA Waterloo-Wellington (Guelph, Cambridge, Kitchener/Waterloo, and surrounding areas)

NEDIC: Private Practices with eating disorder specialization  

Connex: Search “Eating Disorders” to locate your regional OHIP funded program

Recommended Readings:

Help Your Teenager Beat an Eating Disorder and Family-Based Treatment for Eating Disorders Piece by Piece: A Practical Guide for Parents

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: A Guide for Parents and Carers

Skills-based Caring for a Loved One with an Eating Disorder

Sick Enough: A Guide to the Medical Complications of an Eating Disorder

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy: A Transdiagnostic Model for Caregiver-Focused Interventions and What to Say to Kids When Nothing Seems to Work: A Practical Guide for Parents and Caregivers