My Family is Back

My Family is Back challenges conventional methods of eating disorder care by explaining the effectiveness of Multi-Family Therapy (MFT) in helping children recover from anorexia nervosa.

June Alexander, PhD, is an Australian writer whose life and career have been shaped by her experience with anorexia nervosa, which began at age 11. Her PhD investigates diary writing as a therapeutic tool for eating disorders. Ivan Eisler, PhD, is Emeritus Professor of Family Psychology and Family Therapy at King's College, London. He is also honorary Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the Maudsley Centre for Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders in London. Julian Baudinet, PhD, is Joint Head and Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the Maudsley Centre for Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders. He is also an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychological Medicine at King's College London.

Introduction Section 1: Understanding Eating Disorders and Multi-Family Therapy 1. Understanding Eating Disorders 2. Understanding Multi-Family Therapy Section 2: Our Stories - Families with Experience of Multi-Family Therapy Introduction 1. The Importance of Being Treated with Respect (REBEKAH) 2. Everyone in the Family has a Role in Recovery (NATALIE) 3. When Dad is the Primary Carer (DAVE) 4. A Tale of Anorexia, two Mothers and Friendship (LISA and HARRIET) 5. A Job in a Cheese Shop provides a Lesson in Recovery (LYDIA) 6. Reshaping Daughter-Mother Dynamics (MATHILDA) 7. A Mother and Son Can Do This, Too (JAMES) 8. When MFT is the Last in a Long List of Therapies (MILLIE) 9. 'Only I can get Myself out of this Illness' (CASSANDRA) 10. 'There is no Cookie-Cutter for this Illness' (AMY) 11. When 'Doing' with Others makes a Difference (EMILY) 12. The Sparkle behind a Belly Button Piercing (AMELIA) 13. 'I am not my Mother; I'm Me' (CHAROLETTE) 14. Understanding the Illness helps Mother take Charge (DIANA) 15. The Getting of Communication Skills leads to Breakthrough (SAMANTHA) 16. Creating a Caring Environment at Home to Support Recovery (EMMA) 17. 'Oh, my Sister does that, too' (EVA) 18. 'Can I have some Fries, Mummy?' (CATHERINE) 19. Anorexia does not care who you are or where you are (SHIRA) 20. The Family Stories - Reflecting on inspiring Lessons Section 3: What Are Parents To Do? 1. How to tell if your Child has an Eating Disorder 2. Navigating the Search for Multi-Family Therapy Glossary 1: Abbreviations Glossary 2: FT-ED with GLOSSARY2 FT-ED Umbrella (diagram) Glossary 3: Eating Disorder Focused Family Therapy Manuals