Early Intervention & Treatment = Positive Outcome
Congratulations on your decision to seek resources and/or treatment for your child or teen.
Learning that your child is struggling with a potential eating disorder or body-image issue can be both frightening and daunting for a parent. We commend you for acting quickly and for looking into treatment options for your child or teen.
Research consistently indicates that early intervention and treatment is a strong predictor of a positive treatment outcome. Therefore, whether seeking therapeutic and nutritional services at A New Beginning or another eating disorder specialty treatment facility, we encourage you to engage in early and specialized care.
Eating Disorder Trends: Younger Children & Teens
It is a sad reality, consistently cited in recent research statistics and seen within our A New Beginning treatment center, that there is a growing trend toward the development and diagnosis of eating disorders in increasingly younger children and boys.
Historically, eating disorders most typically affected teen-aged girls, aged 13-17 years old. In recent years, however, the average age of onset for an eating disorder has decreased to an average age of 9-13 years old.
Exposure to dieting, social media, and pre-adolescent pressure to be “attractive and thin,” is trickling down to vulnerable pre-teens and children, as well as to young boys.
If your child is displaying signs of an eating disorder or dieting behavior, we suggest scheduling an assessment with a mental health professional who can determine if this problematic behavior warrants a formal diagnosis of an eating disorder and/or needs treatment. Luckily, early treatment is the best predictor of a complete and lasting full recovery from all eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder).
Family Involvement for Effective Treatment
Family involvement is an important component of a positive treatment outcome.
A New Beginning supports fully a family’s need to have active and knowledgeable input regarding the care and treatment of their adolescent and/or child.
As a result, our treatment team requests that families of children aged 16 years and under engage in an appropriate level of therapeutic involvement which integrates them into their child’s overall treatment experience. A minimum of 3 family therapy sessions is, therefore, an important and required component of treatment for anyone 16 years and younger. The exact structure and format of these 3 family sessions will be individually recommended and discussed as part of your child’s treatment plan.
Comprehensive Treatment Options: Anorexia & Bulimia
As part of your child’s comprehensive treatment, our eating disorder team may utilize one or more of the following research-based therapeutic techniques to help your child successfully overcome their disordered eating:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
- RO-DBT Skills
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Family-Based Treatment (FBT) / Maudsley
- Experiential / Expressive Therapy
- Family-of-Origin / Bowenian Therapy
- EMDR
- Group Therapy
- Couple and/or Family Therapy
- Nutrition Therapy
A Parent’s Greatest Gift: Giving Positive Messaging Regarding Body & Weight
Thank you for trusting our team with your most precious family member! We value immensely your confidence in our treatment, kindness and care.
Nutrition Therapy for Anorexia & Bulimia: Kids & Teens
There is nothing more frightening than watching your child’s weight drop significantly or discovering that your child is engaging in some form(s) of eating disordered behavior.
Horrified, you attempt to get your child’s eating behavior back “on track,” only to come up against significant resistance and/or the denial that characterizes the complex and confusing eating disorders called “anorexia” and “bulimia.”
Nutrition Therapy: Imperative for Successful Eating Disorder Treatment
Because eating disorders are a psychological illness that also affects the health of your body, we have found it imperative to include nutrition therapy as part of your child’s effective treatment plan for anorexia and/or bulimia.
Especially for children and teens who are in the active process of growing, proper nutritional care is an important part of a successful and responsible treatment plan. A New Beginning’s team of nutrition specialists take an integrated approach to eating disorder treatment and will, therefore, communicate regularly with your child’s pediatrician and/or psychotherapist for a comprehensive approach to your child’s treatment.
Family Involvement for FULL Recovery & Success!
A New Beginning recognizes the significant role that family’s play in setting the nature and tone of food-related values, beliefs and behaviors. That is why we believe that a healthy amount of engagement and 
support in your child’s treatment by family members is an imperative part of your child’s successful eating disorder treatment,
Family members, as a result, are encouraged to ask questions, participate is sessions, and to learn how to best support your child’s eating disorder recovery process.
Nutrition Behaviors & Skills for Successful Recovery
At A New Beginning, we utilize a vast amount of fun, creative and successful skill-building services that will result in your child’s ability to approach food in a manner which will ultimately make your child healthier from a mind and body perspective.
Here is a brief list of the many treatment areas and services we offer in support of your child and your family:
- Individual Nutrition Counseling for Pediatric Eating Disorders (Anorexia & Bulimia)
- “Atypical” Eating Disorders (ARFID and BED)
- Weight Management and Co-Existing Ttype 2 Diabetes Mellitus
- Type I Diabetes
- Family Guidance and Coaching
- Meal Planning & Personalized Menu Creation
- Real-Time Grocery Shopping Guidance for Family
- Anti-Diet Pediatric Nutrition Support
- Basic and Advanced Nutrition Education
- Nutrition Testing for Metabolic Functioning
- Nutrition Testing for Gastrointestinal Health
- Clinical Expertise for Additional and/or Underlying Health Issues (Gastrointestinal, Food Sensitivities/Allergies, Nutritional Deficiencies)
Change IS Possible
If your child or teen is struggling with an eating disorder, please do not despair! With proper and timely nutritional treatment, FULL recovery can happen:)
Call: 480-941-4247
