Family Support for Eating Disorders

Eating disorders affect every part of a person’s life — and every member of their family. Research shows that outcomes improve when parents, partners, siblings, and loved ones are engaged in treatment.

At The Emily Program, we help families understand the medical, emotional, and behavioral complexities of eating disorders so they can respond with knowledge, compassion, and confidence.

Our clinicians collaborate closely with families, offering education, counseling, and community support that reduce isolation and foster healing.

Family involvement in treatment helps to:

• Build communication and trust within the home
• Interrupt disordered eating behaviors and patterns
• Promote healthier coping strategies for everyone involved
• Support long-term recovery and relapse prevention

Recovery is a family journey — and your involvement can make all the difference.

It’s natural to want to fix what feels broken — but the most powerful support comes from learning, listening, and staying involved.

Here are a few ways to help a loved one in recovery:

• Educate yourself. Learn about eating disorders, treatment levels, and what recovery looks like.
• Listen with empathy. Avoid judgment or focusing on food, weight, or appearance.
• Participate in therapy. Attend family sessions and treatment meetings whenever possible.
• Model self-care. Your well-being matters, too. Take advantage of support groups and counseling.
• Encourage professional help. Eating disorders are serious medical and mental health conditions that require specialized treatment.

The Emily Program’s Family-Based Treatment (FBT) model, also known as the Maudsley Approach, empowers parents and caregivers to play an active, compassionate role in the recovery process — especially for children, adolescents, and young adults.

We offer a range of free and professional resources to help families better understand and navigate eating disorder recovery:

Eating Disorders 101 (ED 101) — An introductory session covering symptoms, treatment options, and family involvement.

Friends and Family Sessions — Ongoing virtual support groups that connect loved ones navigating recovery together.

Recovery Night Events — Community gatherings featuring education, Q&A, and inspiring stories of healing.

Explore our free family seminars and support groups here.

Support networks make recovery sustainable. We encourage families to connect through The Emily Program’s offerings and partner organizations such as the National Alliance for Eating Disorders, which hosts free, clinician-led virtual groups.

ED 101: Understanding Eating Disorders, Treatment, and Recovery — 2nd Thursday monthly

Friends & Family Sessions — 1st and 3rd Thursday monthly, drop-in welcome

Virtual Support Groups — Led by licensed clinicians across the U.S.
– Friends & Family Support Group (Thursdays, 4pm PT / 7pm ET)
– Mom2Mom Support Group (Tuesdays, 1pm PT / 4pm ET)
– LGBTQ+ and Larger-Body Pro-Recovery Groups (see full schedule online)

These events create safe spaces for learning, sharing, and connecting with others who understand the journey.

We collaborate with national partners and trusted resources to expand support for families:

• National Alliance for Eating Disorders: Free nationwide virtual groups and educational materials.
• The Emily Program Foundation: Advocacy, prevention, and family resources.
• NEDA (National Eating Disorders Association): Helpline, screening tools, and parent education.
• Local Community Partners: Schools, healthcare providers, and faith-based organizations.

Together, these networks build a bridge between treatment, education, and ongoing recovery.