Support for Caregivers
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Inspired by theories of attachment, emotion and neuroscience, Emotion-Focused Family Therapy is a treatment model designed to empower parents and caregivers to take on an active role in their loved one's recovery from an ED via behavior coaching, emotion coaching and relationship repair if relevant. Within the EFFT framework the skills related to each of these modules are referred to as “advanced caregiving skills” as they are not required under typical circumstances and their absence does not trigger the development of an eating disorder. For example, caregivers are provided with scripts and opportunities to practice responses to “I feel fat”; “I don’t want to eat that” and “I don't want help in a way” that is loving and productive. They are also taught techniques to support the transformation of their loved one's shame and self-blame if such emotional processes are interfering with treatment uptake. This type of caregiver involvement can be facilitated regardless of the affected individual’s age, level of motivation or involvement in formal treatment themselves.
The model also involves a module for clinicians to support caregivers toidentify, understand, and transform “emotion blocks” that can lead to therapy-interfering attitudes or behaviors. This final component is critical since throughout the course of treatment, some well-intentioned caregivers can struggle to support their loved one’s treatment. They may even engage in behaviors that enable their loved one’s symptoms out of fear or helplessness for example, creating challenges for the most experienced clinicians. For this reason,he EFFT model includes a module for clinician and team challenges as well.
One of the key strengths of the EFFT approach is that clinicians can guide caregivers to provide home-based support, even when their loved one refuses or is unable to access service. The tools and techniques of EFFT can also be integrated within other treatment modalities, and at various levels of care, to empower both families and treating clinicians.
To learn more about EFFT and if it is right for you, watch the video below!
38s
Inspired by theories of attachment, emotion and neuroscience, Emotion-Focused Family Therapy is a treatment model designed to empower parents and caregivers to take on an active role in their loved one's recovery from an ED via behavior coaching, emotion coaching and relationship repair if relevant. Within the EFFT framework the skills related to each of these modules are referred to as “advanced caregiving skills” as they are not required under typical circumstances and their absence does not trigger the development of an eating disorder. For example, caregivers are provided with scripts and opportunities to practice responses to “I feel fat”; “I don’t want to eat that” and “I don't want help in a way” that is loving and productive. They are also taught techniques to support the transformation of their loved one's shame and self-blame if such emotional processes are interfering with treatment uptake. This type of caregiver involvement can be facilitated regardless of the affected individual’s age, level of motivation or involvement in formal treatment themselves.
The model also involves a module for clinicians to support caregivers toidentify, understand, and transform “emotion blocks” that can lead to therapy-interfering attitudes or behaviors. This final component is critical since throughout the course of treatment, some well-intentioned caregivers can struggle to support their loved one’s treatment. They may even engage in behaviors that enable their loved one’s symptoms out of fear or helplessness for example, creating challenges for the most experienced clinicians. For this reason,he EFFT model includes a module for clinician and team challenges as well.
One of the key strengths of the EFFT approach is that clinicians can guide caregivers to provide home-based support, even when their loved one refuses or is unable to access service. The tools and techniques of EFFT can also be integrated within other treatment modalities, and at various levels of care, to empower both families and treating clinicians.
To learn more about EFFT and if it is right for you, watch the video below!
38s