Multi-Family Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa

Mima Simic is Joint Head at the Maudsley Centre for Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders and a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. She is an internationally recognised expert and trainer in the field of child and adolescent eating disorders.Julian Baudinet is a Principal Clinical Psychologist with expertise in family therapy and multi-family therapy for adolescents with eating disorders. Alongside his clinical work he is actively involved in treatment and service development, research, teaching and training.Esther Blessitt is a Principal Systemic Psychotherapist and a team manager in the Maudsley outpatient treatment team. Alongside her clinical work Esther also trains others in the Maudsley eating disorders treatment models.Andrew Wallis is a Clinical Social Worker and Family Therapist who has worked with adolescents and families for more than 25 years. In 2012 he introduced Multi-Family Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa at Sydney Children’s Hospital Network. Andrew provides family therapy training, clinical supervision and consultation to services across Australasia. Ivan Eisler is Professor of Family Psychology and Family Therapy at King’s College London. He is known internationally as a leading developer, researcher and trainer of evidence-based psychotherapies for eating disorders. Ivan has received a number of awards including Academy for Eating Disorders Outstanding Clinician Award, BEAT Lifetime Achievement Award and American Family Therapy Academy Distinguished Contribution to Family Research.

'Based on unique clinical experience, this comprehensive guide brilliantly sets out the concepts and techniques of the multi-family therapy approach and it also provides a most welcome and detailed pragmatic advice on how to use innovative group activities – an absolute MUST for anyone working with eating disordered children, adolescents and their families.'Eia Asen, MD, FRCPsych, Consultant Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist, Anna Freud Centre and Visiting Professor, University College, London'In this treatment manual, this eminent group of authors – internationally recognized experts on eating disorders and multi-family therapy – has created an extremely rich clinical resource that will be invaluable to clinicians. Grounded in research and theory on eating disorders and group therapy, it includes a description of the background and structure of multi-family therapy followed by a comprehensive outline of specific group interventions with enough detail to allow for replication in various clinical settings. The publication of this book will facilitate dissemination of this important therapeutic approach and will open the doors to essential research on this useful and effective intervention.' Renee D. Rienecke, PHD, FAED, Director of Research, Eating Recovery Center/Pathlight Mood and Anxiety Centers and Associate Professor, Northwestern University'This outstanding manual has been written by leaders in family therapy for anorexia nervosa. It offers new and effective advances in treatment for this disorder. It should be on the bookshelves of every practitioner in the eating disorders field.'Walter H. Kaye, MD, FAED, Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego and Interim Co-Director of the Clinical Division. Founder and Executive Director, UCSD Eating Disorder Research and Treatment Program 'The seasoned team from the Maudsley Hospital have put together a comprehensive treatment manual to guide clinicians in multi-family therapy for anorexia nervosa. This manual embodies work that was first pioneered by Professor Eisler and colleagues several decades ago now and represents the deliberate and thoughtful clinical steps that have been honed over decades of their work in this domain. This manual deserves a special spot on the book shelve of every clinician and educator of family therapy for anorexia nervosa.'Daniel Le Grange, PhD, FAED, Benioff UCSF Professor in Children's Health, Director, Eating Disorders Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco

• Part I: Theory, structure and techniques; 1 What is multi-family therapy?; 2. Who can benefit from MFT-AN?; 3. MFT-AN theoretical concepts; 4. MFT context and mechanisms of change; 5. MFT-AN structure and content; 6. The MFT treating team; 7. Managing process and group facilitation; 8. Therapeutic techniques; 9. MFT meals; 10. Effectively managing and containing the group process; 11. MFT troubleshooting and managing risk; Part II: MFT activities; 12. How to use activities in MFT-AN; 13. Four-day intensive workshop: the activities; 14. Follow-up days and exercises