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Learn about the importance of family involvement in eating disorder recovery and how we encourage families to be present and supportive from the very beginning of their loved one’s journey at Within.
Alexandra Wilkosz, DSW, LCSW, Director of Family Programming at Within, answers some important questions about family support during eating disorder treatment.
At Within, we prioritize family involvement from the start and offer more family services than any other treatment provider. Before the client connects with an admissions specialist, families are invited to our "Discover Within" group to meet with the clinical team, Director of Family Programming, and Program Manager. We encourage loved ones and family members to participate and learn even before admission.
Families stay connected throughout the admissions process and the entirety of treatment. They can join Programming for Loved Ones, which includes groups designed to help supporters build skills, gain confidence, and foster deeper connections. Family sessions and groups include family therapy, family coaching (with Clinical Leads, Registered Dietitians, and Registered Nurses), and family psychoeducation. Family members can also access an app for updates and to communicate with the treatment team.
We also involve families in discharge planning to ensure a smooth transition and share any safety plans.
At Within, we believe family support is crucial to the recovery process, and we’re committed to including them every step of the way.
Involving family and loved ones in eating disorder treatment can significantly boost recovery. Research shows that family-based interventions can lead to recovery rates of over 80% for adolescents with anorexia.1
Families play a major role by providing emotional and practical support, such as helping with meals and creating a structured, safe environment. Their involvement also lowers the risk of relapse by helping to spot early warning signs and encouraging their loved one to stay in treatment.
Family therapy doesn’t just focus on recovery—it also strengthens communication, resolves conflicts, and builds empathy, helping to repair strained relationships. It helps families understand eating disorders more deeply, giving them the tools they need to support their loved ones in the long term.
Our approach at Within is rooted in emotion-focused family therapy (EFFT) and actively involves families in the recovery process, promoting a more holistic recovery and healthier family dynamics.
Studies also show that family involvement can reduce the likelihood of re-hospitalization by 50%.1 Engaging loved ones in the recovery journey creates lasting, positive changes for both the client and their family.
Families are invited to participate in various groups offered five days a week, providing daily ongoing connection. These groups are optional but highly encouraged as they provide valuable guidance and resources for supporters.
In addition to these group opportunities, individual family sessions typically occur once a week, and partnership meetings occur monthly to ensure continuous engagement and progress.
Outside of these formal connections, we encourage loved ones to reach out and communicate with the entire team at any time. Our goal is to ensure that families feel supported and involved throughout the treatment process, with open lines of communication every step of the way.
We encourage clients to expand their definition of "family" to include any individual who can offer support throughout their recovery. If a client cannot identify a supportive person in their life, our team works closely with them to help develop meaningful connections within the community. This might include connecting with support groups, mentors, or other trusted individuals who can become a consistent source of encouragement.
Building these connections becomes an integral part of their personalized treatment plan, fostering a strong network of care.
At Within, we offer daily groups for loved ones, each designed to provide support and empowerment. Some groups focus on skill-building to strengthen the role of the supporter in the recovery process, while others offer valuable nutrition education. We also have a range of support groups, including one specifically for males supporting individuals in recovery and another for loved ones of those working on overcoming avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).
These groups are an essential part of fostering a strong, supportive environment for both clients and their families.
Disclaimer about "overeating": Within Health hesitatingly uses the word "overeating" because it is the term currently associated with this condition in society, however, we believe it inherently overlooks the various psychological aspects of this condition which are often interconnected with internalized diet culture, and a restrictive mindset about food. For the remainder of this piece, we will therefore be putting "overeating" in quotations to recognize that the diagnosis itself pathologizes behavior that is potentially hardwired and adaptive to a restrictive mindset.
Disclaimer about weight loss drugs: Within does not endorse the use of any weight loss drug or behavior and seeks to provide education on the insidious nature of diet culture. We understand the complex nature of disordered eating and eating disorders and strongly encourage anyone engaging in these behaviors to reach out for help as soon as possible. No statement should be taken as healthcare advice. All healthcare decisions should be made with your individual healthcare provider.
