Our Family Program

One of the primary components of the Mirasol eating disorder treatment program is our required Family Program. Disordered eating patterns deeply affect personal relationships and families, resulting in high levels of tension and stress and even exacerbating whatever difficulties may have existed before. Problems of excess weight, bulimia nervosa , anorexia nervosa, and the underlying psychological issues affect every member of the family.

Family therapy provides a supportive experience as therapists help relatives and friends understand the disorder and its relationship to them. They also learn how a family member may be unintentionally supporting the disorder. It is crucial for families to learn to respond appropriately to client behavior changes during and after treatment.

This program is designed to help all — significant others, spouses, or family members — develop honest and balanced relationships with one another. Participants attend lectures and group sessions that explore their roles in relationships with the client, resulting in healthier interactions, healing, and enhanced intimacy. Family members learn what they can do to help, how to open up lines of communication, illuminate what role eating disorders serve within the family system, how to set boundaries and limits, and how to deal with their own feelings of guilt, anger, shame and helplessness. Family members learn that they cannot do much to change or control a person's eating behavior, but there are many things they can do to develop a new kind of intimacy, respect and relationship with their loved ones.

Family members typically attend the family program regardless of their state or country of origin.