Family-Based Treatment – also called FBT or “the Maudsley method” – is an intensive outpatient treatment focused on empowering parents or caregivers in the critical job of feeding and helping their child/teen restore weight. FBT’s goal is an eventual transition of control back to the child/teen when they are ready. FBT allows continued engagement in school and home life. It is time and cost efficient and, of course, spares the patient of the upheaval of a hospital stay.

Columbus Park’s FBT program is spearheaded by our Founder and Clinical Director, Melissa Gerson, LCSW, who is a Certified Family-Based Treatment Therapist. Research has demonstrated that FBT is more effective for treating Anorexia Nervosa (AN) than any other intervention for patients under 18 years old. FBT has shown recent promise as the leading treatment for adolescent bulimia as well.