Family-Based Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa (FBT-AN) is recognised as the first line, evidence-based model of care for adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) and atypical AN. FBT was first developed at the Maudsley Hospital in the UK in the 1980s, with further research conducted in the worldwide and the publication of a treatment manual in the US in the early 2000s.

FBT-AN is a specific type of family therapy that incorporates a number of family therapy approaches in a structured way. The focus is on directly supporting both physical and psychological recovery of the adolescence, within an attachment rich framework. FBT-AN is organised into three phases of treatment. The initial phase of treatment empowers parents to take charge in the nutritional renourishment of their child. In second phase, the adolescence it supported to gradually return to developmentally appropriate independence around food and exercise. The final phases focuses on exploring adolescent issues, and helping both the adolescent and family get back on track with their lives.

Prior knowledge of understanding and assessing eating disorders is assumed.

Jess Ryan is a Clinical Psychologist and Family Therapist with extensive experience of supporting people with of all ages with eating disorders and body image concerns. Jess has a special interest in supporting young people and their families. Jess is employed at the Victorian Centre of Excellence in Eating Disorders (CEED) as a Team Leader. She is passionate about inspiring the eating disorder workforce by supporting access high quality information and research, training and supervision to increase understanding, treatment and prevention of eating disorders, and ultimately provide better access and outcomes for those experiencing eating disorders.