A client with an eating disorder is going through behavior family systems therapy (BFST)

Question

The client's therapist is encouraging the parents to take charge of their daughter's eating and is coaching her parents in developing an appropriate behavioral weight program. In what phase of BFST is this family?
A) Assessment
B) Control rationale
C) Weight gain
D) Weight maintenance

Answer 1

Ans: B
Feedback:
In the control rationale phase, the therapist encourages parents to "take charge" of the client's eating and deals with their reactions. The therapist also coaches parents to develop an appropriate behavioral weight program. In the assessment phase, the multidisciplinary team, consisting of dietitian, physician, psychologist, nurse, and other professionals, comes together to coordinate care with the client and family. Team members engage the family in treatment and check the client's weight weekly. They conduct history, behavioral analyses, and social and functional analyses. In the weight gain phase, the therapist begins to refine the weight-gain program and introduces non–food-related issues. He or she begins cognitive therapy interventions (eg, cognitive restructuring). Family psychotherapy and psychoeducation take place. The last phase is weight maintenance, where control over food gradually returns to the client. Team members teach healthy ways of maintaining weight. Family interactions increasingly become the focus of treatment. The therapist fosters client individuation.