The Maudsley Model of Family Treatment for Anorexia NervosaThe Maudsley Model of Family Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa was first developed in London in the mid-1980s In this model, parents play a primary role in treatment, working together as a team at home to care for their child and address anorexic behavior. Parents are also encouraged to separate the anorexia from the child when performing this task, blaming the anorexia rather than the child and thus minimizing the escalation of expressed emotions (Rhodes, Gosbee, Madden, & Brown , 2005). The treatment also includes a family meal during which family members are trained to assume their specific roles. Siblings are included in treatment to alleviate the patient's distress resulting from this parental challenge in the face of anorexia. They provide emotional support to their sister or brother. Siblings are not involved in feeding decisions or control over eating, which is the responsibility of the parents. Instead, siblings can be someone to complain to, a shoulder to cry on, or someone to distract them from the difficult task of eating. Siblings can be an incredible resource to help a teen in their recovery. Once food security and weight were achieved through parental intervention, responsibility for these issues was gradually transferred to the adolescent. A shorter, final treatment phase is then completed to help the family resume normal adolescent development after the delays caused by anorexia. The effectiveness of this approach has been established in a number of controlled trials (Rhodes et al., 2005). Despite the demonstrated effectiveness and excellent results of the Maudsley model of family treatment of anorexia, another tre...... middle of paper......other parents are a logical step in overcoming the problems isolation and create a feeling of solidarity. Peer support and criticism are powerful dynamics that can promote change, and being in the presence of other families has the effect of making the adolescent and their parents feel less central. They are part of a large group and the feeling of being constantly monitored and observed by a professional is less intense. Through the integration of the Maudsley Method and multiple family therapy, family tension and conflict can be reduced, and a cooperative and supportive relationship atmosphere and working environment can be created for adolescents and their families (Rhodes et al., 2005). Working side by side allows parents and teens to compare notes and learn from each other. Families are consultants to other families and are there to help each other.