Join a webinar and gain knowledge from an experts on eating disorders.

When is a Higher Level of Care Needed?

Mealtimes have been described as emotionally intense and anxiety provoking when an eating disorder is at the table. Parents have often described their ill child as a different person. In this setting, a normally compliant, reasonable, and controlled person can become angry, distressed, and non-compliant. Oftentimes, the family needs comprehensive meal coaching in order to continue to feed their child successfully as they navigate new barriers and behaviors.
In this presentation, we will focus on how differing parental styles can influence techniques used by parents in the re-feeding of their child. We will also highlight ways to increase parental efficacy in re-feeding by mobilizing individual and combined parental strengths, identifying emotional vulnerabilities and expression, reinforcing healthy eating behaviors, and providing guidance and support during a meal. Examples of strategic meal coaching will be demonstrated with special attention given to the relationship between co-parents, single-parents, and the malnourished child.

With over 18 years of experience working with children, teens, and families, Christin is a dedicated mental health professional who specializes in evidence-based therapies, including Family-Based Treatment (FBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). As the co-manager of the Adolescent Program at UCSD-EDD, she has spent the past 12 years supporting families through the complexities of mental health challenges, eating disorders, and emotional regulation issues.
Christin is deeply involved in the Saturday Program at UCSD-EDC, where she facilitates family-focused activities, meal coaching, and helps guide participants through process work. She holds a B.S. in Family and Child Development with a Minor in Psychology from San Diego State University, and an M.A. in Marital and Family Therapy from Alliant International University.
In addition to her academic credentials, Christin is certified as a Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Advocate and has received specialized training in Motivational Interviewing, FBT, DBT, and Crisis Intervention. Her career began working with at-risk adolescents and families, focusing on substance abuse, neglect, eating disorders, and juvenile justice system involvement. This experience spans a variety of settings, including residential treatment centers, inpatient and outpatient care, juvenile hall, and psychiatric hospitals.
Christin’s commitment to supporting families in crisis and her broad skill set have made her a vital member of the UCSD-EDC team, helping to improve the lives of young individuals and their families through compassionate care and evidence-based practices.

Family Based Treatment (FBT) for Young Adults: Parents as Partners in Recovery

Family based treatment for transition age youth (FBT-TAY) with eating disorders is an adapted model of FBT, originally developed for adolescents.  Borrowing from the principles of the foundational model, FBT-TAY is premised on the belief that parents/families play a critical role in supporting their child with the renourishment process, weight restoration (if needed) and successfully launching from adolescence to adulthood. Recognizing the increased agency of the transition age youth, and their choice to accept or decline adult eating disorder care, FBT-TAY aims to empower both parents and the young person to collaboratively work together to achieve recovery. In this webinar, a developmentally tailored approach, strategies, metaphors and interventions will be discussed to support parents to  address eating disorder behaviours such as restrictive eating and compensatory behaviours.

Dr. Gina Dimitropoulos is a Professor at the Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary. She and her colleagues (Lock, Le Grange, and Anderson) have developed and researched the FBT-TAY for anorexia nervosa. She leads multi-site projects focused on transition age youth in eating disorders and mental health.

Past Webinars

Date

Title

Watch

Oct. 22nd, 2025

When is a Higher Level of Care Needed?

Sep. 17th, 2025

Addressing Medications Like Ozempic in the Context of Eating Disorders

Jan. 15th, 2025

Dec. 4th, 2024

Let's Talk About Family Support for Autism and Eating Disorders

Nov. 13th, 2024

Challenging Parent Perceptions on Weight, Fat, and Food

Oct. 31st, 2024

(In Spanish) Reconstruyendo la Confianza en la Mesa: Cómo el FBT Puede Cambiar la Vida de tu Familia

Aug. 14th, 2024

July 11th, 2024

How We Developed FBT and Why it Works

May 8th, 2024

Treating Eating Disorders with Psychedelics: A Guide for Parents

April 10th, 2024

Eating Disorders Affect Us All

March 27th, 2024

Does Medication Work in the Treatment of Eating Disorders?

Feb. 28th, 2024

Promoting Life in the Treatment of Severe and Enduring Eating Disorders

Jan. 17th, 2024

Dec. 6th, 2023

Suicidiality & Self Harm in Eating Disorders

Nov. 9th, 2023

Oct. 11th, 2023

Refeeding Your Loved One

Aug. 14th, 2023

Eating Disorder in Males

July 12th, 2023

The Effect of Eating Disorders on Siblings: An Authentic Conversation

May 3rd, 2023

Understanding ARFID & its Genetic & Environmental Causes

March 22nd, 2023

What is "Fat Phobia" and How can it Affect Your Loved One's Recovery

March 2nd, 2023

Navigating Ramadan with an Eating Disorder

Jan. 31st, 2023

2023 AAP Guidelines with Dr. Anna Tanner

Jan. 18th, 2023

Eating Disorders, Biology, & Body Image

Dec. 15th, 2022

Nurturing Your Loved One with an Eating Disorder through the Holiday Season

Nov. 9th, 2022

Guided Self-Help Family Based Therapy for Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa: What is it and Who is it for?

Oct. 18th, 2022

This is Hard and Skills Can Help: DBT Skills to Enhance Family Communication

Aug. 11th, 2022

How to Talk to Your Child When ED Has You Walking on Eggshells

July 14th, 2022

Skills Sharing for Supporters of People with Eating Disorders

June 3rd, 2022

What Parents and Patients Have Taught Me

May 18th, 2022

Partnering with Primary Care: Building a Team to Beat Your Child's Eating Disorder

May 1st, 2022

De-Escalating Violence and Aggression

Feb. 25th, 2022

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders: A Guide for Beginners

Jan. 20th, 2022

Permission to Parent

Dec. 16th, 2021

Having a Sibling with an Eating Disorder

Nov. 10th, 2021

What Caregivers Should Know About CBT and DBT

Oct. 13th, 2021

Medical Complications in Children and Adolescents with Feeding and Eating Disorder

Sept. 14th, 2021

Supporting Your Loved One Struggling with Bulimia Nervosa

Aug. 4th, 2021

ARFID 101: Subtypes, Symptoms, and Effective Treatments

July 21st, 2021

Is Anorexia Nervosa an Eating Disorder? How Anxiety Inhibits Eating

June 16th, 2021

Webinar with Daniel El Grange, PHD: What's New with FBT?

May 20th, 2021

What Parents Should Know About Higher Weight Eating Disorders

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