National Implementation of Highly Efficient Evidence-Informed Treatment for Youth With Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are amongst the most understudied illnesses affecting young women in Canada. Further, mortality rates are amongst the highest of all psychiatric illnesses. Despite their high prevalence and mortality rates, research into adolescent eating disorders is underfunded in Canada. In addition to the problem of research underfunding, healthcare system underfunding exists - creating long waiting lists and fragmented care for children and youth with eating disorders. More efficient treatments are urgently needed to reduce wait times and provide expedited care to adolescents on eating disorder waitlists. The current study aims to assess whether implementing a virtual parent-lead therapy, Guided Self Help Family-Based Therapy (GSH FBT) might alleviate wait times for eating disorder services and also reduce eating disorder symptomatology in young people with anorexia nervosa. This study also aims to determine the experiences of both families and medical teams of GSH FBT implementation as an intervention.
• Family including an adolescent with a confirmed diagnosis of Anorexia nervosa according to DSM-5-TR criteria.
• Access to computer and internet connection
• Have the capacity to speak, write, and understand English or French
• Therapist/coaches are licensed mental health clinician with experience in eating disorder treatment