Treatment Philosophy

Eating disorders are often understood to be problems with food and weight. Indeed there is now research to document that there are physiological components to bingeing, purging and starving. However, that is just part of the picture. Disordered eating is also a way of soothing one’s self, coping with emotions, or dealing with complicated relationships.

The first concern with any eating disorder is to make sure that health is restored and that the physiological aspects of anorexia, bulimia or binge eating are addressed. Additionally, it is important to pay attention to the psychological picture. Dr. Brisman will work with you to explore what the anorexic, bingeing, or bulimic behaviors have come to mean to you, to find healthier ways of coping and to understand why these behaviors have been so hard to give up.

When possible, involvement with the family is encouraged.  How can each family best set the stage for recovery? With some families with an anorexic son or daughter, direct re-feeding is most helpful in ensuring recovery. For other families, this kind of direct intervention may not be helpful.  In these cases, parents are guided to work with treatment teams to support the recovery of their child. One approach does not work for everyone. Recommendations are based on an understanding of each individual family.