Collaborative First Meetings with Young People Who Have Eating Problems and Their Families

The author describes how the Alfred CYMHS in Melbourne responds to youth with eating disorders by having an initial collaborative meeting with the young person and her or his family with the purposes of (1) developing a shared understanding of the problem, (2) building an agreed-upon treatment plan, and (3) generating a healing dialogue. This collaborative meeting, informed by single session principles, helps get things off to a fast and effective start and often results in a shorter and easier subsequent course of treatment. A case illustration with commentary is provided.