The Maudsley Model of Family-Based Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa The Maudsley Model of Family-Based Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa was first developed in London in the mid-1980s. In this model, parents are given a primary role in treatment, working together as a team in the home to calm their child and address anorexic behavior. Parents are also encouraged to separate the anorexia from the child while carrying out 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 where family members are instructed to take on their specific roles. Siblings are incorporated into the treatment to alleviate the patient's distress resulting from this parental challenge to anorexia. They provide emotional support to their sister or brother. Siblings are not involved in decisions regarding food or monitoring consumption, which is up to 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 in helping a teen in his or her recovery. Once safe eating and weight were achieved through parental intervention, responsibility for these problems was gradually returned to the adolescent. A shorter, more definitive phase of treatment 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 series of controlled studies (Rhodes et al., 2005). Despite the demonstrated effectiveness and excellent results of the Maudsley model of family treatment for anorexia, another three...... middle of paper...the presence of parents is a logical step to overcome isolation problems and create a sense of solidarity. Peer support and criticism are powerful dynamics that can foster change, and the presence of other families has the effect of making the adolescent and his parents feel less central. They are part of a large group and the feeling of being constantly watched and observed by a professional is less intense. With the integration of the Maudsley method and multiple family therapy, family tensions and disputes can be reduced and a cooperative and supportive approach A working atmosphere and 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 advisors to other families and are there to help each other.