Meet Dr. Allison Chase
Eating disorder caregiver consultant with more than 25 years across every level of eating disorder care, now working directly with the parents and caregivers at the center of recovery.
"Supporting a child through an eating disorder is one of the hardest things a parent can face. I understand the fear and the exhaustion, and all of the second-guessing that comes with it, because I have sat with families in it for more than 25 years. And I can tell you, without any hesitation, that recovery is possible and that families are an essential part of it."
Why I Do This Work
I have spent more than 25 years working in eating disorders, and I have worked at every level of care, from outpatient through the most intensive higher level of care programs. For many of those years I was in clinical leadership. That meant I was responsible for the most complex and difficult cases, and I was also responsible for making sure the team and the program were truly meeting those needs.
What I saw again and again is that families make a difference. Parents who understood what was happening, who had the right words to use at the table, and who believed they could help changed the course of their child’s recovery. I also saw how many parents were left outside the room, frightened and unsure of what to do, including parents of young adults who were being told it was no longer their place.
That is why I founded AK Chase Consulting. I work directly with parents and caregivers, because families don’t need to step aside. They need to step in, and they need someone who knows this illness well enough to show them how.
What Sets My Work Apart
I know every level of care from the inside. Because I have led higher level of care programs, I can help you think strategically when the standard approach isn’t working, recognize when home is the right place for recovery, and recognize when a higher level of care is the right call. I can also help you understand whether a step-down reflects real progress.
I give you the actual words. Through my Language and Rehearsal Approach (LRA), I give caregivers the specific language they need, help them predict what the eating disorder is going to say, and rehearse before the real moment comes. When you have practiced what you’re going to say, you can stay steady at the table even when the eating disorder is loud.
My work is built on a research-based framework. The Confident Caregiver Approach™ is grounded in Albert Bandura’s research on self-efficacy, meaning your belief that you can make a difference. It builds on Family-Based Treatment, first developed at the Maudsley Hospital in London, and on Emotion-Focused Family Therapy. It moves through five pillars: Understand, Reframe, Communicate, Navigate, and Sustain.
I’m at my best with the complex cases. Many families come to me because their situation doesn’t fit neatly in a box. That includes treatment transitions and parents of young adults, where I often remind families and professionals that legal adulthood is not the same as functional adulthood.
Who I Help
Most families reach out at one of three moments. You may be worried something is going on with your child and need help figuring out whether it is an eating disorder and where to turn. Your loved one may already be in treatment, and your family is really struggling and needs more support. Or you may be facing a change in level of care, including parents of young adults who are frustrated at being left out of their child’s care.
I also consult with and train clinicians and treatment programs on bringing families into care. I work virtually, with families and professionals anywhere in the U.S.
What Sets Me Apart?
Extensive Expertise
With over two decades of experience, I bring deep knowledge of family-based recovery approaches using the principles from Family-Based Treatment (FBT) and Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT).
Personalized Support
I tailor every consultation and service to meet the unique needs of your family, ensuring that you, as the caregiver, feels equipped and confident to navigate recovery.
Nationwide Access
Through virtual consultations and speaking engagements, I’m able to connect with families and professionals across the U.S., offering expert support wherever you are.
Compassionate Guidance
I understand the emotional toll eating disorders take on families, and I’m here to provide support, encouragement and actionable solutions to build your confidence every step of the way.
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