This may be one of the most painful and confusing positions a parent can face. Your child is legally an adult. And yet, the young person you love may be struggling in ways that make independence feel more like an idea than a reality. They may tell you: “You can’t control me.” “I’m over 18.” […]
My Adult Child Has an Eating Disorder: Can I Still Set Boundaries and Help? Read Post »
If you are parenting a child or teenager with an eating disorder, there is a good chance you have doubted yourself more times than you can count. Am I pushing too hard? Am I making this worse? Should I back off? Shouldn’t they have some say? Why does this suddenly feel like I can’t parent
If you’re a parent in the middle of eating disorder treatment, you’ve likely had this thought: “Is this actually working?” And just as quickly, another thought follows: “Am I even allowed to ask that?” Let me be clear. Yes—you are. Recovery Doesn’t Look the Way You Expect Eating disorder recovery isn’t a straight line. It
Why It’s So Hard to Tell If Eating Disorder Treatment Is Working? Read Post »
If you’re here, you’re likely overwhelmed. You may be watching your child struggle with eating, emotions, or behaviors that don’t make sense. You may feel unsure of what to say, what to do, or whether you’re helping or making things worse. And if you’ve started looking for eating disorder caregiver support, you may have come
A Clear Look at Eating Disorder Caregiver Support Read Post »
When your child is struggling with an eating disorder, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm, your instinct is immediate: Make it better. You explain. You reassure. You remind them of what the therapist said. And when that doesn’t work, it can feel confusing, or even discouraging. Many parents don’t realize when emotions are high, the brain cannot
Staying With the Feeling: Helping Your Child Without Fixing Everything Read Post »
Many families enter eating disorder treatment believing that professionals will “fix” things by treating their child and giving parents some instructions to follow. Unfortunately, eating disorder recovery doesn’t work that way. Caregivers should never be on the sidelines. Caregivers are the daily stabilizer for their loved one that is suffering from an eating disorder. You
5 Signs It May Be Time for Eating Disorder Caregiver Support Read Post »
When parents first notice changes in eating, mood, or behavior, one of the most common questions I hear is,“What if I say the wrong thing?” That fear makes sense. When it comes to eating disorders parents often feel like the stakes are high, and they are. But the truth is you don’t need the “perfect”
5 Ways to Start the Conversation About Eating Disorders and Navigate Getting Help Read Post »
National Eating Disorder Awareness Week is February 23rd – March 1st and it is an important reminder that eating disorders don’t usually arrive loudly or clearly labeled. More often, they show up quietly or subtly, through small changes that are easy to second-guess or explain away. Many parents tell me, “I wasn’t sure if I
5 Early Signs Your Child Might Be Struggling With an Eating Disorder Read Post »
As 2025 came to a close and I stepped into 2026, I’ve been reflecting on the path that brought me here and the direction I feel called to move next. For more than 25 years, I’ve had the privilege of supporting children, adolescents, young adults, and families affected by eating disorders. Over the past decade
January arrives, and suddenly it feels impossible to escape it. Detoxes. Cleanses. “Reset” plans. Before-and-after photos. Algorithms that seem to know exactly how to find us, without us even searching. The message is everywhere: Your body needs fixing. Your eating needs controlling. A better version of you is just one plan away. For kids, teens,
Helping Kids Resist Diet Culture in a “New Year, New You” World Read Post »
For many mental health providers, the holiday season brings a complicated mix of meaning, stress, and emotional load. This is the time of year when our clients are under more pressure, more activation, and often more distress—and so are we. And unlike many other professions, our personal and professional worlds often overlap in a very
Boundaries & Self-Care for Providers: Navigating Compassion Fatigue During the Holidays Read Post »
The holidays bring joy, connection, and often some complicated feelings around food. In a recent Austin American-Statesman article, I shared guidance on how we can approach this season with more mindfulness, moderation, and self-compassion. Read the full article below to learn practical tips to help you and your family build a healthier, more balanced relationship
Skip the holiday food guilt: Expert tips for mindful, stress-free eating Read Post »
The Thanksgiving break can be a revealing moment for many parents. Your college-aged young adult comes home, and what you hoped would be connection, warmth, and rest instead becomes a wake-up call. Maybe you noticed they picked at their plate. Maybe you saw anxiety take over at mealtimes. Maybe the weight loss was undeniable. Maybe
By Dr. Allison K. Chase | AK Chase Consulting Confidence Creates Change. The holiday season often brings warmth, connection, and tradition. But for families navigating eating disorder recovery, it can also bring a unique set of challenges. Meals become more complicated. Routines get disrupted. Family gatherings can stir up unhelpful comments about food, bodies, or
Why digital pressures affect boys more than we realize — and what parents and professionals can do to help. By Dr. Allison K. Chase, Ph.D., AK Chase Consulting When conversations about social media and mental health come up, our focus often lands on girls — and understandably so. But a recent report from Common Sense
We Can’t Forget the Boys: Social Media, Body Image, and Eating Disorders Read Post »
