Parents' voices: what they say is important in the treatment and recovery process

A solicitation for short essays was made to subscribers of a free Internet newsletter for people interested in eating disorders. Parents of eating disordered children (of any age) were asked to write about their experiences of their child's recovery/treatment process. Participants were encouraged to write about what is important in their role, how they take care of themselves, specific tips for other parents, or any related topics. Seventeen parents responded, and although the topics were generally open-ended, several common subjects arose, including: professional therapy (team treatment and finding the right therapist), self-care, communication, responsibility, faith, and advocacy. Numerous specific techniques were also suggested.