When you’re worried that your teen may be struggling with disordered eating, figuring out what to do next can feel overwhelming. You might be wondering how to find the right therapist, what the first appointment will look like, whether your teen will even want to go, or how you’ll know if treatment is helping. As a parent, it’s natural to want answers. You want your teen to feel better, and you want to make sure they’re getting the support they need. The good news is that you don’t have to know everything about eating disorder treatment before getting started. You don’t need to arrive with the perfect questions or know which therapeutic approach is best for your child. A good starting point is finding a professional who understands eating disorders, can help you assess your teen’s needs, and will work with your family to determine the next steps. In my work with teens and families at Thrope Therapy, I want parents to feel informed and supported throughout this process. Here’s what you can expect when exploring eating disorder therapy for your teen.
Growing up today looks very different from when many of us were teenagers. Social media, online influencers, fitness content, weight-loss messaging, and even artificial intelligence are shaping how teens think about their bodies, food, exercise, and self-worth. As an eating disorder therapist, I see how important it is to understand the environment our teens are growing up in. Parents may be doing their best to create a supportive home, but their children are also exposed to messages from countless sources outside the home. And those messages aren't always as obvious as they used to be. Instead of a magazine telling someone they need to lose weight, a teen might watch a creator share everything they eat in a day, see a before-and-after photo, or hear that a particular product will help them become a better version of themselves. Over time, these messages can shape how teens view their bodies and their relationships with food.
Binge eating at night is more common than many people realize, yet unfortunately, it isn’t widely discussed. For some people, nighttime can be the most challenging part of the day, especially after spending hours trying to maintain control over their eating. Many people experience shame surrounding binge eating, which can lead them to keep their struggles private rather than discussing them with friends or family. This secrecy can make someone feel isolated, as though they are the only person experiencing these patterns, when in reality, many others face similar challenges. However, it’s important to distinguish that eating more at night doesn’t necessarily mean you're binge eating. Binge eating typically involves a feeling of loss of control around food, often accompanied by emotional distress.
