Seeing someone struggle with an eating disorder can be heart-wrenching. Loved ones can feel helpless, not knowing how to assist in the journey towards recovery. This is where Family-Based Treatment (FBT) comes into the picture.

Meet JD Ouellette and her daughter Kinsey Dalbec, together they're living testaments to the power of FBT. For over eleven years now, JD has been using her hard-earned wisdom as a mother who assisted her own child through an eating disorder and is now guiding others as the Director of Lived Experience at Equip Health.

Additionally, her daughter, Kinsey, is a beacon of hope. Rising from the depths of her own struggle with an eating disorder as a teenager, she's now in her late 20's, living in a strong and active recovery. A new mother herself, Kinsey is also advancing her understanding of mental health as a Clinical Counseling student, underscoring the significance of family-based treatment.

Our special guests will be sharing invaluable insights and practical strategies on how involving the family in the treatment of eating disorders can lead to remarkable results. 

Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn how you can play an essential role in your loved one's recovery journey.

In this episode, you will be able to:

SHOW NOTES -  From Struggle to Strength: How Family-Based Treatment Creates Lasting Recovery 

CONNECT WITH JD OUELLETTE & KINSEY DALBEC

CONNECT WITH EQUIP

CONNECT WITH RECOVERY WARRIORS 🖤

Timestamped summary of this episode:

00:00:00 - Introduction, 
Kristina Saffran introduces the podcast episode and the guests, JD Ouellette and Kinsey Dalbec. They discuss their experience with eating disorders and the importance of family-based treatment (FBT) in their recovery journeys.

00:01:25 - Kenzie's Diagnosis and Treatment, 
Kinsey shares that she was diagnosed with an eating disorder during her senior year of high school. She discusses the quick decline and the role of FBT in her treatment. JD reflects on the early diagnosis and the importance of finding the right program.

00:05:16 - FBT and Parental Involvement, 
JD talks about the counterintuitive nature of FBT for a self-sufficient and independent child like Kinsey. They emphasize the importance of short-term intensity for long-term recovery. They also discuss the role of parents in advocating for treatment and making tough decisions.

00:10:32 - Parental Involvement in Recovery, 
Kinsey acknowledges the crucial role her parents played in her recovery, especially in the early stages when she didn't have the awareness to seek help herself. She appreciates their firmness and lack of choice, which pushed her towards recovery. The external motivation and support from her parents were instrumental in her journey.

00:12:07 - The Gift of Parental Involvement, 
Both Kinsey and JD consider the involvement of parents in recovery as a gift. They discuss the rewards and external motivations that helped Kinsey stay committed to her recovery,

00:13:48 - The Importance of DBT in Recovery 
The guest discusses how DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) was crucial in their recovery from an eating disorder. They found DBT to be practical and helpful in regulating emotions and controlling behaviors. The skills learned in DBT are now used in their everyday life.

00:14:48 - The Power of Radical Acceptance 
Radical acceptance is highlighted as Kinsey's favorite DBT skill. They explain that since there are few things in life that can be controlled, radical acceptance helps them to remain calm and find solutions in challenging situations. An example is given of handling a last-minute change in accommodation plans with ease.

00:16:14 - Using DBT Skills as a Parent 
The guest shares how DBT skills not only helped them personally but also as a parent. They emphasize the importance of regulating their own emotions and using DBT skills to effectively communicate and support their child with an eating disorder. They suggest that DBT should be taught from a young age.

00:18:28 - The Challenges of Recovery 
The guest reflects on the difficulties faced during their recovery journey, particularly during a relapse and the decision to bring their child home from college. They emphasize the importance of having support and accountability from family members throughout the recovery process.

00:23:44 - The Role of Adult Treatment 
Kinsey shares how attending an adult treatment program was a reality check and motivated them to strive for full recovery. 

00:27:59 - The Importance of Authentic Relationships in Eating Disorder Recovery, 
In eating disorder recovery, it is crucial for individuals to develop authentic relationships. JD emphasizes that the eating disorder often becomes a person's "ride or die," hindering the formation of genuine connections. However, recovery allows individuals to regain these relationships and be fully present in them.

00:28:54 - Embracing Food and Becoming a Foodie in Recovery, 
JD shares Kinsey's transformation from having a limited palate to becoming a foodie in recovery. They highlight the joy of trying new foods and recipes, celebrating the ability to enjoy a wide variety of cuisines.

00:30:40 - Becoming a Mom and Body Image, 
Kinsey reflects on how becoming a mother has positively impacted her body image. She shares her love for being pregnant and how it helped her appreciate her body. She also expresses her hope for her daughter to grow up in a world with less diet culture and more body positivity.

00:34:05 - Hesitations about Family-Based Treatment (FBT), 
The guests address common hesitations about Family-Based Treatment (FBT). They discuss the belief that other treatment forms away from home are superior, but emphasize the importance of learning to manage the recovery process in the home environment. They also dispel the fear that FBT will ruin relationships and highlight the long-term commitment and hard work required.