The author writes about watching the child she loves and adores wither away to a complex and curious illness.  It is difficult for any parent to wrap their head around anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder.  But it is clear that Harriet Brown, for better or worse, understands eating disorders.  She describes the "eating disorder voice," the sheer terror of eating and the skewed logic that kept her daughter hooked into anorexia.

Brave Girl Eating also discusses the Maudsley Method.  In this approach, parents are not blamed or pathologized.  In fact, it is quite the opposite.  They are key to treatment and on the front lines to help their child recover.  It is an intensive outpatient treatment created by adolescent psychiatrists and psychologists at the Maudsley Hospital in London.  Dr. Le Grange, Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago and Dr. James Lock Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University School of Medicine as well as other professionals around the country have shown the efficacy and utility of this approach. (to learn more about it click here or F.E.A.S.T).

Thank you Harriet for coming to Cleveland and for helping educate parents about eating disorders and the wonderful role they can take in helping their kids to recover.

Susan Albers, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist, specializing in eating issues, weight loss, body image concerns, and mindfulness. She is the author of 50 Ways to Soothe Yourself Without Food, Eating Mindfully, Eat, Drink, and Be Mindful, and Mindful Eating 101 and is a Huffington Post blogger.  Her books have been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, O, the Oprah Magazine, Natural Health, Self Magazine and on the Dr. Oz T.V. show. Visit Albers online at http://www.eatingmindfully.com