ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the initial treatment session with two families who presented to Parent-Based Prevention. The chapter outlines the course of the first meeting (beginning with the preliminary phone screen and the administration of self-report assessments), describes the interview questions and the manner in which the therapist–client interaction has unfolded in this intake meeting, and summarizes the therapist’s observations and insights following the first session. In the first family described in this chapter, a mother with anorexia nervosa history turns to Parent-Based Prevention in order to reduce mealtime conflict with her children. The parents are particularly worried about their child’s rejection of most of the foods offered to her, which creates additional stress in light of the maternal eating disorder. In the second case described, a father with Binge-Eating Disorder and depressive symptoms seeks participation in the program so that he and his partner could facilitate better emotion-regulation skills in their children that do not include food. Further, the parents are interested in reducing grazing behaviors in their children and establishing a routine that includes regular meals and snacks. The chapter sheds light on how a Parent-Based Prevention therapist provides psychoeducation on pediatric nutrition in the initial phase of the intervention.
