This episode forms part one of a two-part series with Dr Susan Perkins who earned her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Hardin-Simmons University (2003) and her Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Virginia Tech (2010).

She worked at Carolina House, a residential treatment facility for 17-year-olds and older, in a gender inclusive space for a year and a half doing family therapy. In her time there, and within her own private practise, she has been witness to many misunderstandings, frustrations, and challenges that both the suffering eating disordered individual and their families undergo. In this episode we explore what some of those are and how she approaches them in a professional sense.

So, if you or a loved one are struggling with an eating disorder, this episode aims to help you gain insight into common hurdles faced, things to do/avoid, etc. and what role the family plays in eating disorder treatment.

In part two, we will take a super deep and vulnerable dive into my (Kirsten’s) personal story with an eating disorder and the role my family played.

You can find Dr Perkins at http://www.cardinalpointstherapy.com/

Keep a look out for her psycho-ed program she is developing with resources for family members so that they can better understand and equip themselves for the treatment process.