Adolescent Eating Disorders: A Contextual Action Theory Approach to Family-Based Counseling

Abstract

This chapter discusses the application of contextual action theory to family-based counseling for adolescent eating disorders. It will appeal to counselors familiar with family-based approaches, like behavioral family therapy, and to counselors interested in learning more about the clinical application of these methods. Contextual action theory is presented as a meta-framework for conceptualizing eating disorders as well as the counseling process when working with adolescents and families. The chapter shows how contextual action theory can respond to the need for counselors to employ techniques and strategies supported by research while remaining true to their own professional counseling theory. To this end, contextual action theory is applied to common treatment goals in adolescent eating disorders, like weight restoration, and it is shown how the theory can address treatment challenges that may arise, as well as general counseling process issues. The distinct contributions contextual action theory brings to the challenging work of eating disorders, like helping families and adolescents define meaningful counseling outcomes, are also considered.