Purpose of the Assessment
The goal of the initial session is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the young
person’s physical, psychological, and social wellbeing, as well as the impact the eating
difficulties are having on daily life. This allows us to:
- Clarify the presence and nature of an eating disorder

• Identify co-occurring concerns (e.g. anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues)

• Understand family dynamics and environmental factors

• Discuss current eating patterns, weight history, and medical risks

• Explore the young person’s and family’s goals for treatment

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Who Attends the Session
For young people the assessment typically involves both the child/adolescent and their
parent/s or guardian/s. We usually divide the time between:

• A joint discussion with the young person and their parent/s

• Individual time with the child/adolescent to explore their experience privately

• Individual time with the parent/s or carer/s to gather additional background and concerns

 

This format allows us to understand the situation from multiple perspectives while helping
the young person feel heard and supported.

What to Expect
During the session, Linsey may explore topics such as:

• Eating behaviours and body image concerns

• Emotional wellbeing and mental health history

• Family routines, stressors, and support systems

• Medical history, including recent weight changes or menstrual changes

• Previous help-seeking or treatment attempts

 

Depending on the young person’s age and readiness, she may use developmentally
appropriate tools such as questionnaires or visual aids.

Next Steps
Following the assessment, Linsey will:

• Provide initial feedback to the family

• Recommend a tailored treatment plan, which may include individual therapy, family

• therapy, parent support, and/or dietetic input

• Offer guidance on any immediate next steps, such as liaising with a GP or pediatrician to

• arranging medical monitoring

• Discuss treatment options based on the best fit for the young person and family and

• evidenced based care.