Eating Disorder Therapy Denver: How Partner and Parent Coaching is Transformative for Recovery
If you’re curious about getting started with therapy for an eating disorder, I understand how scary it can feel to know where to start and reach out for support. It’s also challenging trying to figure out what the best option and level of support may be for you. Some individuals may find healing in outpatient, weekly therapy, while others may need more support. At the outpatient level, I value helping individuals create a collaborative care team, which may include a therapist, registered dietitian, medical doctor, and support group(s). While it can be hard to find these practitioners on your own, I work with a trusted team of providers to ensure quality of care and specialized support.
One aspect of eating disorder recovery that I find incredibly valuable is the option for partner and family coaching. Below, I have outlined several options and ways this may look in therapy together.
Parent and Partner coaching for Eating Disorders: What to Expect
There is no single right way to incorporate families into eating disorder therapy and recovery. With training as a Marriage and Family Therapist and experience working in higher levels of care, I value flexibility to meet my clients’ needs.
adults
The decision of whether or not to involve your family or partner in your recovery is a big one. In doing so, it is a courageous leap of trust and vulnerability. I hold clear boundaries with families that the individual is my client, meaning I am partial to you and your care, and that they are there to support your needs.
Teens
For adolescents, it is typically crucial to have caregivers involved in treatment. When a teenager is struggling with an eating disorder, the whole family is affected. Having caregivers involved in therapy helps with connection, accountability, and support.
Parent and partner coaching for teens and adults tend to look relatively similar, and includes:
Knowledge and psychoeducation about eating disorders
Tools for emotional support and mealtime
Understanding and naming their triggers to gain insight how to best support you
Identify challenges in supporting you through eating disorder recovery (i.e. not being home during meal times, etc.)
Family therapy
If you are working with an outpatient therapist and interested in family therapy with a separate therapist, family therapy is a great way to support deeper healing within the family system. The benefit of family therapy is that the family as a whole is my client, meaning I am partial to all family members.
Caregiver support
Caregivers need support too. If your loved one has an eating disorder and you’d like separate, individualized support, therapy for yourself is a helpful way to engage in your own self-care, which I understand can be rare for caregivers. Being a caregiver to someone is not an easy role, and you deserve your own space to process your experience.
IFS-Informed Recovery
I utilize an IFS Informed lens with families to provide a compassionate, nonjudgmental space. When our parts are seen and heard, it allows us to take a step back and approach recovery with greater care and understanding.
Curious about Internal Family Systems? Read more at my recent blog here.
Narrative Therapy in Coaching
I also find narrative therapy to be supportive in parent and partner coaching. With narrative therapy, we will name dominant or stuck narratives that may be barriers to support in recovery, and make space for family members to create new, more positive or empowering narratives.
To learn more about narrative therapy, check out my recent blog here.
Get Started with Eating Disorder Therapy in Denver
I take a personalized approach to eating disorder recovery because I know that no two healing journeys are the same. Whether you’d like support creating a treatment team, or are looking for family therapy support, my goal is to help you navigate eating disorder recovery in a way that feels empowering and is at your own pace. What matters most is that you feel heard, understood, and truly supported throughout the process.
If you’re in Denver and ready to start therapy or just want to learn more about how I can help, I’d love to connect. Reach out today to schedule a consultation, and let’s take the first step together.
About the Author
Gigi Woodall, LMFT
Eating Disorder & Trauma Therapist in Denver
Hi, I’m Gigi—a Denver-based trauma therapist passionate about helping individuals heal and reconnect with themselves. My work focuses on exploring how early experiences, relationships, and protective parts of the self shape our inner narratives. Through a compassionate and individualized approach, I help clients challenge limiting beliefs and step into a more authentic, intuitive way of living.
My background includes working with nonprofit organizations and treatment centers before transitioning to private practice. I am actively involved with the Eating Disorder Foundation and the Denver chapter of the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP). Currently, I’m on the path to becoming a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS).
With specialized training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) Informed therapy, EMDR, and eating disorders, I provide a safe, supportive space for those navigating recovery, trauma, and self-discovery.
Looking for support on your healing journey? Book a free consultation to see if we’re a good fit.