The Emotion-Coaching Study is a study testing a group-based treatment for caregivers of adolescents with eating disorders. This study is for any parent whose child or adolescent (12-18 years old) is currently within the first 8 weeks of Family Based Treatment for an eating disorder.

The study involves 4 sessions of intervention meant to complement FBT. Caregivers will learn skills to better understand and manage their own emotions and how to best support their child in developing healthy strategies to cope with feelings. Parents will learn about the role of emotions in eating disorders, as well as how to improve family communication.

Intervention sessions and assessments will take place over videoconference (Zoom). You are invited to participate regardless of where you live. Times for the groups are flexible, and we offer weekend and evening availability.

This study also involves assessments to help us better understand your thoughts and reactions to the treatment, as well as how helpful the treatment sessions are. These assessments will be primarily questionnaires, and will occur before the intervention begins, at the end of the four weeks (post-treatment), and at a four-week follow-up. At the post-treatment assessment, you will also be asked to complete a brief interview where you will be asked to share your thoughts in more detail.

This study is being led by Claire Trainor, a doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology Program at Drexel, and Dr. Stephanie Manasse, the Director of the WELL Center’s Child and Adolescent Program. The Child and Adolescent Program is dedicated to producing rigorous clinical research and evidence-based treatment for adolescents experiencing weight and eating disorders.

Claire Trainor
Doctoral Candidate
WELL Center at Drexel University

Claire Trainor is a doctoral student in clinical psychology at Drexel University who specializes in working with children, adolescents, and families with eating disorders and other related disorders, including anxiety and OCD. Claire obtained her bachelor’s degree from DePaul University and worked as a research coordinator at the University of California, San Francisco in the adolescent eating disorders research program. She has experience providing individual, group, and family therapy for youth who struggle with eating disorders, anxiety, OCD, and mood dysregulation. She has received training and supervision in evidence-based treatments for these conditions, including cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention, attachment-based family therapy, emotion focused family therapy, and parent training. Claire’s strong foundation in these approaches allows her to tailor treatment to each family’s need and identified goals for treatment. In addition, her research work focuses on understanding momentary associations between parent/child communication and disordered eating behavior, treatment develop for adolescents with eating pathology, and integration of therapeutic techniques in evidence-based practice.

For More Information Contact: cmt389@drexel.edu

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