Eating · Family-Based Treatment
FBT Phase 2 Handover Ladder
Graded return of eating autonomy — after Phase 1 has held
In Family-Based Treatment, Phase 2 is the gradual handover of eating responsibility from parents back to the adolescent — only after weight is largely restored and behaviors are quiet. Too fast is the classic Phase-2 mistake. This ladder plans it in stages the family and clinician set together.
Current % of expected body weight
Weeks of stable weight in Phase 1
Behaviors still active (if any)
FBT clinician sign-off to begin Phase 2
Handover ladder
Step
What the adolescent now chooses / plates / eats
Parent role
Review date
What we go back to if weight drops or behaviors return
How parents will hand back control without shaming the adolescent
A pause is not a failure
If a rung of the ladder brings behaviors back, step down a rung. Phase 1 discipline plus Phase 2 patience is what recovers weight AND autonomy. Rushing autonomy costs both.