Growing up and Getting Dependency Needs Met as an Adult: Reparenting in Anorexia Nervosa

Abstract

A brief description of reparenting is given. An example of the process of reparenting a recovering female anorexic is provided in the transcription of a dialogue between the client and her therapist, who is her contractual mother. The work centers on the client's fears of growing up and beginning a career. A diagram of the client's old and new ego state belief systems related to these issues is included. This process, which demonstrates a healthy way to resolve dependency issues, is applicable to other parenting and reparenting situations.