For Families and Loved Ones

What to Expect at Compassionate Healing Institute

What Families & Loved Ones Can Expect at Compassionate Healing Institute

Supporting Your Loved One’s Healing Journey

When someone you care about is struggling with OCD, or an eating disorder, anxiety or a related condition it can be hard to know how to help. At Compassionate Healing Institute (CHI), we believe that healing doesn’t happen in isolation — families and loved ones play an essential role in recovery.

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Our team partners with you to ensure your loved one receives compassionate, safe, and evidence-based care while you also feel supported and informed along the way.

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Step-by-Step: The Family Experience at CHI

Step 1: Free 15-Minute Phone Consultation

Many families begin with a free consultation call to discuss concerns, ask questions, and learn about our approach.

This call helps us:

• Understand what your loved one has been experiencing

• Offer guidance on whether traditional outpatient or intensive treatment is appropriate

• Review fees and payment options

• Explain how family members can be involved during treatment

If CHI is a good fit, we’ll schedule an intake evaluation for your loved one, or for yourself to support your loved one.

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If a higher level of care (such as residential or PHP) is needed, we’ll connect you with trusted programs in South Florida to ensure your loved one’s safety and continuity of care.

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Step 2: Intake Evaluation

The intake evaluation is an in-depth session (usually 60 minutes) where our clinician meets with you or your loved one — and in many cases, for the treatment of your loved one, you will be invited to give input when appropriate.

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During this stage, we:

• Learn about symptoms, behaviors, and life stressors

• Gather relevant history (medical, emotional, nutritional)

• Identify safety or medical concerns that may require higher-level monitoring

• Begin to outline treatment goals

Families are encouraged to share observations and concerns, especially around eating, anxiety, or compulsive behaviors.

Your insights often help us build a fuller picture of what’s happening day-to-day.

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Step 3: Treatment Planning & Family Communication

Once the assessment is complete, we’ll meet with your loved one (and, if appropriate, family members) to review the plan of care.

This may include:

• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD and anxiety

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and family-based interventions

• SPACE -Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions 

• SPACE for ARFID- Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions for Avoidance Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

• Nutrition therapy or meal support with our registered dietitian

• Neuropsychological Assessments

We discuss frequency, structure, and how you can best support progress at home.

Families are always welcome to ask questions and participate in education sessions to better understand OCD, anxiety, and eating disorders.

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Step 4: Active Treatment Phase

As your loved one begins therapy, our team focuses on helping them face fears, rebuild self-supportive behaviors, and increase their confidence while expanding their lives.

You can expect:

• Regular updates and check-ins (with your loved one’s consent)

• Guidance on how to respond to anxiety, compulsions, or eating-related distress at home

• Access to family sessions focused on boundaries, communication, and relapse prevention

Our goal is to empower you with practical tools to support recovery, not to take on the role of therapist, but to create an environment that reinforces healing.

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Step 5: Coordination & Ongoing Support

Sometimes clients need additional structure or medical support.

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If your loved one’s symptoms become more severe, we’ll collaborate with you and coordinate referrals to trusted IOP, PHP, or residential programs.

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When care is stepped down, we stay involved to maintain smooth transitions and continued progress.

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Step 6: Review, Taper, and Aftercare

As treatment goals are met, sessions may taper from weekly to bi-weekly or monthly check-ins.

We help families and clients create a long-term plan that includes:

• Relapse-prevention strategies

• Clear communication tools

• Resources for continued community or nutritional support

Your involvement during this phase helps your loved one maintain accountability and confidence in their recovery journey.

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How We Support Families

At CHI, we view family engagement as a key part of treatment success. We offer:

• Education about OCD, eating disorders, and anxiety

• Guidance on supporting recovery without reinforcing symptoms

• Family therapy or coaching sessions to address communication and boundaries

• Resource recommendations for parents and partners (books, workshops, community support groups)

We believe that when families are informed and supported, outcomes improve — and everyone feels more hopeful.

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What We Ask of Families & Loved Ones

• Approach your loved one’s recovery with patience and compassion

• Keep communication open with the treatment team (with client consent)

• Avoid judgment or “fixing” — your presence and empathy are often the most powerful support

• Take care of yourself, too — recovery can be stressful, and your well-being matters

If You’re Worried About Safety

If you notice signs of medical instability, rapid weight loss, self-harm thoughts, or other red flags, please contact us immediately or reach out to emergency services.

Our clinicians will help assess risk and ensure your loved one receives the appropriate level of care as quickly as possible.

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Ready to Learn More?

If your loved one is struggling with OCD, an eating disorder, anxiety or a related condition, Compassionate Healing Institute can help. We’ll guide your family through every step with understanding, transparency, and care.