Again, it's a control/choice relationship (more)

Jo/Az, a couple of things come to mind. First, if the Ash's father is aware that she is making herself vomit after supper and doing nothing about it, that is very much like child neglect. Second, Ash probably *has* heard someone make fun of her Aunt and that frightens her. I think Sarah's got a good point on that. Ash needs to know that she's loved and loveable at any size. She also has to learn that her aunt is making a choice to eat too much and that Ash can also make the choice to eat properly and get exercise. Again, this is very much a control issue. The aunt is choosing to let food control her life. I think Ash feels like *she* can't control herself around food but she can control how much food her body gets by vomiting it up. So, she's letting food control her, as well. In that respect her aunt isn't a poor example but she is an example of what happens when you make bad choices. There are anorexics and bulemics who are also examples of what happens when a person picks anorexia and bulemia as weight-control choices. Seems like she's only been exposed to one type of example but Ash needs to be educated about all the choices she has around food and that she has control over the food, not the other way around. In any event, it sounds like you're on the right track. At least her parents are involved now and you can work as a team for Ash's benefit.