In family-based therapy, the clinician is regarded as the source of knowledge and clinical expertise, whereas the parents are regarded as key actors in guiding their child through critical stages in recovery; the parents are expected to model healthy eating behaviors, encourage their child to adopt habits that are conducive to weight restoration, and provide other means by which their child can eventually regain the ability to eat independently, without supervision or dietary control.

When a parent is preparing to make a decision that seems as though it is counterproductive and could defy the patient's progress, the clinician may express their clinical recommendation. However, the clinician must respect the family's authority as the recovery of the patient in FBT is ultimately reliant upon the parents' decisions.