External Family Assessment

There are two subcategories within external family context – larger systems and extended family. Ellen’s external family assessment, however, falls into mainly the larger systems and not the extended family. There is no paternal or a maternal extended family information provided in the movie. The larger systems are shown while Ellen is in the therapy group house. Dr. Beckham is a specialist that Susan contacted to help Ellen’s eating disorder. During his initial interview with Ellen, he insists that she join his unconventional in-patient program in order for him to help her. Ellen reluctantly agrees. Within the program, Ellen develops a close friendship with one other patient especially, as well as her recovery. In Dr. Beckham’s six-week in-patient’s program, Ellen lives in one house with five young women and a young man. A …show more content…
Ellen’s social class and religion are not discussed at all in the movie. However, it is known that Ellen is of Caucasian American descendant, with no specific description of heritage line. Although one member of the in-patient house, Anna, seems to be Christian, there is no scene of Anna attending church. Socially, Ellen’s family can be described as upper-middle class. Ellen graduated high school but dropped out of college. She has an artistic skill in drawing caricatures, even though Susan does not agree with her drawing. Financial issues do not appear to be a problem for the family. There is not an explanation of her father’s job or the family's source of income, just that Jack is the financial provider. It is known that her father is working every time there is a family meeting. Even when Dr. Beckham asked him to come to one meeting, her father refused to come. He seems to show very little concern about Ellen's recovery. The family lives in a nice neighborhood in Los Angeles with the overall decent living condition. Ecomap of Ellen’s circle is