Evidence-Based Treatment Planning for Eating Disorders and Obesity

Noting that treatment plans aren’t created in a vacuum, but rather tailored to each client within the context of an authentic, empathic relationship, Bruce and Jongsma present an overview of three eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder) and their respective DSM features, along with a description of obesity and its psychologically informed elements that may be responsive to clinical treatment. The two clinicians anchor this information with a six-step treatment planning process for eating disorders and obesity, geared toward building a plan consistent with empirically supported treatments (ESTs). A brief history of the EST movement provides further context.

You’ll find sample treatment plans here, along with the clinicians’ expert commentary on the most researched ESTs for eating disorders. Through a series of live demonstrations with clients and their family members, you’ll watch therapists incorporate skillful interventions (including psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, parental involvement, and “surfing the urge”) based on the approaches of Family-Based Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, and the LEARN model. Definitions, goals, and relapse prevention are covered, too, for a well-rounded set of tools you can start using immediately to support your clients’ improvement while meeting increasingly stringent professional standards.

If you’ve been searching for resources on eating disorders or need to know how to create evidence-based treatment plans with confidence, look no further than this comprehensive video.