This book is the first to address what really happens behind closed doors during eating disorders treatment, as most writing has only addressed theoretical approaches and behavioral strategies. The field has long needed a book that describes the heart of the matter: the therapeutic interventions and interactions that comprise life-changing treatment for this life-threatening disorder. In response to this need, the authors have created a book that reflects the individual therapeutic skills and the collective wisdom of senior clinicians, all of whom have years of experience treating anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder.

Intended to be a deeply thoughtful and instructive volume, Effective Clinical Practice in the Treatment of Eating Disorders: The Heart of the Matter demonstrates the depth, complexity, and impact of the therapeutic process. In particular, the book articulates and explores essential points of information, issues, insights and unresolved questions about eating disorders treatment. Effective Clinical Practice in the Treatment of Eating Disorders describes and explicates important treatment issues and themes in a nuanced, highly contextualized and qualitative manner. The book offers a significant reference for both novice and seasoned therapists, and it includes specific information that will serve to inform and mentor future generations of eating disorders clinicians.

Table of Contents

Section One: Effective Clinical Practices: Approaches. Maine, Beyond the Medical Model: A Feminist Frame for Eating Disorders. Emmett, Wholeness and Holiness: A Psychospiritual Perspective. Davis, Individual Psychotherapy for Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia: Making a Difference. Burgard, Developing Body Trust: A Body-Positive Approach to Treating Eating Disorders. Section Two: Effective Clinical Practice: Methods. Wingate, Holistic Integrative Psychiatry and the Treatment of Eating Disorders. Bunnell, Countertransference in the Psychotherapy of Patients with Eating Disorders. Sinicrope Maier, Family Therapy with Eating Disorders: Creating an Alliance for Change. Hartman McGilley, Sacred Circles: Feminist-Oriented Group Therapy for Adolescents with Eating Disorders. Rabinor, Bilich, Treating Eating Disorders: The Healing Power of Guided Imagery. Ressler, BodyMind Treatment: Connecting to Imprinted Emotions and Experiences. Section Three: Effective Clinical Practices: Special Themes. Shure, Weinstock, Shame, Compassion, and the Journey Toward Health. Costin, The Embodied Therapist: Perspectives on Treatment, Personal Growth, and Supervision Related to Body Image. Whitehead-LaBoo, Connecting Through Difference: Therapeutic Use of Self to Promote Eating Disorder Recovery. Zimmer, Therapy Redux: The Evolution of a Treatment Relationship. Bloomgarden, Working with People Who Live Dangerously: Perspectives on Managing Negative Countertransference During the Treatment of Eating Disorders. Sesan, Forgiveness: The Final Frontier in Recovery From an Eating Disorder

“… A thorough yet practical compilation of many years of collective wisdom in the psychotherapeutic management of eating disorders by a group of seasoned and highly respected colleagues. It is an outstanding tool for clinicians of all disciplines to develop a better understanding of the art of working with those affected by these challenging illnesses. It gives the reader a psychological and socio-cultural perspective that should be part of the approach for all those working with this patient population.”
— Ovidio Bermudez, MD