Connecting feelings, thoughts and deeds: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and eating disorders.
Research has shown that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one of the most effective ways to treat eating disorders, and is a critical element at all levels of care. It’s based on the theory that emotions, behaviors and thoughts are all connected.
People with eating disorders, for example, tend to hold a negatively distorted view of themselves, and often convey thoughts that are highly critical about their body and overall appearance. This results in feelings of anxiety, disgust and shame, which may lead the individual to control their weight even further.
The more the patient can challenge and eventually change their obsessively self-critical thoughts, the less shame and anxiety they’ll experience. During Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, patients learn to tolerate negative emotion, solve problems, manage stress and become more aware of themselves.
Inpatient and partial hospital program.
During this course of the program, patients receive intensive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the Center for Eating Disorder environment, in groups and during individual psychotherapy sessions. Licensed psychologists and psychology post-doctoral fellows provide the following cognitive behavioral-based group therapies: Standard CBT, Body Image CBT, DBT Skills Training, Self-Esteem, Motivation to Change, Journaling and Trauma. (DBT stands for Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: it is similar to CBT but includes some basic life skills training that teaches patients basic coping strategies so that they can successfully implement CBT techniques.)
During individual therapy, psychologists meet with patients twice a week to focus on their specific conflicts and problems. All patients receive individual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy directed at controlling symptoms and managing impulses and negative emotions.
The right therapy for each patient.
After the individual therapists determine the proper course of therapy, the patient is steered along the path that will help them the most. The five therapy paths include: managing symptoms, body image and self-esteem, motivating change, interacting with others and controlling emotion. The goal is to provide effective, focused therapy that’s right for each individual.
Outpatient treatment
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is offered as a 12-week series for both adolescents and adults. These are highly structured, problem-oriented groups that include three major components: behavior change, cognitive modification and relapse prevention.
During the first few weeks (the behavioral phase), we utilize a variety of strategies to establish a normal eating pattern. During the next period (the cognitive phase), patients learn to identify and challenge distorted thinking and beliefs. We focus on thoughts relating to problems with perfectionism, self-esteem, body image and managing emotion. Finally, during the third phase of group therapy, the individual learns to guard against and handle relapse.
The intensive outpatient program.
Patients participate in group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy each day of treatment (4 days per week). It’s here that they develop and practice cognitive and behavioral skills. Since patients are functioning on their own for a significant part of the day, we strongly emphasize training that helps them cope and solve problems.
At every level of care, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy stresses education and skills training to help the patient gain a thorough understanding of themselves and their eating disorder, so they can change and recover.
Take a virtual tour to learn more about behavioral therapy at The Center for Eating Disorders.
