Advanced Brief Strategic Therapy For Young People With Anorexia Nervosa

This important new book details a strategic and systemic model for short-term therapy with adolescent sufferers of anorexia nervosa, a psychopathology that seduces patients into starvation as doctors and family look on with increasing desperation. Supported by the successful treatment of hundreds of cases over the past 30 years, the book is the culmination of a long-term intervention programme developed at the Strategic Therapy Centre of Arezzo, Italy. It begins by outlining the range of different eating disorders, before identifying the specific characteristics that adolescents with anorexia present. The variations of the pathology are then discussed. Not all patients present with the same symptoms; some sufferers over-exercise while others binge eat or self-harm. Substance abuse is also common, either with diuretics or chemicals; others self-induce vomiting. The therapeutic strategy will, of course, differ for each patient. Accessibly written throughout, the book concludes with two cases studies – complete with full transcripts – which illustrate the therapeutic process that allowed the patient to change their patterns of thinking, and the accompanying behaviours. An insightful and invaluable work on this vital topic, the book will be essential reading for any professional working with adolescents presenting with anorexia, as well as the families of sufferers.

Young people develop anorexia because they are unhappy. In the process of becoming anorexic they silence themselves and distance themselves from parental support. Family therapy can help patients by improving their communication with their parents. Therapists can support parents in helping their children to find their voices. This book presents a review of the research evidence that has guided the development of family therapy for young people with anorexia. In addition, it presents the current evidence for a family model. A flexible model is proposed to meet different family scenarios and levels of treatment resistance. Greg Dring argues that the evidence indicates the need for an assertive approach to therapy, drawing on the full range of family therapy skills available, in order to re-instate a healthy relationship between parents and children. This book is intended for family therapists and other clinicians in Child and Mental Health Services who work with young people with anorexia.

Multifamily Therapy Group for Young Adults with Anorexia Nervosa describes a new and innovative family-centered outpatient Multifamily Therapy Group (MFTG) approach called Reconnecting for Recovery (R4R) for young adults with anorexia nervosa that is based on a relational reframing of eating disorders. Developed in concert with young adults and their families and informed by clinical observations, theory, and research, R4R is designed to help young adults and family members learn the emotional and relational skills required to avoid or repair relationship ruptures for continued collaboration in recovery. The book begins with an overview of anorexia nervosa, MFTG treatment approaches, and the development of R4R and moves into a session by session review of R4R including session goals, exercises and handouts. Protocols, case vignettes, and other materials help translate the theory and research underlying this multifamily therapy group model into practice. This treatment manual provides readers with explicit guidance in how to develop and conduct an outpatient R4R MFTG and a deeper understanding of the nature, purposes, and processes that characterize one.

Multi-Family Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa is a treatment manual that details an empirically supported and innovative treatment for this disorder. This book provides a detailed description of the theory and clinical practice of MFT-AN. The treatment draws on the Maudsley Family Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa model as well as integrating other psychological and group frameworks. Part I details the theoretical concepts, MFT-AN structure, content and implementation, including clinically rich and detailed guidance on group facilitation, therapeutic technique and troubleshooting when the group process encounters difficulties. Part III provides step-by-step instructions for the group activities in the initial four-day intensive workshop and for the subsequent follow-up days that occur over a further six to eight months. The book will serve as a practical guide for both experienced and new clinicians working with children and adolescents with eating disorders and their families, in utilising multi-family therapy in their clinical practice.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Eating Disorders in Young People is a state-of-the-art guide for parents based on enhanced cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT-E), one of the most effective treatments for eating disorders and recently adapted for adolescents. Part I presents the most current facts on eating disorders. Part II provides parents with guidance on how to support their child’s recovery. The book will be of interest to parents of teenagers with eating disorders treated with CBT-E and also for clinicians using CBT-E with young patients.

Family Based Treatment for Restrictive Eating Disorders unpacks some of the most common dilemmas providers face in implementation of Family Based Treatment (FBT) across the spectrum of restrictive eating disorders. Directed towards advanced clinicians and supervisors, this manual is rooted in the assumption that true fidelity requires ongoing self-reflection and an understanding of the nuances involved in translating manualized interventions into rich clinical practice. Combining the key tenets of FBT with the best practices in supervision, it provides a framework to support each phase of the treatment process. Each chapter contains a wealth of resources, including clinical vignettes, a treatment fidelity measure, and other useful tools to assist both supervisors and advanced clinicians in becoming expert FBT practitioners.

The fourth edition of this book builds on the expertise of the previous editions. It offers knowledge and understanding of a challenging patient group with a clinical and research focus.

Brief Therapy Conversations features stimulating discussions between two international experts about essential topics, including the importance of the therapeutic relationship, the role of diagnosis, the therapist’s mindset, specific techniques and guiding logics, therapist development, and likely future trends. It explores a wide range of literature and ideas on brief therapy and single-session therapy. For those interested in time-sensitive treatment, several expanded journal articles are included that provide additional insights into ways to improve therapeutic efficiency. Reader friendly and conversational in format, this book is essential reading for professionals involved in brief therapy research, teaching, and practice. .