What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Enhanced (CBT-E)?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Enhanced, or CBT-E is one of most effective treatments we have today for the treatment of eating disorders. It is a Transdiagnostic method for the full range of eating disorders – anorexia, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and related body image conditions. It a targeted, time-limited treatment that lasts for 20 – 40 Sessions depending on severity of symptoms.

It was developed as an outpatient treatment for adults by Christopher Fairburn, MD, at the Credo-Oxford Institute in the U.K. Dr. Riccardo Dalle Graves, MD is the developer of the adapted version of CBT-E for Adolescents that utilizes family support. International research has shown the success and efficacy of CBT-E.

An important study compared CBT-E with interpersonal therapy (IPT), also a leading treatment for adults with an eating disorder. At post-treatment, 66% of the CBT-E participants were in remission from their eating disorder, compared to 33% of the IPT participants. Over the follow-up period, the CBT-E recovery rate remained higher than IPT (69 versus 49 percent).

The Four Stages of CBT-E

Embarking on CBT-E, begins with a full evaluation and exploration of one’s eating problems .CBT-E is a protocol that helps to develop a highly personalized road map to recovery. Collaboratively, CBT-E therapists and client create a formulation of the individual’s unique eating and body image problems. Treatment progresses through four distinct stages, to effectively identify and tackle the underlying thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that contribute to and sustain the eating disorder, such as food restriction or Binge/Purge Cycles. Treatment can include Exposure Work for “fear foods” , strategies for urges to binge or purge, and addressing underlying issues of negative body image, poor self-esteem, and clinical perfectionism.

Stage 1. Starting Well

Create your ED Formulation
Self-Monitoring
Importance of Regular Eating
Weight Concerns & Eating Behavior
2xWeek Sessions for Maximum Support

Stage 2: Taking Stock

Continued Self-Monitoring
Implementing Regular Eating
What Maintains Eating Problems
Identifying Triggers

Stage 3: Body Image & Eating

Over-Valuation of Shape & Weight
Feeling “Fat”
Body Checking/Body Avoidance
Comparison Making
Events, Moods, & Triggers
Self-Esteem/ Perfectionism

Stage 4: Ending Well

Weekly Sessions
Maintain Recovery
Improved Relationship with Food
Managing Day-to-Day Events Well
Develop Relapse Prevention Plan
Move toward Body Positivity

How do I begin?

Our team is dually and expertly trained in the Treatment of Eating Disorders and DBT for Mental Health. Our Evidenced-Based approaches include FBT, CBT-E, DBT-ED, and Comprehensive DBT for co-occurring mental health conditions. Our outpatient practice has helped Children, Teens and Adults achieve full Eating Disorder Recovery and Mental Health Stability for over 25 years.

1

Schedule your 15 minute free phone consultation

This phone screening is highly confidential to help determine if coming to the Resilience practice is the best course for you or your loved one.

2

Complete an Expert and Comprehensive Intake

During your intake appointment we will gather more information to identify your stressors and needs. And work with you to develop your resilience treatment plan.