Exposure Therapy for Eating Disorders

Exposure Therapy for Eating Disorders is designed to augment existing eating disorder treatment manuals by providing clinicians with practical advice for maximizing the effectiveness of exposure, regardless of clinical background or evidence-based treatment used. Suitable for use with a range of diagnoses, this easy-to-use guide describes the most up to date empirical research on exposure for eating disorders, extrapolating clinical advice from the anxiety disorders literature in order to help busy clinicians become more effective in treating these challenging illnesses. Readers will gain solid understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of exposure therapy, as well as how to utilize this information to explain the rationale for exposure to patients. Specific types of eating disorder exposure are covered in detail, including exposure to food and eating, cue exposure for binge eating, weighing and weight exposure, novel forms of exposure for eating disorders, and more. The book also provides strategies for overcoming obstacles, including institutional resistance to implementation of exposure therapy.

Carolyn Black Becker, PhD, ABPP is a Professor of Psychology at Trinity University, San Antonio, TX and a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in the treatment of PTSD, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders.

Nicholas R. Farrell, PhD is the clinical director of eating disorders services at Rogers Behavioral Health in Oconomowoc, WI. He has expertise in evidence-based psychological treatments, particularly those that emphasize exposure therapy for eating and anxiety disorders.

Glenn Waller, DPhil is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Sheffield, UK. His clinical and academic specialty is evidence-based CBT for eating disorders.

Foreword

Preface: Exposure Therapy as a Key Evidence-Based Treatment Strategy for Eating Disorders

Part 1: The Theoretical Basis of Exposure Therapy for Eating Disorders

Chapter 1: Eating Disorders: An Overview

Chapter 2: Overview of Exposure Therapy

Chapter 3: Why do People get Better with Exposure Therapy?

Chapter 4: Why Exposure for Eating Disorders: A Rationale for Treatment?

Chapter 5: How well does Exposure Therapy Work for Eating Disorders?

Part 2: Preparing to Start Exposure Therapy

Chapter 6: Functional Assessment of Eating Disorders and their Maintenance

Chapter 7: Explaining Exposure Therapy to your Patients

Chapter 8: Planning Exposure Therapy with your Patient

Chapter 9: Embarking on Exposure: Important Considerations

Part 3: Applying Exposure to Different Eating Disorder Problem Areas

Chapter 10: Exposure to Food and Eating

Chapter 11: Cue Exposure for Binge Eating

Chapter 12: Weighing and Weight Exposure

Chapter 13: Body Image Exposure

Chapter 14: Emotion-focused and Interpersonal Exposure

Chapter 15: Novel Ways to Use Exposure for Eating Disorders

Part 4: Important Considerations in the Delivery of Exposure

Chapter 16: When to use Cognitive Therapy Techniques to Enhance the Effects of Exposure

Chapter 17: Involving Friends, Family, and Other Loved Ones

Chapter 18: Addressing the Impact of Different Settings and Institutional Resistance

Chapter 19: Dealing with Clinicians' Fears about Using Exposure

Chapter 20: Final Summary: Exposure Therapy in the Treatment of Eating Disorders