Evidence-based implementation practices applied to the intensive treatment of eating disorders: Summary of research and illustration of principles using a case example

Abstract

Implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in intensive treatment settings poses a major challenge in the field of psychology. This is particularly true for eatingdisorder (ED) treatment, where multidisciplinary care is provided to a severeand complex patient population; almost no data exist concerning best practices ithese settings. We summarize the research on EBP implementation science organizedby existing frameworks and illustrate how these practices may be appliedusing a case example. We describe the recent successful implementation of EBPin a community-based intensive ED treatment network, which recently adaptedand implemented transdiagnostic, empirically supported treatment for emotionaldisorders across its system of residential and day-hospital programs. The researchsummary, implementation frameworks, and case example may inform future effortsto implement evidence-based practice in intensive treatment settings.