Psychological therapies in anorexia nervosa

Abstract

Comments on the study by C. Dare et al (see record [rid]2001-11264-006[/rid]) that compared the effectiveness of 3 psychological treatments—psychoanalytic therapy (PT), family therapy (FT), and cognitive-analytic therapy (CAT)—for anorexia nervosa. The article did not make clear the differences between the study conditions other than the models of therapy. The experience and qualifications of therapists were stated for focal psychoanalytic therapy and family therapy but not for cognitive-analytic therapy (CAT), and one can only conclude that the CAT therapists were not trained or qualified in CAT. Also, the total contact hrs for each condition varied widely. The longer the contact hours the more impact the therapy. Perhaps the trial indicates that to treat moderately severe anorexia nervosa effectively, trained and experienced therapists and/or over 15 contact hrs (over 18 50-minute sessions) are required. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)