Eating Disorders: A Treatment Apart. The Unique Use of the Therapist's Self in the Treatment of Eating Disorders

Abstract

Treatment skills that serve general mental health practice, though applicable to eating disorder care, by themselves will not suffice to meet the uniquely pressing demands and requirements of treating these life-threatening disorders. Eating disorders adversely influence every aspect of human functioning, demanding a comprehensive and integrative approach to care. Because eating disorders disrupt the patient's relationship with self and others, the quality of the therapist's versatile and integrative use of self within the therapeutic relationship can become the single most significant intervention in achieving successful healing outcomes. The intensity of professional challenges within the treatment process reflects the urgency behind the patient's need to heal. Treatment efficacy is achieved through the therapist's commitment to a timely, intentional, and practicable fulfillment of clearly established goals, uniquely tailored to each patient and eating disorder. The self-integrated psychotherapist, as case manager, is required to manage a complex landscape of pathology and strengths, regression and healing, diverse professional and familial resources, transference and countertransfer-ence phenomena and, with skillful proficiency, traditional as well as nontraditional (neurophysiological) treatment interventions and approaches to care. This chapter highlights key elements in the therapist's V.I.A.B.L.E. (Versatile, Integrative, Action-oriented, outcome-Based, Loving, and Educative) use of self in facilitating the healing of the eating disordered patient and malnourished brain. Keywords: eating disorders and neurobiology, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, eating disorder treatment, eating disorder recovery, the eating disorder therapist's unique use of self, managing eating disorder resistance to healing, mindfulness in psychotherapy, the VIABLE eating disorder practitioner, family's role in eating disorder treatment, integrative psychotherapy, somatosensory education, neurophysiological treatment interventions, outpatient team in eating disorder treatment , milieu treatment for eating disorders, emotionally integrated therapist, psycho