Meta-Emotion Therapy for Complex Trauma and Binge Eating: A Case Study

Abstract

Objective: There is a lack of evidence guiding treatment guidelines for individuals with comorbid complex posttraumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) and binge eating disorder (BED). The article aims to present preliminary evidence to support the proof of concept of novel therapy termed meta-emotion therapy (MET) that targeted maladaptive beliefs about emotions, for this specific comorbidity. Method: The single case study design involved a 35-year-old woman with a comorbid diagnosis of C-PTSD and BED, stemming from a history of childhood maltreatment, receiving 14 sessions of MET. Outcome measures related to PTSD symptoms, posttraumatic cognitions, BED cognitions and behavior, distress, and negative beliefs about emotions were assessed at initial assessment (baseline), pretreatment, posttreatment, and 1-month follow-up. Results: The participant had a reliable and significant decrease in PTSD symptoms, posttraumatic cognitions, disordered eating symptoms, distress, and negative beliefs about emotions at posttreatment. Participant feedback supported the positive perception of the treatment. Conclusion: The findings of this study provide promising evidence to support the potential effectiveness of MET as an intervention for adults with comorbid C-PTSD and BED. Further research in the form of larger intervention trials is warranted to investigate the efficacy and long-term outcomes of MET in this population.