Description of the Strategy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for eating disorders is a short-term, semistructured approach in which the therapist and client work collaboratively to address problematic thoughts and behaviors. When treating an individual who has an eating disorder, the therapist first completes a thorough assessment of the client's symptoms and background. Treatment begins by introducing the cognitive model of eating disorders. According to the cognitive model, the core psychopathology in eating disorders is a dysfunctional self-evaluation that is overly negative and based almost entirely upon body shape, weight, and ability to control eating. Overvaluation of appearance and weight contribute to an intense fear of fat, which leads to extreme and rigid dieting.

The cognitive model identifies dieting as a primary cause of binge ...