Integrated Eating Disorder Treatment for Couples

Abstract

Due to the high prevalence of eating disorders in our society, it is important to continue to develop effective and creative treatment strategies for this population. Family therapy has been identified as an effective therapy for adolescents struggling with an eating disorder but there has been less investigation of family and couple treatments for adults with eating disorders. The authors summarize existing couple therapy approaches for eating disorders and then provide an integrated therapy approach for working with couples with at least one member who struggles with an eating disorder. Limitations of the therapy approach are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• couples
• eating disorders
• recovery