FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Academy for Eating Disorders                                                                                

Elissa Myers

(703) 626-9087

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.aedweb.org

The Treatment Plenary at the International Conference on Eating Disorders to address the evidence for short-term treatments for eating disorders (plenary co-chairs: Karina Allen, Ph.D., MPsych. (Clinical), and Judy Krasna)

Newswise — Reston, VA, March 7, 2019 - Current evidence indicates that short-term eating disorder treatments may achieve similar results to longer term therapies. This reflects, in part, a non-linear relationship between treatment length and treatment outcomes, with benefits dropping off rapidly after an initial therapy dose. In addition, early symptom change is one of the strongest predictors of longer-term outcomes in cognitive behavioral therapy and family-based therapy: if early reductions in symptoms do not occur, additional treatment may offer little benefit. The treatment plenary at the 2019 International Conference on Eating Disorders (ICED) will summarize work on treatment duration and treatment outcomes, and consider the role of short-term therapies for eating disorders.

The plenary will open with a presentation by Dr. Michael Barkham (Professor of Psychology at The University of Sheffield, UK) on how treatment duration relates to symptom improvement in the psychotherapy literature generally. Dr. Glenn Waller (Professor of Psychology at The University of Sheffield, UK) will then review the evidence for short-term cognitive-behavioral therapy for eating disorders. Dr. Ivan Eisler (Professor of Family Psychology and Family Therapy and Joint Head of the Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders Service at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK) will consider how different treatment lengths may work for different adolescents and their families, and in what context(s). The plenary will conclude with remarks by discussant Dr. Tracey Wade (Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor in the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Australia). Dr. Wade will reflect on key points from the presentations and consider how we can work to provide eating disorder treatment as quickly and effectively as possible.

ICED 2019 will be hosted by the Academy of Eating Disorders (AED), March 14-16, 2019 in New York, New York. More information about the ICED 2019 program is accessible on the AED website (www.aedweb.org).

ABOUT

The Academy for Eating Disorders (AED) is an international professional association committed to the leadership in eating disorders research, education, treatment, and prevention. The goal of the AED is to provide global access to knowledge, research, and best treatment practice for eating disorders. For additional information, please contact Elissa Myers at (703) 626-9087 and visit the AED website at www.aedweb.org.

 

Meeting Link: 2019 International Conference on Eating Disorders (ICED)