Le Grange and Lock have written an eminendy practical guide. Their approach emphasizes a positive view of parents, as agents in reestablishing healthy eating for adolescents with bulimia nervosa; of the family, as a resource for recovery; and of adolescents themselves, as competent and autonomous---except in relation to their disordered eating. Detailed case studies show how the therapist can model uncritical acceptance of the patient and separate the illness from the individual. This book belongs in the library of any professional who treats eating disorders.

Teenagers are twice as likely to have bulimia nerrosa than anorexia nervosa, and are often more motivated to seek help. Yet while well-tested therapies exist for anorexia, until now there has been a total lack of evidence-based treatment guidelines for bulimia. This state-of-the-art manual is the first to focus specifically on this significant clinical population. The authors present a time-limited bulimia treatment that is based on the proven Maudsley approach to treating anorexia, and that has been demonstrated effective in a controlled clinical trial at the University of Chicago.

The book begins by reviewing current knowledge on bulimia and its treatment. Highlighting similarities to and differences from anorexia, the authors discuss how they adapted the Maudsley approach to meet this population's unique needs.The core of the approach remains the same, however:. Parents and siblings play a key role in helping the adolescent recover. The authors illustrate how this collaboration takes place as they walk the dinician step by step through each of the three phases of therapy. Provided are workable strategies for involving the whole family in bringing binge eating and purging under control, addressing co-occurring psychological problems and parentchild relationship conflicts, and getting adolescent development back on track. Highly practical and user friendly, the book shows exactly how to carry out the approach and what to do when obstacles arise. Special features include assessment tools,annotated session transcripts, and answers to frequently asked questions.

One  Introduction and Background Information on Bulimia Nervosa

Two  Family-Based Treatment for Adolescent Bulimia Nervosa

Three Phase I: Initial Evaluation

Four  Session 1: The First Face-to-Face Meeting with the Family

Five  Session 1 in Action

Six  Session 2: The Family Meal

Seven Session 2 in Action

Eight The Remainder of Phase I (Sessions 3-10)

Nine  The Remainder of Phase I in Action

Ten  Phase II: Helping the Adolescent Eat on Her Own(Sessions 11-16)

Eleven  Phase II in Action

Twelve  Phase III: Adolescent Developmental Concerns(Sessions 17-20)

Thirteen Phase III in Action

Fourteen Summary of a Completed Case

References

Index