Assessment and treatment

We are a community-based outpatient service who offer treatment to individuals with a range of eating disorders across Buckinghamshire.

The first step in treatment is a specialist assessment, carried out by one of our clinicians. When you are referred to us by your GP or other health professional, you will be offered an appointment for initial assessment.

You will be sent an appointment letter.. The assessment usually lasts for an hour and a half and you are encouraged to bring a friend/relative with them if you wish. You will be asked about what problems you are struggling with, what led up to this, and how this has an impact on your life. Your weight and height will also be recorded and we will ask about your goals for treatment. This will enable us to provide you and others involved with your care with the appropriate recommendations and treatment.

You will meet with your allocated worker regularly to review your care and set your personal goals. We offer a range of NICE recommended treatments, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT-E), Maudsley Model of Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults (MANTRA), Guided Self-Help (GSH). Individual and group therapy can be offered. We are able to meet face to face and virtually. The frequency of your sessions will depend on you individual needs. All of our clinicians are experienced in working with people with eating disorders.

In addition to psychological therapy, you may also be offered a nutritional assessment and dietary advice from our specialist dietician. Also, you may be offered some practical sessions at home with our community worker, to work on practicing meal planning and food shopping. When there are physical health or medication concerns that cannot be addressed by your GP, you may be offered a review appointment with our consultant psychiatrist.

FREED
First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders or FREED is a preventative, evidence-based care package for 18 to 25-year-olds who have had early signs of an eating disorder for three years or less. The rapid intervention model enables quick treatment before symptoms worsen, helping young people to easily access treatment and recover more quickly. The goal is for treatment to start within four weeks of referral to an eating disorder service.