Treatment

The first step in treatment is a specialist assessment, carried out by one or two members of the team.

The assessment will last approximately one hour. You will be asked about how the eating disorder developed, the impact that this has on your life and your goals or aims for treatment.

Your weight and height will also be recorded along with other physical checks where required. This information will enable us to provide you with the appropriate treatment. We will also send you an information sheet and some questionnaires to complete before your assessment appointment.

In line with the Care Programme Approach, we work alongside you, carers and other professionals involved in your care in order to promote recovery and best manage the risks to your physical and mental health. Your care-co-ordinator will liaise with all parties involved in your treatment and arrange regular reviews of your treatment and care plan to ensure that your needs are being met.

Your individual needs will determine what input you have from the team and the frequency of this input.

Psychological treatment

A range of psychological treatments are available including (and not limited to) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, psycho-education and Systemic Therapy. The choice of therapy will depend on your individual needs.

The number and frequency of sessions will be decided with your therapist. The sessions will usually be time limited and aim to create and facilitate change within a supportive therapeutic environment.

Dietary advice

In order to support your recovery, it is likely that changes will need to be made to your eating patterns and diet. The team is able to offer support and guidance about meal plans, portion guidelines and nutrition. The specialist dietician is also available to see individuals where required.

Occupational therapy

The occupational therapist and technical instructors offer a range of services which can support the individual in a number of areas such as meal planning, meal preparation, shopping and eating out. Individuals can often feel very uncomfortable in addressing these areas. However, staff will support you and assist you in developing new skills which will equip you in managing these areas.

Advice, support and monitoring

Through drawing on professional training, experience and input from the multi-disciplinary team, your practitioner is able to offer specialist advice and support in relation to your eating disorder. Through working in collaboration with your GP and CHMT, you physical needs are also monitored and addressed.

Care-planning and risk assessments

Your practitioner will work with you to identify your treatment needs, goals and plan your course of treatment. This collaborative approach is also significant to the assessment and monitoring of risk and in supporting you to minimise risk.

Confidentiality

The team are committed to maintaining the confidentiality of your care and treatment. However, we are also duty bound to share information with other health professionals involved in your care. In these instances, we endeavour to discuss this with you first and make every effort to treat the information with the upmost respect in order to maintain your dignity. The issue of confidentiality will be discussed further with you by your clinician. Individuals can often find the involvement of family or carers helpful to their treatment. We will discuss this option with you.

Page last reviewed: 3 April, 2023