Delivering enhanced cognitive behaviour therapy among adolescents who have previously engaged in family-based treatment—Helping the transition from the disease model to the psychological model

Abstract

For young people with eating disorders (EDs), family-based therapy (FBT) is generally recommended as first-line treatment. Although there is an abundance of evidence demonstrating the efficacy of FBT, less than half of young people achieve full remission with this treatment. Enhanced cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT-E) is an established alternative to FBT, demonstrating effectiveness in individuals who have not achieved full remission with FBT. It is also recommended when family therapy is unacceptable, contraindicated, or ineffective. Despite some overlap—particularly in addressing maintaining factors and prioritising weight normalisation – the two treatments diverge significantly in conceptualisation of the eating disorder, proposed mechanisms of action, role of both young people and parents, and strategies and processes of therapy. These differences may contribute to one treatment being effective where the other has not, but can present challenges and difficulties for the young person, family and clinician when transitioning from FBT to CBT-E. In this paper, we provide guidance for clinicians delivering CBT-E with young people who have a history of FBT treatment. We highlight common issues encountered among this cohort, discuss how they can present a barrier to successful implementation of CBT-E, and describe solutions. Key learning aims: (1) To learn the commonly encountered barriers to treatment when implementing CBT-E for young people who have previously engaged in FBT. (2) To learn strategies to overcome these barriers focusing on the young person, parents and multi-disciplinary team. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)