Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa

CBT protocols for patients with non-underweight eating disorders have advanced substantially in the past decade. In contrast, CBT for anorexia nervosa has not changed substantially over nearly two decades. Over that time, the research literature in the field of CBT has led to many potential directions for working with anorexia nervosa, and more rapidly than current protocols. This need to revisit the literature has led to the development of a new, 20-session protocol for low- to moderate-risk cases of anorexia nervosa - CBT-AN-20 (Waller, Eddy, Rose, Thomas, Turner & Wade, 2026). As with CBT-T, the aim is to ensure that this effective therapy is made widely accessible – for example, being delivered by junior team members under supervision, and with the support of online skills videos and therapy resources.

This workshop will detail the skills needed to deliver CBT-AN-20 in a flexible, patient-centred manner. It will address:

• The evidence to date for CBT-AN-20.

• The meta-competences needed to deliver any therapy effectively.

• Risk management.

• Formulation of anorexia nervosa.

• Reviewing motivation and progress, including working with the anorexic voice.

• The overlapping phases of the therapy, including: weight gain and stabilisation; emotional factors behind compulsive and impulsive behaviours; body image work; and ending therapy well.

• Considerations when working with individuals with neurodiversity, trauma effects, younger presentations, atypical presentations, etc.

Case material will be used throughout to illustrate the key skills, along with role-play videos.