Cognitive-behavioural therapies for eating disorders: Not quite there yet

This seminar series brings experts together to explore the latest research, innovative treatment approaches and real-world applications in mental health care.

Join this second seminar in the series to hear from Glenn Waller, Professor of Psychology, University of Warwick.

Professor Waller will present his talk: 'Cognitive-behavioural therapies for eating disorders: Not quite there yet'

Abstract

In 2016, those working in the field of cognitive-behavioural therapy for eating disorders (CBT-ED) were told that all the necessary work was done, and that there was no need to bother with other therapies because what we had was as good as it would ever get. This presentation will address the (many) reasons that that conclusion could be considered premature, or just plain wrong.

In the talk he will detail recent evidence that CBT-ED can be delivered more efficiently without being less effective. But he will also sound a note of caution about assuming that ‘third wave’ cognitive-behavioural therapies are the direction that we need to travel. He will consider the role of therapist effects in limiting the generalisability of therapy outcomes, and the need to focus on other such non-therapy effects.

He will argue that future developments in CBT-ED need to be around: getting better at working with individuals who are underweight; the personalisation of therapy for those with a wide range of eating disorders; developing more effective and efficient treatments; competence rather than adherence; and dismantling studies that tell us what is needed to ensure that the therapy works.

Glenn Waller is Professor of Psychology at the University of Warwick, UK. His clinical and academic specialism is evidence-based CBT for eating disorders, with a particular emphasis on effective treatment in routine clinical settings. He has published over 370 peer-reviewed papers, 27 book chapters and six books in the field. He was an author on the CBT-T manual (2019), which resulted in the team being awarded the Academy for Eating Disorders Outstanding Clinician Award in 2020. He regularly presents workshops at national and international meetings. He is past president of the Academy for Eating Disorders and of the Eating Disorders Research Society, and is on the editorial boards of a number of journals relating to eating disorders and to CBT. He was a member of the NICE Eating Disorders Guideline Development Group, responsible for the 2017 update.

Academics, students and NHS professionals are welcome to attend.