Specialist supportive clinical management for anorexia nervosa

OBJECTIVE: This article presents the rationale for, and description of, a nonspecialized therapy for anorexia nervosa, called specialist supportive clinical management (SSCM). METHOD: Clinical management and supportive psychotherapy models of treatment are outlined. SSCM is described, as it was delivered in a clinical trial of psychotherapies for adult women with anorexia nervosa. RESULTS: The primary focus of SSCM for anorexia nervosa is the resumption of normal eating and the restoration of weight. Therapy aims to maintain a therapeutic relationship that facilitates the return to normal eating, and to enable other life issues that may impact on the eating disorder to be addressed. CONCLUSION: Possible effective components of SSCM are discussed.