Long-term Cognitive-Interpersonal Group Therapy for Eating Disorders

There is a growing recognition that individuals with eating disorders can benefit from long-term group psychotherapy. This paper describes a cognitive-interpersonal framework for understanding aspects of the pathogenesis and persistence of anorexia nervosa and bulimia that are particularly relevant to the group context. Fundamental characteristics of an open-ended, cognitive-interpersonal eating disorders group are examined. Case illustrations are provided that exemplify the theoretical conceptualization. The relative efficacy of the long-term group, in contrast to the time-limited group, is underscored.