Practice Considerations for Consultation-Liaison Psychologists Caring for Patients With Restrictive Eating Disorders

Objective: Medical admissions secondary to restrictive eating disorders (EDs) such as anorexia nervosa (AN) and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) have increased for youth in recent years (Feldman et al., 2023). Despite a clear need for psychological services when youth with restrictive EDs are admitted for medical stabilization, limited research or published guidelines exist regarding the role that consultation-liaison (CL) psychologists should play in such cases. This article seeks to provide practical and evidence-based recommendations for CL psychologists caring for youth admitted for health concerns secondary to restrictive EDs. Methods: The empirical literature regarding psychological treatments for AN and ARFID in more typical clinical settings is reviewed to identify evidence-based interventions for CL psychologists to utilize in the context of pediatric hospitalizations. Results: Recommendations include guidance on developing individualized behavior plans, engaging caregivers in psychoeducation and role induction related to changes needed at the family level, and conducting talk-based therapies (e.g., cognitive and supportive interventions) with hospitalized youth. Conclusions: CL psychologists have a wealth of evidence-based interventions at their disposal for improving the health and wellbeing of youth with restrictive EDs. Limitations within the current literature and recommendations for future directions are also discussed. Implications for Impact Statement Eating disorders commonly cause health problems for youth that can require hospitalization, but psychological treatments are usually performed outside of the hospital. This article evaluates treatment approaches that are most likely to be effective in the hospital setting and offers practical recommendations to psychologists for how to best care for youth when they are hospitalized with an eating disorder.