Developed by Dr. Christopher Fairburn, CBT-E is the abbreviation for “enhanced cognitive behavior therapy” and is the gold standard treatment for treating eating disorders.
The therapy is transdiagnostic, providing an evidence-based foundation that is then individualized for clients with symptoms of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and other disordered eating patterns. Research on the effectiveness of the model is robust, with CBT-E also effectively addressing perfectionism; low self-worth; and concerns about body size, weight and shape.
Originally developed as an outpatient treatment for adults, the model has been effectively adapted to treat younger people, as well as provide effective intensive intervention at higher levels of care.