Compassion-Focused Therapy and Eating Disorders

The incidence of eating disorders in Western cultures is high while the efficacy of treatments recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence are limited. Compassion-focused therapy for eating disorders was initially developed to improve patient recovery. Further advancements led to the development of CFT-E2 as a comprehensive eating disorder intervention. Along with eating disorder beliefs and behaviors, CFT-E2 aims to address shame and self-criticism which are central in the etiology, maintenance, and relapse of eating disorders. This chapter on CFT-E2 explores the following areas: the background and development of CFT-E and CFT-E2; the role of shame and self-criticism in eating disorders and how CFT-E2 address these issues; the current evidence base for CFT-E2 and who it is suitable for; the principles and stages of CFT-E2 treatment; and service users’ experiences for CFT-E2. Engagement with compassion can be demanding and complex for service users and their families, and these challenges are discussed. In summary, CFT-E2 is a relatively new therapy, and further research is required; however, preliminary studies suggest that it could become a treatment of choice for this population.