Try a group therapy program designed for eating disorder recovery

Recruiting

What is this trial?

This study is testing Group Schema Therapy (GST), a newer talking therapy for people with eating disorders like anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. Unlike standard eating disorder treatment, which focuses mainly on eating behaviors and symptoms, schema therapy digs deeper to address the underlying beliefs and emotional patterns that keep the disorder going. The trial will compare this new treatment to continuing the standard approach in people who haven't gotten better after the first phase of standard care.

Eating disorders are among the hardest psychiatric conditions to treat and often become long-lasting problems. Researchers have found that deep, negative core beliefs about yourself are often connected to why eating disorders are so difficult to overcome. While the standard first-line treatment works for many people, it doesn't work well for everyone—and there's a need to find better options for those who don't respond. This trial will test whether addressing these underlying beliefs through group therapy can help people who haven't benefited enough from standard treatment.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are 16 years or older
you have been diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or another eating disorder (such as atypical forms with lower frequency or shorter duration)
you have completed the first phase of standard cognitive-behavioral therapy for eating disorders without showing enough improvement
you are able to speak and read Dutch
you are willing to participate in group therapy sessions

You likely don't qualify if…

you are not able to speak or read Dutch
you are currently experiencing acute psychosis or severe psychotic symptoms
you have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder
you have an IQ below 80 as measured by a validated test
you showed significant improvement during the first phase of standard eating disorder therapy

What participation looks like

If you're selected for the new group therapy treatment, you would start with five one-on-one sessions to learn how the therapy works and understand your eating disorder patterns. Then you'd attend 26 weekly group sessions where you and others work together on recognizing and changing unhelpful coping patterns and building a healthier sense of self. There are also 8 optional individual sessions available if you need extra support, plus a webinar for family members. The whole program runs over several months and combines talking, guided experiences, and practical exercises.

Group Therapy Targeting Deep Beliefs in Eating Disorders

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(7 sites)