Treatment for Eating Disorders
What is an Eating Disorder?
An Eating Disorder can be defined as a change to someones thoughts, behaviours, emotions and attitudes towards food, eating, weight and body image that negatively impacts level of functioning. An Eating Disorder impacts both physical and mental health.
Eating Disorder Treatment Plan (EDP):
An EDP is an eating disorder treatment plan that allows you to access up to 40 medicare rebated sessions per calendar year with a Psychologist.
An EDP treatment plan can be obtained from a medical practitioner, such as your General Practitioner (GP), Paediatrician, or Psychiatrist. You will then be eligible for a medicare rebate of $96.65 per session. Your plan will be eligible for 12months from the date of completion.
After the initial 10 appointments are completed, you will be required to attend a review with your referring medical professional before commencement of the following 10 appointments.
To receive the final 20 appointments, you will be required to attend an appointment with a Psychiatrist for a review. It is recommended to confirm that the Psychiatrist is experienced with completing the EDP review plan prior to attending the appointment, as not all Psychiatrists are experienced with this. It is important to note that you are eligible to attend the Psychiatrist review appointment between sessions 11-20.
In order to be eligible for an EDP you must meet formal criteria for a diagnosis of;
1) Anorexia Nervosa (AN) or
2) Bulimia Nervosa (BN), Binge Eating Disorder (BED) or Otherwise Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED).
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E):
CBT-E is an enhanced form of CBT therapy designed specifically to treat the psychopathology associated to eating disorders, regardless of the specific diagnosis. CBT-E is a structured approach encompassing four distinct stages. The therapy includes identification of thoughts and beliefs that perpetuate the disordered eating behaviours.
Hub psychology can offer CBT-E intervention for those who experience an eating disorder or present with disordered eating behaviours.
