Evidence‐based implementation practices applied to the intensive treatment of eating disorders: Summary of research and illustration of principles using a case example

• Published in: Clinical psychology (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2018-03, Vol.25 (1), p.e12221-n/a
• Main Authors: Thompson‐Brenner, Heather, Brooks, Gayle E., Boswell, James F., Espel‐Huynh, Hallie, Dore, Rachel, Franklin, Dee R., Gonçalves, Alex, Smith, Melanie, Ortiz, Shelby, Ice, Susan, Barlow, David H., Lowe, Michael R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Eating disorders; evidence‐based implementation; evidence‐based psychotherapy; residential treatment
• ISSN: 0969-5893; 1468-2850
• DOI: 10.1111/cpsp.12221

Implementation of evidence‐based practices (EBPs) in intensive treatment settings poses a major challenge in the field of psychology. This is particularly true for eating disorder (ED) treatment, where multidisciplinary care is provided to a severe and complex patient population; almost no data exist concerning best practices in these settings. We summarize the research on EBP implementation science organized by existing frameworks and illustrate how these practices may be applied using a case example. We describe the recent successful implementation of EBPs in a community‐based intensive ED treatment network, which recently adapted and implemented transdiagnostic, empirically supported treatment for emotional disorders across its system of residential and day‐hospital programs. The research summary, implementation frameworks, and case example may inform future efforts to implement evidence‐based practice in intensive treatment settings.