Group-Delivered Enhanced Cognitive Behavior Therapy: A Focus on a Young Adult Woman With Bulimia Nervosa

Abstract

Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT-E) is an evidence-based treatment for bulimia nervosa (BN), which can be delivered individually or in a group format. This case study describes a young adult female’s progress through a CBT-E group program at an Australian community outpatient eating disorder service. She completed 20 sessions over 10 weeks. The client was administered measures for eating disorder symptoms, depression, anxiety, stress, stage of change, and clinical impairment at pre- and posttreatment. She improved on global eating disorder symptoms, food restriction, eating concern, and her stage of change. Her weight and shape concerns remained unchanged. Her levels of depression, anxiety, and stress significantly increased after treatment, highlighting the need for concurrent treatment for these comorbidities. These results support the developing literature on the efficacy of CBT-E for BN and describe in detail the progress of an individual, including their progress and challenges within a group intervention.