Specialist supportive clinical management for anorexia nervosa

This article presents the rationale for, and description of, a nonspecialized therapy for anorexia nervosa, called specialist supportive clinical management (SSCM).

Clinical management and supportive psychotherapy models of treatment are outlined. SSCM is described, as it was delivered in a clinical trial of psychotherapies for adult women with anorexia nervosa.

The primary focus of SSCM for anorexia nervosa is the resumption of normal eating and the restoration of weight. Therapy aims to maintain a therapeutic relationship that facilitates the return to normal eating, and to enable other life issues that may impact on the eating disorder to be addressed.

Possible effective components of SSCM are discussed.