[Intensive outpatient group treatment for adolescents with eating disorders]

We present an intensive outpatient group treatment for girls with eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder) additionally to/instead of inpatient treatment or individually treatment by psychotherapists. The therapy concept is primarily behaviour therapy oriented, encouraging the self-management-abilities of the patients thereby learning self-determination and responsibility in dealing with their illness. The slow-open group concept provokes group cohesion, solidarity and support among girls, who share similar age-related development-stages and eating disorders. Other than cognitive behaviour therapy and the principles of self-management we use client-centered therapy, art-, dance- and nutritional therapy. For each patient an individual treatment plan is adapted depending on age, individual symptoms, problems and motivation. Each member of the group has to accept defined group rules during the group sessions. The group takes place twice a week and on one Saturday per month. The adolescents stay in their social environment. Transfer of therapeutic success into daily life therefore is immediate and longlasting. Duration of therapy is between four months and one year, longer only in complex cases. Parallel to the parent/patient cooperation a parental psycho-educative group is available.