Drama therapy and CBT : an integrative approach in treating anorexia nervosa

This research paper is comprised of an extensive literature review outlining the nature of Anorexia Nervosa, followed by an exploration of the current treatments used to address the disorder. The literature suggests that among the forms of intervention used for Anorexia Nervosa, which include Family Therapy, Arts Therapies, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, the latter seems to be a consistent choice for the treatment of this eating disorder. Furthermore, relatively new research by Fairburn, Cooper and Shafran, (2002) indicates that there are four mechanisms that contribute to the continuation of Eating Disorders: clinical perfectionism, core low self-esteem, mood intolerance, and interpersonal difficulties. They further argue that since Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and EDNOS share common psychopathologies that this theory is transdiagnostic and applies to all of them. It is argued that although beneficial, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy has the tendency to over intellectualize problems (Matto, 1997), which is why this paper proposes an integrated approach that involves addressing the four maintaining mechanisms through Drama Therapeutic techniques. The intention of this program design, which takes place over the course of 20 sessions, is to combine a cognitive approach, with one that uses drama to access deeper emotional content, in hopes of providing the patient with a well rounded therapeutic intervention that will help in her outpatient recovery process