Therapeutic alliance and anorexia nervosa treatment outcomes: experiences of young people and their families

Treatments for Anorexia Nervosa (AN) provided early in the onset of the illness lead to better outcomes. Despite the treatment approach used, the therapeutic alliance may be instrumental in successful outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore the young people and their families’ experiences of the illness, and their access to and satisfaction with the services received. Of particular interest was their view of the working alliance with their therapist/s. Participants were interviewed by telephone using a semi-structured questionnaire. Family Based Treatment (FBT) or the Maudsley was found superior to other treatments with regard to physical markers of recovery, satisfaction with the services and therapy received, as well as the strength of the therapeutic alliance. All the interviewees stressed the need for more research, education, accessibility and flexibility of services and increased support for both the young people and their families