Cognitive Behavioural-Therapy – Enhanced (CBT-E)

What is CBT-E?

Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - Enhanced (CBT-E) is a manualised psychological treatment that is “transdiagnostic”. This means that it is designed to address the key features of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorders and other specified feeding and eating disorders. CBT-E focuses on addressing the characteristic disruptions in eating habits and attitudes to shape and weight that keep an eating disorder in place. CBT-E has four stages, beginning with developing a mutual understanding of the person's eating problem and helping them modify and stabilise their pattern of eating. CBT-E is individualised in that the therapist creates a specific version of CBT-E to match the exact eating problem the person receiving treatment is experiencing. Targets of the treatment include personalised education, addressing concerns about body shape, weight and eating; enhancing the ability to deal with day-to-day events and moods; and addressing dietary restraint. CBT-E ends with a focus on dealing with setbacks and maintaining the changes that have been obtained.

How long does CBT-E last for? approximately 20-40 sessions. Your therapist will discuss predicted treatment duration with you.

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  • CBT-E is one of the most well-researched and effective psychological treatments for eating disorders. It has a strong evidence base for adults and adolescents with conditions including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and OSFED. Rather than focusing only on food, CBT-E helps address the thoughts, emotions and behaviours that keep an eating disorder going, supporting lasting recovery and improved quality of life.

  • While both therapies are based on cognitive behavioural principles, CBT-E (Enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) was specifically developed to treat eating disorders. Unlike standard CBT, which is often used for anxiety or depression, CBT-E focuses on the patterns that maintain eating disorders, such as restrictive eating, binge eating, purging, body image concerns, perfectionism and rigid food rules.

    CBT-E also places greater emphasis on establishing regular eating patterns, addressing the overvaluation of weight and shape, and building long-term recovery from eating disorder behaviours. It is an evidence-based treatment tailored specifically to the unique challenges of eating disorders.

  • CBT-E is a structured, collaborative therapy that helps you understand what is keeping your eating disorder going and develop practical strategies to change it. Together, we'll work to establish more regular eating patterns, reduce eating disorder behaviours, challenge unhelpful thoughts about food, weight and body image, and build skills to cope with difficult emotions without relying on the eating disorder.

    As therapy progresses, the focus shifts from symptom reduction to strengthening confidence, preventing relapse and supporting a meaningful, sustainable recovery. CBT-E is always tailored to individual needs, goals and circumstances.

  • Both CBT-E (Enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) and SSCM (Specialist Supportive Clinical Management) are evidence-based treatments for eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa. The best approach depends on your needs, preferences and treatment goals.

    CBT-E is a structured, skills-based therapy that helps identify and change the thoughts and behaviours maintaining an eating disorder. It includes practical strategies such as establishing regular eating, reducing eating disorder behaviours, addressing perfectionism and body image concerns, and developing relapse prevention skills.

    SSCM is a more flexible, person-centred approach that combines supportive psychotherapy with guidance around nutrition and weight restoration. Rather than following a set treatment structure, SSCM focuses on building a strong therapeutic relationship, exploring the issues most important to you, and supporting recovery at a pace that feels collaborative and achievable.

    At recoverED Clinic, we offer both CBT-E and SSCM and work with you to choose the approach that best fits your presentation. Some people benefit from a highly structured treatment like CBT-E, while others find the flexibility and supportive nature of SSCM better suit their recovery journey. Treatment can also be adapted over time as your needs change.

  • CBT-E is designed to treat a wide range of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, OSFED (Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder) and many forms of disordered eating. It can also help people who feel preoccupied with food, weight or body image, even if they don't have a formal diagnosis.

    Because CBT-E targets the underlying processes that maintain eating disorders, rather than focusing on a specific diagnosis, it can be adapted to meet your individual needs and recovery goals.