Tailoring Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Binge Eating in Adolescent Girls

Whereas effective treatments exist for adults with recurrent binge eating, developmental factors specific to adolescents point to the need for a modified treatment approach for youth. We adapted an existing cognitive behavioral therapy treatment manual for adults with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder (Fairburn, 2008) for use with adolescents. This paper presents a number of clinical case vignettes, drawn directly from interactions with teen participants, that illustrate some of the developmental factors common to adolescents—as well as the importance of our adaptations to address for these factors.

► There is a need for treatment interventions to address the high prevalence of disordered eating throughout adolescence.
► Effective treatment approaches for adults with disordered eating behaviors may not account for developmental factors of special concern to adolescents.
► Adolescent adapted cognitive behavioral therapy is both effective and feasible for treating young adult females with recurrent binge eating.