Sample interview questions: How do you approach therapy with clients who have a history of eating disorders?
Sample answer:
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Establish a Strong Therapeutic Alliance:
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Foster a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment to build trust and rapport.
- Actively listen to the client’s experiences, concerns, and goals.
- Demonstrate empathy, understanding, and validation.
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Maintain confidentiality and respect client autonomy.
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Comprehensive Assessment and Diagnosis:
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Conduct a thorough assessment to understand the client’s eating disorder history, current symptoms, co-occurring conditions, and underlying factors contributing to the disorder.
- Use standardized assessment tools and clinical interviews to gather relevant information.
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Diagnose the specific eating disorder subtype (e.g., anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, or other specified feeding or eating disorder) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria.
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Tailor Treatment to Individual Needs:
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Develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses the client’s unique needs, goals, and preferences.
- Consider factors such as the severity of the eating disorder, co-occurring conditions, and the client’s readiness for change.
- Utilize evidence-based treatment approaches that have demonstrated efficacy in treating eating disorders, such as:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): Focuses on identifying and changing maladaptive thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors related to eating and body image.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): Helps clients develop skills for managing emotions, interpersonal relationships, and distress tolerance.
- Family-based treatment (FBT): Involves the family in the treatment process to provide support and guidance.
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Maudsley family-based therapy (MBT): A specialized form of FBT for adolescents with ea… Read full answer