Specialist supportive clinical management for anorexia nervosa

Objective: This article presents the rationale for, and description of, a nonspecialized therapy for anorexia nervosa, called specialist supportive clinical management (SSCM). Method: Clinical management and supportive psychotherapy models of treatment are outlined. SSCM is described, as it was delivered in a clinical trial of psychotherapies for adult women with anorexia nervosa. Results: The primary focus of SSCM for anorexia nervosa is the resumption of normal eating and the restoration of weight.Therapy aims to maintain a therapeutic relationship that facilitates the return to normal eating, and to enable other life issues that may impact on the eating disorder to be addressed. Conclusion: Possible effective components of SSCM are discussed. (c) 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.