Family Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa With Emerging Adults: A Retrospective Case Series in Routine Clinical Care

ABSTRACT Aim To broaden treatment options for emerging adults with anorexia nervosa we explored the applicability of an adapted Family Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa (FT‐AN‐EA) in a routinely collected outpatient case series. Method Thirty emerging adults (aged 18–25) diagnosed with anorexia nervosa or atypical anorexia nervosa were recruited and agreed to participate in FT‐AN‐EA. Participant demographics, treatment characteristics (treatment duration, number of sessions, treatment non‐completion, need for inpatient care) and body mass index (BMI) at assessment and discharge were collected. Results The series comprised of 21 new referrals to the adult eating disorder service and 9 age‐related transitions from child and adolescent services (CAEDS). Two patients were classified as early non‐completers (attending four sessions or less of FT‐AN‐EA). In the treatment‐completers group ( n = 28), mean duration of treatment was 10 months (22 sessions). 20 completers (71.4%) restored weight to BMI > 18.5 kg/m 2 at discharge. 24 completers (85.7%) were discharged to no further care (general practitioner [GP] only), two (7.1%) were referred onto other interventions and two (7.1%) were admitted to inpatient care. Conclusion This case series provides preliminary evidence for the applicability of adapted FT‐AN for emerging adults with anorexia nervosa. Further studies, under more controlled conditions, are needed to establish its efficacy and identify optimal treatment adaptations for this population.