Guided Self‐Help Treatment for Children and Young People With Eating Disorders: A Proof‐Of‐Concept Pilot Study

ABSTRACT Objective To conduct a proof‐of‐concept pilot study of a CBT guided self‐help intervention for children and young people with eating disorders. Method Children and young people were recruited from two outpatient eating disorder services in England. They received a CBT guided self‐help intervention consisting of eight modules and weekly support sessions. Clinical outcomes (eating disorder psychopathology and associated impairment, changes in %median BMI, depression, anxiety, and behavioural difficulties) were assessed at baseline and post‐intervention (12 weeks). Qualitative data were collected for future intervention refinement. Results Six female adolescents (aged 13–17) received the CBT guided self‐help intervention. All participants completed a minimum of six modules and six support sessions. Quantitative and qualitative feedback suggested that the intervention was acceptable. From baseline to post‐intervention, there was a reduction in eating disorder psychopathology and impairment, along with an increase in %median BMI. Outcomes for depression, anxiety and behavioural difficulties were mixed. Conclusions The CBT guided self‐help intervention was feasibly implemented, acceptable to participants, and showed potential to produce clinical benefits. While promising, these findings are preliminary and derived from a small, non‐randomised sample of White female adolescents. More rigorous evaluation with a randomised design and a larger, representative sample is warranted.