Note: we sent out some previously incorrect information about FUSED in a newsletter dated 24/2/21. The service continues to offer treatment for eating disorders. Please read further.
TREATMENT FOR EATING DISORDERS
The Flinders University Services for Eating Disorders (FUSED) is offering free evidence-based treatment for eating disorders, as part of a study they are conducting. The treatment has been evaluated extensively in Australia and the United Kingdom, and has been shown to substantially decrease disordered eating, depression and anxiety, and improve quality of life. To be eligible you must be at least 15 years old, have a body mass index of 18.5 or above, and be willing for the therapist to communicate with your general practitioner. Treatment is available to everyone who meets these eligibility criteria – not just Flinders University students.
What does treatment involve?
The treatment is brief and focused. There are four sessions in the first instance which can be extended to ten sessions if you are benefitting. Sessions are one-on-one, weekly, 50 minutes in length, and are all held on campus in Social Sciences North. Treatment is provided by provisional psychologists (postgraduate clinical psychology students) who are receiving expert supervision. Appointment times are flexible and can be negotiated with your assigned therapist. There are also 1- and 3-month follow up appointments. Being involved in the study simply means you consent to questionnaire data being used in a confidential, de-identified way for research.
Sessions 1-4 – Learning and changing eating
Learning about the impact of food on your mood, sensations of fullness, and reasons for bulimic behaviours and weight change. Working towards eating regularly and enough. Making predictions about whether dietary changes will impact your weight and/or behaviours and testing these predictions.
Sessions 3-7 – Challenging beliefs about eating, food and weight
Identifying beliefs about eating, weight, and shape. Considering evidence for and against these beliefs. Exploring ‘safe’ and ‘feared’ foods. Reintroducing feared foods and testing whether feared outcomes occurs.
Sessions 6-9 – Body image work
Exploring behaviours that maintain body image problems (e.g., avoidance, mind-reading, comparison, and checking). Targeting behaviours that maintain body image problems using techniques such as surveys, mirror exposure, and rescripting hurtful body memories.
Sessions 9-10 – Relapse prevention
Developing a plan to maintain progress and identify and respond to signs that you are slipping back into eating disorder thoughts and/or behaviours.
Where can I get more information?
Please contact FUSED: fused@flinders.edu.au
| This research project has been approved by the Flinders University Social and Behavioural Research Ethics Committee in South Australia (Project number 8613). For queries regarding the ethics approval of this project please contact the Executive Officer of the Committee via telephone on +61 8 8201 3116 or email human.researchethics@flinders.edu.au |