Develop A Treatment Plan Using A Theoretical Perspective

Develop a Treatment Plan Using a Theoretical Perspective for Phoebe

After reading the case history about Phoebe, develop a treatment plan using one of the following theoretical perspectives to guide your treatment plan (cognitive-behavioral, family systems, interpersonal therapy, psychodynamic, purely cognitive, etc.), which have been introduced currently throughout the course. Make sure to identify which perspective you use and why you have chosen that particular perspective to guide your treatment plan for Phoebe. Next, provide a list of primary target behavior you plan to address in your treatment plan. Then explain why Phoebe may have developed her difficulties and which factor might have contributed to her developing Bulimia Nervosa. Finally, plan a treatment based on your chosen theoretical perspective to guide your treatment. The assignment is to be anywhere from 350 to 500 words. Please include the sources used, such as the text, and provide proper APA formatting for the citations and the references.

Paper For Above instruction

In formulating an effective treatment plan for Phoebe, I have chosen the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) perspective. The CBT approach is evidence-based and particularly effective for eating disorders like bulimia nervosa because it focuses on changing maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors that maintain the disorder (Fairburn et al., 2003). Given Phoebe’s obsessive focus on her weight, her perfectionist tendencies, and her cyclical binge-purge behaviors, CBT offers practical strategies to modify distorted cognitions related to body image and control, as well as behavioral techniques to address bingeing and purging episodes (Wilson & Fairburn, 2002).

The primary target behaviors in this treatment plan include reducing frequency of bingeing and purging episodes, challenging and restructuring distorted beliefs about body image and self-worth, and improving emotional regulation skills. These behaviors are directly linked to her bulimia diagnosis and maintaining factors in her condition. The treatment aims to foster healthier eating habits, develop coping mechanisms for managing guilt, anxiety, and perfectionism, and help Phoebe establish a more balanced self-esteem independent of her appearance or popularity (Rodgers et al., 2017).

Psychologically, Phoebe’s development of bulimia nervosa likely stems from a combination of social, familial, and individual factors. Her perfectionist personality and high achievement orientation suggest a predisposition toward distress when faced with perceived failure or loss of control. Her early concerns about weight, coupled with societal pressures to achieve an ideal body type, probably contributed to her restrictive eating behaviors. Her subsequent binge-purge cycle appears to serve as an emotional regulator, alleviating her guilt and anxiety temporarily. Family dynamics, such as high expectations or critical comments about appearance, may have reinforced her negative body image and dieting behaviors (Stice et al., 2000). The intense pressure to maintain an impeccable image and be 'perfect' in her social and academic life likely exacerbated her vulnerability to bulimia as a coping mechanism.

The CBT treatment plan would begin with psychoeducation about eating disorders, demystifying myths regarding body image and weight control. Cognitive restructuring techniques would target her maladaptive beliefs, such as “If I gain weight, I will lose everything that defines me.” Behavioral interventions would include establishing regular, balanced eating patterns to interrupt binge-purge cycles and practicing skills for managing urges, such as mindfulness and distress tolerance (Fairburn et al., 2003). Sessions would also focus on addressing underlying perfectionism and improving self-esteem through adaptive thought patterns and behavioral experiments. Family involvement might be integrated to foster supportive environments and address familial influences if deemed appropriate (Le Grange et al., 2015). The ultimate goal is to enable Phoebe to develop a healthier relationship with food and her body, reduce her bulimic behaviors, and build resilience against relapse.

References

• Fairburn, C. G., Cooper, Z., & Shafran, R. (2003). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for eating disorders: A comprehensive handbook. Guilford Press.
• Le Grange, D., Lock, J., Loeb, K. L., & Nicholls, D. (2015). Academy for Eating Disorders Consensus Panel. Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. Treatment of adolescent eating disorders: A clinical review. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 44(4), 715-730.
• Rodgers, R. F., McLean, S. A., & Paxton, S. J. (2017). Body image and the sociocultural model: A test of mediation. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 46(6), 1248-1262.
• Stice, E., Killen, J. D., Hayward, C., & Taylor, C. B. (2000). Thin-ideal internalization and the risk for bulimic symptoms: A prospective study. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 109(3), 438–455.
• Wilson, G. T., & Fairburn, C. G. (2002). Treatment of bulimia nervosa: A clinical review. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 63 Suppl 3, 22-29.