CBT-T in Schools
CBT-T in Schools
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that affect how people think and feel about food, their body, and weight. In the UK, an estimated 1.25 million people have an eating disorder, and many more have disordered eating patterns or body image worries that affect their health and daily life. For children and teenagers, eating disorders can also harm their education, long-term health, and quality of life. Young people are especially vulnerable because of the major physical and emotional changes during adolescence, as well as strong social pressures - for example, the promotion of the “thin ideal” for girls and the push for muscularity in boys.
While effective, specialist therapies exist, they are not readily or equitably accessible in the UK. Most children and young people with eating disorders face long waiting times, as the limited resources available in specialist services are mostly offered to the most severe cases. This means that many young people with less severe but still serious eating problems often can’t access any support. Taking all of this into account, there is an urgent need for eating disorder treatment options for children that are effective, easier to access, and less disruptive to education.
What is CBT-T?
CBT-T is a shorter version of a well-established talking therapy for eating disorders. It is designed for people who are not underweight but still have significant problems with eating and body image. Research shows CBT-T is as effective as longer treatments, works well for adolescents, and can be delivered in schools or online by trained, relatively inexpensive therapists, making it more affordable and easier to access.
In 2024, the research team ran phase one of the research. This involved conducting a study in schools to see whether pupils, parents, and staff would find school-based CBT-T delivery acceptable. It was found that:
- Around one-third of pupils reported eating and body image concerns at levels that could benefit from treatment.
- Anxiety, depression, stress, and low quality of life were also common, problems that CBT-T has been shown to improve.
- Pupils, parents, and teachers were all enthusiastic about offering this therapy in schools, highlighting benefits such as earlier help, less time missed from lessons, and receiving support in a familiar setting.
The second part of this project is now underway, which will involve delivering CBT-T directly to eligible school pupils using a randomised waitlist control trial study design. The results should determine whether it is feasible to offer CBT-T in schools.
Study Information
Phase One
This study forms phase two of a feasibility study conducted recently, funded by the Rosetrees Trust Seedcorn scheme. The project title was: Ensuring rapid access to brief, effective treatment for adolescents with eating and body concerns: Determining the feasibility of an intervention programme in schools. A short summary of phase one can be read under the 'What is CBT-T?' subheading above.
The two papers that resulted from phase one of the project are avaliable online:
Contact the Project Team
Please email Gabe Krason-Smith (gabe.krason-smith@warwick.ac.uk) for any questions or queries.