The psychotherapeutic process in the treatment of binge eating

While guidelines recommend gold standards for psychotherapy in bulimic eating disorders (bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder), little is known about psychotherapeutic process aspects. In a systematic literature search, based on the well-established Generic Model of Psychotherapy, studies relating process aspects to treatment outcome, defined as symptom reductions or remission, were identified (process-outcome research). While effects of treatment settings can not yet be estimated, specific interventions, rapid response, and the therapeutic bond repeatedly predicted outcome. Process-outcome research in bulimic eating disorders will be necessary to support clinical practice and to enhance treatment efficacy.