Abstract

Written in an accessible and jargon-free way, this original approach to working with women who have bulimia nervosa is based on research showing that bulimia nervosa involves interpersonal, social and societal factors as well as the cognitive, developmental and behavioural aspects that have been the focus of much professional intervention to date. Carole Kayrooz shows how people seeking to understand and emotionally support women with this complex problem need to be able to work with all these dimensions. Her book is one of the first to interpret the disorder within a systems framework and to present a detailed systemic model for its treatment. By applying systems theory to the problem, the author highlights its contextual nature.

The practical application of this multi-dimensional, systems-based understanding to treatment practice is demonstrated through three in-depth case studies. This book is essential reading for psychologists, counsellors, therapists, social workers, and health professionals working with this group, as well as for people suffering from bulimia nervosa and their families.

Carole Kayrooz is an academic and psychologist at the University of Canberra.

`In contrast to the treatment of anorexia nervosa, not much has been written about systemic approaches to bulimia nervosa, and this book is a very good starting point… The book is very easy to read… There is a wealth of clinical material here which illustrates the approach through three detailed and evocative case studies. I would recommend this book to any practitioner on the field of eating disorders.'

Child and Adolescent Mental Health

'The strength of this book is that it is accessible, easy to read, very practical and has a strong practice focus. It provides some excellent ideas for intervention with people with eating disorders, many of which would be transferred to other areas of practice and the case studies bring the application of theory, technique and task setting to life. The author is cl;early passionate about her subject and this is often reflected in vivid and evocative prose.'

'Overall, I think there is much to learn from the material presented here, including some key theoretical considerations which are both illuminating and thought provoking. This book will certainly be of interest to anyone working in the field of eating disorders and represents a useful addition to the literature in this area'.

British journal of social work
The strength of this book is that it is accessible, easy to read, very practical and has a strong practice focus. It provides some excellent ideas for intervention with people with eating disorders, many of which would be transferable to other areas of practice and the case studies bring the application of theory, technique and task setting to life. The author is clearly passionate about her subject and this is often reflected in vivid and evocative prose. Overall, I think there is much to learn from the material here, including some key theoretical considerations, which are both illuminating and though provoking. This book will certainly be of interest to anyone working in the field of eating disorders and represents a useful addition to the literature in this area
Bryan Kroll