Research, eating disorders, anorexia, bulimia

Alternative Payment Ideas: Research Programs, Studies Offering Treatment and Resources

If you need treatment and you do not have medical insurance, this site may be helpful: http://www.coverageforall.org/

We Connect: A national program that helps connect needy families to services: www.weconnect.net

Kristen Haglund Foundation: Offers grants to individuals in financial need for treatment of eating disorders.

LisasLightOfHope: Scholarship Fund: A Western Massachusetts family is working to raise money to help treat patients with eating disorders. Lisa’s Light of Hope Fund was created in memory of Lisa Marie Calabrese, who died at the age of 21, after battling with anorexia and bulimia for years. Her parents started the fund because of the lack of treatment options locally, that may have helped Lisa survive. The Calabrese family has partnered with Baystate Medical Center. To learn more about Lisa’s Light of Hope fund, you can visit www.lisaslightofhope.com.

Manna Scholarship Fund: Another Foundation offering scholarship funds for eating disorder treatment.

MentorConnect: The first Global EDs mentoring community where those who are solid in their healing mentor those who are still in the healing process.

Mercy Ministries of America, Nashville: Free Christian-Based Treatment: For over 25 years, Mercy Ministries of America has provided hope and healing to generations of desperate young women who are seeking freedom from life-controlling problems such as eating disorders. Their free-of-charge biblically-based program serves a diverse population of young women from various socio-economic backgrounds, aged 13-28. Many of the girls, who come to Mercy for help, are facing a combination of debilitating circumstances and have been in various treatment facilities with unsuccessful long-term results. They are committed to providing the young women they serve with the most excellent program services that allow them to recognize their self-worth and prepare them to reach their full potential. Their non-conventional approach to healing allows young women to permanently stop destructive cycles and prepares them to take hope out into their communities. www.mercyministries.org

Moonshadow's Spirit: Offers financial assistance to individuals who are seeking inpatient or partial hospitalization eating disorder programs.

Research Programs: Below is a list of programs offering treatment for involvement in their studies (sometimes the cost of treatment is covered):

Arizona State University looking for research participants for study on Mindfulness Based Treatment for Binge Eating Disorder. Free treatment for those that qualify. Call 623-879-7599.

Stanford, CA Research: Treatment of Women (18-35) with Disordered Eating. Stanford University Department of Psychiatry. The Stanford University Department of Psychiatry is conducting a study to test the Symptom Reduction Program (SRP), a promising new computer-based treatment for disordered eating. The Program has been found to be effective for many people suffering from anxiety disorders, and there is evidence to suggest it may be effective for people with eating disorders as well. Women participating in this study will complete eight 15-minute treatment sessions over one month. SRP involves: Completing a brief computer-based attention program that changes the way the brain processes harmful/maladaptive information. Who can participate? ▪ Females ages 18-35 ▪ Experiencing disordered eating symptoms ▪ Live no more than 1 hour from Stanford University If you are interested and would like to know more, please contact Clare Purvis at clare.purvis@stanford.edu.

Stanford, CA: New Binge Eating Disorder treatment study, at Stanford University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry, is looking for adult volunteers. This study is comparing 2 outpatient, guided self-help treatments for binge eating disorder in adults ages 18-75. The treatments extend over a 4 month period and both consist of 10 group therapy sessions. The first treatment is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and the second is Integrative Response Therapy (IRT; a BED guided self-help treatment based affect regulation theories of binge eating). Who Can Participate? Adults (women and men) ages 18-75 with Binge Eating Disorder; Must be able to speak and read English; Must be willing to be randomized to either treatment condition Must be able to make a 1.5 year commitment (treatment spans 4 months, but there are three 1-2 hour follow-up assessments); No current psychosis, alcohol/drug abuse, or severe depression with suicidal risk. The treatment is free. The therapy sessions occur at Stanford University, and are typically scheduled weekly or biweekly. Recruitment efforts will continue over the next 2-3 years. If you have patients or know anyone whom you believe would be an appropriate fit for this study or would like to ask questions contact Sarah Pajarito by phone at 650-724-9251, or by email at pajarito@stanford.edu. Website: http://psychiatry.stanford.edu/research/eating.html.

Stanford, CA: Stanford University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry is looking for adult volunteers for a new Anorexia Nervosa treatment study. This study compares two outpatient treatments for anorexia nervosa in adults ages 16 and over. The treatments extend over a 6 month period and both consist of 28 sessions. One treatment is comprised of 24 sessions of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), while the other consists of 8 initial sessions of Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT), followed by 16 sessions of CBT. We do not know which treatment is best, although there is evidence that both are likely to be beneficial. Who Can Participate? Adults (women and men) ages 16 and over/ Must have current diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa/ Must be medically stable for outpatient treatment/ Must be able to speak and read English/ Must be willing to be randomized to either treatment condition/ Must be able to make a 1 year commitment. The treatment is free. The therapy sessions occur at Stanford University, and are typically scheduled weekly. If you are interested in enrolling in the study or would like to ask questions contact Judy Beenhakker by phone at 650-723-7885 or email judybeen@stanford.edu.

Stanford, CA: Stanford University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry is looking for adult volunteers (men and women) for a new Binge Eating Disorder treatment study. This study compares two outpatient, guided self-help treatments for binge eating disorder in adults ages 18-65. The treatments extend over a 4 month period and both consist of 10 group therapy sessions. One treatment is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The other is Integrative Response Therapy (IRT). We do not know which treatment is best, although there is evidence that both are likely to be beneficial. Who Can Participate? Adults (women and men) ages 18-65 with a current diagnosis of Binge Eating Disorder; must be able to speak and read English; must be willing to be randomized to either treatment condition; must be able to make a 1.5 year commitment; no current psychosis, alcohol/drug abuse, or severe depression with suicidal risk. The treatment is free. The therapy sessions occur at Stanford University, and are typically scheduled weekly. If you are interested in enrolling in the study or would like to ask questions contact Sarah Pajarito by phone at 650-724-9251, or by email at pajarito@stanford.edu.

The University of Chicago is looking for women to participate in a study to evaluate the treatment options available to women living with binge eating disorder. Binge-Eating Disorder is a significant public health problem for women. Despite this, there is limited research on how best to treat this disorder at varying levels of severity. The purpose of this NIMH-funded study is to enroll individuals in a brief form of cognitive-behavior therapy. If more intense treatment is needed, individuals will be randomly assigned to more intensive group and individual treatments (Cognitive-Behavior Therapy or Dialectical Behavior Therapy). Both of these treatments are talking therapies that have been adapted for women living with binge-eating disorder and are free of charge. Treatment Criteria: 18 years to 60 years, female, meet criteria for binge eating disorder, are prepared to participate in assessments and up to 28 weeks of cost-free outpatient psychotherapy. For more information call 773-834-9120 to speak to the participant coordinator at the Eating and Weight Disorders Clinic in the Department of Psychiatry at The University of Chicago Medical Center.

The University of Chicago is conducting a study to evaluate effective outpatient psychological treatments for adolescents with bulimia nervosa. You are needed if you are a family with an adolescent (12-18 years old) who has bulimia nervosa. The study requires that the adolescent and his/her parents be interviewed, fill out questionnaires, and then be assigned to one of three outpatient psychological treatments. 18 outpatient visits will be provided over a 6 month period. If you are interested and would like more information, call 773-834-5677 or email bulimia@yoda.bsd.uchicago.edu.

The University of Chicago Anorexia Nervosa PDA Study. Researcher: Daniel le Grange PhD. The purpose of this research study is to examine the relationship between various daily life experiences, personality, and eating disorder symptoms. This research is being done because currently little is known about how symptoms of anorexia nervosa are maintained by personality traits, momentary mood states, thought patterns, or life events. If interested visit http://psychiatry.uchicago.edu/research/volunteers/anpdastudy.html.

The University of Chicago Treatment Study for Women with Binge-Eating Disorder. Researcher: Eunice Chen PhD. The purpose of this research study is to determine how helpful different outpatient psychotherapy is for women with Binge-Eating Disorder. This study compares two outpatient treatments, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy. For more information about this study visit http://psychiatry.uchicago.edu/research/volunteers/BED.html.

The University of Chicago ED Parent Support Project. Researcher: Daniel le Grange PhD. The purpose of this study is to examine the emotional impact of administering family-based treatment and to determine whether a therapist-guided, internet-based chat support group for parents who are implementing family-based treatment would be helpful. For more information visit http://www.edparentsupport.net/website/projectinfo.php.

The University of Chicago Adolescent Overweight Study. Researcher: Daniel le Grange PhD. The purpose of this study is to examine the emotional impact of administering family-based treatment and to determine whether a therapist-guided, internet-based chat support group for parents who are implementing family-based treatment would be helpful. For more information visit http://psychiatry.bsd.uchicago.edu/research/volunteers/adolescent_overweight.html.

The University of Chicago Treatment of Bulimic Adolescents Study. Daniel le Grange PhD. The purpose of this study is to attempt to identify an outpatient psychological treatment that is effective for adolescents with BN. For more information visit http://psychiatry.uchicago.edu/research/volunteers/adolescentBN.html.

Counseling Psychology at the University of Iowa who is currently conducting a study on parents' experiences in family-based treatment for a child or adolescent with anorexia nervosa. This qualitative study investigates the experiences of parents who have participated in family-based treatment (FBT) for a child or adolescent diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. I hope to discover the factors that impact parents' success or failure using FBT for their child/adolescent. I will conduct semi-structured interviews with parents and then analyze the interviews in order to construct a theory about which factors influence the outcome of FBT for adolescents with anorexia nervosa and their families. Since little research has been conducted to date on parental experiences of FBT, my research questions will focus on parents’ individual experiences of seeking treatment, participating in FBT sessions with their child/adolescent and other family members, and reasons that they think FBT worked, or did not work well, for their child. Please contact Joanna Wiese if you have any questions or concerns about link to the study advertisement below, which has been approved by the University of Iowa's IRB. http://fbt-an.weebly.com

Baltimore, MD: The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt is looking for participants aged 12-18 years meeting the DSM-IV criteria for anorexia nervosa to take part in a family therapy study. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two types of family therapy and either a placebo or medication group. Family therapy will be given for 36 weeks and medication for a full year. Then, patients will be followed for 12-months after the end of family treatment. Hence, each family will participate for approximately 1.75-years, with a total participation time of some 50 hours. In a sub-study, blood will be drawn from those volunteering for genetic analysis; this is optional. If you are interested in finding out more about this study and live in the Baltimore metro area, call 410-427-3854.

Baltimore, MD: Anorexia Research Study. Johns Hopkins researchers are conducting a placebo-controlled trial to examine the effectiveness of a research medication in the treatment of adults with anorexia nervosa. Participants will be offered 16 weeks of medication (active or inactive) and weekly outpatient medical monitoring by a psychiatrist. The treatment will be provided at no cost. To participate, you must 1) have anorexia nervosa, 2) be 18-70 years old 3) be medically stable for outpatient treatment 4) complete assessments (interviews, questionnaires, and medical evaluations) at intervals throughout the 16-week study and at 1- and 2-month follow-ups. All information gathered will remain confidential. For more information call The Johns Hopkins Eating Disorders Program at (410)-955-3863 or email at ANresearchstudy@gmail.com.

Free and Confidential Bulimia Treatment Bulimia Nervosa Study: Do you have eating binges? Do you compensate by vomiting or other extremes? If so, and if you are female and between the ages of 18-65, you may be eligible for reduced-fee treatment as part of a treatment research study. Researchers are investigating two active treatments, including education and counseling, for bulimia nervosa. If you are interested, contact the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders. Free confidential treatment is available to those who are interested and eligible for research studies being conducted. Researchers are investigating active treatments, including education and counseling, for bulimia nervosa. If you are interested in participating or would like more information about the project contact the Center at 617-353-9610 and ask for research assistants Michele Crisafulli, Dana Satir, and Jolie Weingeroff, or to speak to the receptionist. You can also email registered nurse, Bonnie Brown bonnieb@bu.edu with any questions about the Program. Study participation is dependent on screening and eligibility criteria. For initial screenings and information, call 617-353-9610 or visit www.bu.edu/anxiety.

Free and Confidential Treatment for Women with Low-weight and Anorexia. Researchers are conducting a study to contrast the effects of two different approaches to treating women with low-weight eating disorders. One approach, commonly used in the eating disorders treatment community, focuses on the behavior changes that are necessary to increase nutritional intake (and therefore to gain weight), along with the motivation to change these behaviors. The other approach, also commonly used by eating disorders therapists and supported by the research evidence, focuses on your feelings about these changes, feelings about treatment, obstacles to change, and the feelings that may underlie the symptoms, in addition to your goals regarding your eating disorder symptoms. Parts of each of these approaches have received support from research studies, but they have not been investigated in this particular way. In this study, each participant will have the opportunity to experience both of these approaches in their brief treatment, and we may find out what is useful to you. If you are interested in participating or would like more information about the project, contact the Center at 617- 353-9610 and ask to speak with Dana Satir.

University of Minnesota Eating Disorder Research Study. Women ages 18 and older who struggle with binge eating and purging are needed for a research study providing free therapy. For more information visit http://www.med.umn.edu/psychiatry/research/eatingdisorders/home.html or call 612-627-1991.

Dr. Evelyn Attia at Columbia and Weill Cornell Medical Centers, along with colleagues at Johns Hopkins, University of Pittsburgh and University of Toronto, are currently conducting a study looking at whether the antipsychotic medication olanzapine may help individuals with anorexia nervosa feel better, as well as restore them to a normal weight. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either olanzapine or placebo for 16 weeks, during which time participants will come in to the clinic weekly to meet with a psychiatrist. They will then be followed for another 8 weeks. Eligibility criteria are very specific, and include, but are not limited to, women and men who are underweight and at least 18 years of age. Please contact the eating disorders program at New York State Psychiatric Institute at 212-543-5739, or e-mail us at EDRU@nyspi.columbia.edu, to learn more. We would be happy to discuss other research as well, as we have many ongoing studies.

The Columbia and Weill Cornell Center for Eating Disorders has initiated a new study and recruiting adults 18 years of age and up with anorexia nervosa and a self reported exercise history to receive an adapted form of CBT for anorexia nervosa. Participants will receive 34 therapy sessions over an 8-10month period. They will be randomly assigned to one of two types of CBT. This is part of an international multi-site clinical trial and participants in the New York area will be seen at NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester campus. Please contact the eating disorders program at New York State Psychiatric Institute at 212-543-5739, or e-mail us at EDRU@nyspi.columbia.edu, to learn more. We would be happy to discuss other research as well, as we have many ongoing studies.

Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center are conducting an NIMH-funded study aimed at understanding brain development in adolescents with Bulimia Nervosa. They are looking for girls, 12-18 years old, who binge-eat and purge. Participation involves completing interviews, games and puzzles, and an MRI scan. Compensation (up to $400) or treatment, free of charge, will be provided for participation. The study takes place at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive in Manhattan. For more information, call the Eating Disorders Clinic at 212-543-5739 or 212-543-6072 or email MRISTUDY@childpsych.columbia.edu.

New York, NY: Family Therapy Treatment for Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa Involves family therapy and medication Age: 12-18 years and families Criteria: Diagnosis of anorexia nervosa and family involvement Duration/Length: 16-18 sessions (1 hour) over 6 months. For more information contact Samantha at 914-997-4395 or email sab2024@med.cornell.edu.

Research Treatment Trial for Anorexia Nervosa at the University of North Carolina. The UNC Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders is studying two different treatments intended to help couples in which one partner has a diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa (AN). Eligible couples will receive 23 weeks of study-related treatment from the UNC Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders team at no cost and payment for participating in additional assessments. Interested individuals who are 18 years or older, married or have been in a committed relationship with their partner for at least 6 months, and currently live together may be eligible. One partner must have a diagnosis of AN, and both partners must speak English. All research related therapy and evaluations are offered at no cost. More information is available at www.unceatingdisorders.org. Please contact Kate Nowlan at 919-843-2483 or email ucan@unc.edu for more information.

New Eating Disorder Study at USciences Offers Free Family Counseling. The Eating Disorder Research Program (EDRP) at University of the Sciences is offering free treatment for families with an adolescent who struggles with eating and weight concerns. Under the direction of Dr. C. Alix Timko, assistant professor of psychology at USciences, the EDRP seeks to understand the cause and treatment of one of the most commonly known eating disorders, anorexia nervosa. “At the EDRP we have, in collaboration Duke University Medical Center, created a family-based intervention that combines the best of current, family-based eating disorder components with mindfulness and acceptance,” said Dr. Timko. “Research shows that acceptance-based approaches have been successful in treating other disorders, but has yet to be fully applied to eating disorders. In our current study, a therapist will meet with both the adolescent and parents separately over a six-month period to address the different issues and concerns of each party.” In addition to being a training site for advanced master’s and doctoral students in clinical psychology, the EDRP undertakes many studies ranging from questionnaires to computer-based tasks to providing treatment for various eating disorders. Its current treatment study, the only study of its kind in Philadelphia, is aimed at adolescents with anorexia nervosa and their families. Individuals (male or female) between 12-18 years of age must be medically stable for outpatient treatment and show signs of anorexia nervosa. The study is funded by the National Institute of Health (therefore completely free to participants). It is being conducted in conjunction with Duke University’s Eating Disorders Center, whose results indicate that adolescents are returning to a healthy weight and demonstrating a reduction in eating disorder symptoms. For more information on the program, contact the EDRP at edresearch@usciences.edu or 215-596-7183.

Pittsburgh, PA: Volunteers Needed for Anorexia Nervosa Treatment Study. Researchers at the Center for Overcoming Problem Eating at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center are conducting a study to test the efficacy of a new outpatient psychotherapy for older adolescents and adults with anorexia nervosa. Eligible participants will be offered 9-12 months of individual psychotherapy, medical monitoring, and nutrition counseling. All treatment will be provided at no cost. If you are 17 years of age or older, have anorexia nervosa, and are able to attend treatment in Pittsburgh, you may be eligible to participate. Dr. Jennifer Wilde, call 412-246-5841 for more information.

Pittsburgh, PA Study: The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center announces a new clinical psychotherapy trial for bulimia nervosa. This study will compare two different ways to deliver cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) which is the treatment of choice for bulimia. Patients will be assigned by chance to either experimental face to face group CBT or an experimental, internet-delivered CBT with a therapist-moderated chat group. There is no cost for participating in this trial. If you are 18 years or older and have a home computer with internet access, you may be eligible. Contact the Research Coordinator Abbe Machi at 412-647-1776 for more information.

Evaluation of a web-based multi media intervention for carers of people with anorexia nervosa. This project examines whether an internet-based intervention for carers (or significant others) of people with anorexia nervosa is effective and useful. The interactive web programme aims to give carers information and skills to help them help their relative, cope with care-giving and reduce distress, which may in turn help the individual with anorexia nervosa. It was developed by the IoP Section of Eating Disorders/SLaM Eating Disorders Unit in collaboration with beat (formally known as the Eating Disorders Association and is the UK’s leading eating disorders charity), Dr Chris Williams from the University of Glasgow, Media Innovations and patients and carers. The programme includes information on how to communicate with a person with anorexia; how to support them at meal times, facilitate weight gain and re-establish healthy eating; how to manage crises and conflict; and how to assess and manage risk. 60 careers are needed for this study. The duration of the intervention is 7 weeks with a 3-month follow up assessment. To be eligible you need to be currently caring for a person who is suffering from a form of anorexia nervosa and have the ability to read and understand English. To find out more, contact Judy Slater (08) 8201 5563 or email: judith.slater@flinders.edu.au

We want to learn more about the post-purging dental care behaviors and beliefs of bulimic patients and how they communicate their oral concerns with their dentist. Currently, very little scientific evidence exists on this subject. Our pilot study data indicated that the majority of bulimic patients surveyed did not allow oral concerns to prevent them from purging (84%) and endorsed post-purging oral health behavior not recommended by dentists (80%). In our on-line survey, each participant will be prompted to complete an anonymous 15 minute survey. No identifying information will be gathered, therefore participation in this study will not result in a loss of privacy. Participants may access the study via the simple internet link below: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/insightdentalsurvey

Are you the parent of a child who is currently receiving outpatient treatment for Anorexia Nervosa? If so, we’d like to talk to invite you to participate in an anonymous study that examines the experience of caring for a child with Anorexia Nervosa. As research psychologists, we are interested in how a child’s eating disorder affects the parents and family – including coping reactions and significant relationships. Few medical or psychological resources are available to support parents who may face their own challenges with respect to the diagnosis of and treatment for their child’s Anorexia. We hope our research findings will contribute to enhanced understanding of how a child’s illness affects the families so that more support services for parents can be developed and provided. If your child is between the ages of 9-22, is receiving outpatient treatment for Anorexia Nervosa, and is currently living with you at home, we invite you to participate in this important study. Participation will involve: Completing a series of questionnaires online that will take approximately 15-30 minutes. -- Your name and any identifying information will not be linked to your responses. -- Publications or presentations emanating from the research will not include individual responses, only group data will be presented. Click the following the link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VN5VTDF and enter the password: participate (in all lowercase letters). You will be directed to an informed consent letter followed by a series of brief questionnaires for you to complete. If you would like further information please contact Lauren F. Stack at lfstack@gmail.com or Dr. Merle Keitel at mkeitel@fordham.edu for information. NOTE: This research study has received IRB (Institutional Review Board) approval from Fordham University and researchers will adhere to the American Psychological Association’s Code of Ethics. Primary investigators for this study are Merle A. Keitel, Ph.D., Professor of Counseling Psychology, Fordham University, and Lauren F. Stack, M.S., Doctoral Candidate in Counseling Psychology, Fordham University.

African American participants with an eating disorder. Researcher: Michaela Muehlbach. Research project looks at African American women’s eating behaviors. Goal: Better understand the typical patterns of eating behavior in Black women and make sure that Black women are no longer ignored in research. For more information visit http://forestinstitute.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_5j1fjSfkUkZia7q&SVID=Prod.

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