Research Programs and Studies Offering Treatment

Below is a list of programs offering treatment for involvement in their studies:

Search by Region: California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania

Online Survey, Seeking Treating Professionals and Clients

California (scan down):

San Diego, CA: UCSD Researchers Seek Women Recovered From an Eating Disorder Help UCSD researchers study what causes eating disorders!
● We are seeking female participants between 18 and 45 years of age who are medication free and recovered from Anorexia or Bulimia Nervosa.
• By participating in this research study, you may assist physicians and researchers in developing treatments for these complex and serious disorders.
• You may be compensated up to $1200
For more information, please contact the UCSD Eating Disorder Treatment and Research Program at (858) 534-8019 or by email at edresearch@ucsd.edu. We look forward to working with you!
 

San Diego, CA: Are you or a loved one potentially struggling with an eating disorder? Are you looking for treatment for Anorexia but are worried about the cost? We may have a solution for you! The UCSD Eating Disorder Research and Treatment Program are conducting two studies that are providing no cost treatment for those currently struggling with Anorexia Nervosa. In the first study we are recruiting adolescents between the ages of 12-18 years of age who are underweight but don’t want to gain weight to participate in the largest adolescent anorexia treatment study of its kind! Participating families will receive:
• One of two different types of family therapy for nine months
• Study physician medical monitoring
• Comprehensive assessments of symptoms all at no cost
In the second study we are looking for women ages 18-65 who are underweight but are fearful of gaining weight to complete an eight week trial of the medication Quetiapine. All participants will receive:
• No cost medical evaluations
• Supportive therapy with the study psychiatrist
• Eye appointments and either Quetiapine or placebo at no cost
• In addition, you may be compensated up to $360 for your participation in the trial!
If you are interested in either study please contact Megan at (858) 534-8019.

 

Stanford, CA: Stanford University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry is looking for adolescent volunteers for a new Bulimia Nervosa treatment study. This study is comparing three outpatient treatments for bulimia nervosa in adolescents ages 12-18. The treatments extend over a 6 month period and all consist of 18 sessions. The first treatment is an individual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for adolescents (CBT), the second is a Family Based Therapy for bulimia nervosa (FBT-BN), and the third is individual Supportive Psychotherapy (SPT). Who Can Participate?: -Adolescents (female or male) ages 12 to 18 with a current diagnosis of Bulimia Nervosa, -Must be medically stable for outpatient treatment, -Must be living with at least one parent, -Must be able to speak and read English, -Must be willing to be randomized to any treatment condition, -Must be able to make a 1.5 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 us some questions please contact Brittany Alvy by phone at (650) 723-9182, or by e-mail at balvy@stanford.edu.

Stanford, CA: Stanford University Eating Disorder Program: 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 28 sessions of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), while the other consists of 8 initial weeks of Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT), followed by 20 weeks 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 us some questions please contact Brittany Alvy by phone at (650) 723-9182, or by e-mail at balvy@stanford.edu

Florida (scan down):

Immigrant Women Needed For Research Study: “Self-Starvation: Qualitative exploration of narratives amongst eating disordered immigrant women of color to the United States.” This research study from Nova Southeastern University investigates the meanings of self-starvation amongst immigrant women and seeks participants who fit the following criterion: 18 years or older; English speaking immigrant woman living in the United States; participants must currently be or had been anorexic with a desire to restrict food intake; onset of weight loss must have occurred one year prior to immigration or following immigration to U.S.; English-speaking U.S. first-generation immigrants qualify and may include those of Latina, Asian/Pacific Islander, and African American or other ethnicities; willingness to participate in one or more audio recorded interviews in person or by telephone. Compensation will be provided. Time commitment is 1-3 hours. Contact Principal Investigator, Lisa C. Palmer, M.S., email LisaCPalmer@yahoo.com, call 954-907-3446. Address: Brief Therapy Institute, 3301 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314.

Illinois (scan down)

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. 20 outpatient visits will be provided over a 6 month period. If you are interested and would like more information, please call us at 773-834-5677 or email bulimia@yoda.bsd.uchicago.edu.

Treatment Study for women with Bulimia Nervosa and Depression: The University of Chicago is conducting a year-long NARSAD (The Mental Health Research Foundation) funded research study to evaluate outpatient treatments for women with bulimia nervosa and depression. The purpose of this study is to determine how helpful Dialectical Behavior Therapy or pharmacotherapy (drug therapy) is for women with bulimia nervosa and depression. This study is a good match for you if you are: 18 years and over; female; meet criteria for bulimia nervosa and depression; are prepared to participate in assessments: assignment by equal chance to 6-months of cost-free treatment. For more information, please contact our Participant Coordinator at 773-834-9120 or visit http://eatingdisorders.uchicago.edu.

Maryland (scan down):

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, contact 410-427-3854.

Massachusetts (scan down):

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, please contact the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders. For initial screenings and information, call 617-353-9610 or visit www.bu.edu/anxiety.

Minnesota (scan down):

University of Minnesota Eating Disorder Research Program: The University of Minnesota Eating Disorder Research Program has been providing treatment and conducting research in the area of eating disorders since the 1970s. The program has been the recipient of several research grants from the National Institute of Health, the National Institute of Mental Health and private foundations such as the McKnight Foundation. The investigators who oversee the clinic have become internationally know for their research in this area. Scott Crow, MD, the principal investigator of the studies for the University of Minnesota is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University. He is the director of the Eating Disorder Research Clinic. Current research studies include: Research Study for women ages 18 and older who struggle with binge eating and purging are needed for a research study providing free therapy. For more information about this University of Minnesota Study call 612-627-1991.  Anorexia Nervosa Diary Study needs female volunteers age 18 and older with symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa are needed for a study at the University of Minnesota. This is not a treatment study. Compensation up to $200. For more information call 612-627-1991.

New York, NY (scan down):

New York: The National Institute of Mental Health is sponsoring a multi-center international study to compare two types of family therapy as well in the treatment of adolescents with anorexia nervosa. We are looking for families with an adolescent with anorexia nervosa between the ages of 12-18 years. Participation involves completing assessment interviews, questionnaires, and engaging in 16 family therapy sessions over the course of nine months. The study is being held at the Eating Disorders Research Program, The Westchester Division of New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Please contact our Research Coordinator, Samantha Berthod, MA 914-997-4395.

Research for book: Seeking interviews with women over the age of 18 who have undergone elective cosmetic surgery. Confidentiality will be strictly maintained. Please contact Catherine Baker-Pitts at 917-647-0768 or bakercate@aol.com.

North Carolina (scan down):

Treatment Trial for Anorexia Nervosa: The University of North Carolina’s Eating Disorders Program is developing a treatment for couples where one partner has anorexia nervosa, UCAN: Uniting Couples (in the treatment of) Anorexia Nervosa. Participants will receive study-related treatment from the UNC Eating Disorders Program team at no cost and payment for participating in additional assessments. If you are 18 years or older and are married or have been in a committed relationship with your partner for over a year and currently live together, you may be eligible. More information is available in the research corner of our website, www.unceatingdisorders.org. Please contact the Research Coordinator at (919) 966-3065 or ucan@unc.edu for more information.
 

Pennsylvania (scan down):

Philadelphia, PA Catherine Baker-Pitts, PhD is seeking interviews with women and men who have elected cosmetic surgery. Confidentiality will be protected in a book titled Cutting Up. Compensation for time is $100. Please contact Dr. Catherine Baker-Pitts at bakercate@aol.com.

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. Please call 412-246-5841 for more information.

Pittsburgh, PA 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 at 412-578-9338  for more information.

Online Survey and Success Stories:

Have you recently undergone bariatric or weight loss surgery? Please consider taking 5 minutes to complete the following questionnaire to help us investigate eating behavior after surgery.http://tinyurl.com/After-Surgery Joanna Marino

The Relationship Between Acquaintance Rape and Purging Behaviors: Feminist Identity Development as a Moderator. You have been invited to participate in a research project being conducted by Brittan Davis, under the supervision of Deb Esty Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology at Baldwin-Wallace College. The purpose of this study is to examine acquaintance rape experiences and possible ways of coping with such experiences, including the use of purging. In addition, the survey will ask about different women’s issues. To participate visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=k8e73_2fs_2f51dwhjtuym_2fZUg_3d_3d.

Online study examining burnout in therapists who work with patients with eating disorders. If you treat patients with eating disorders or have in the past, we respectfully request your assistance with this study. The study will take 20-30 minutes of your time to complete. For your participation, you can also choose to be entered into a raffle to win one of four $25 Visa gift cards. If you are willing to participate, we request that you go to the following website: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=MDPMl_2b905fXMtYB2TMKcHQ_3d_3d There you will answer various questions related to therapist burnout and your experiences treating patients with eating disorders. Your data will be kept completely confidential and all data will be given ID codes-no connection between your data and your name will be recorded.

Looking For Your Stories of SUCCESS! To Bring Out the Hope of Eating Disorder Recovery

My name is Marissa, and I’m from New York, USA. I'd like to write a book, inspired by my own personal experience and my recovery from anorexia, that is comprised of success stories from individuals around the world (men, women, boys, girls, teenagers, middle-aged, athletes, people of all ages, races, nationalities, ethnicities, careers, and walks of life) who have:
1) Battled an eating disorder and overcame it, or
2) Individuals who are currently on the path to recovery and are close to the finish line
Stories that focus on:
1) What these individuals have become and accomplished
2) Why the very difficult journey to recovery is worth the fight
3) Stories not of depression and hardship, but of hope, success, and the light at the end of the tunnel

From what I've seen and heard, there are quite a few books out there that lean towards the depressing side or eating disorders, on eating disorder behavior, but I want this book to really touch a nerve and evoke emotion in a hopeful and optimistic way. I’d also like to include a “parents and loved ones” section in the book, comprised of stories from moms, dads, brothers, sisters, grandmas, grandpas, husbands, and wives.

Goal: With your help, I hope that I'm able to get these stories to reach the millions of people around the world who can use our advice and our experienced voices telling them that they, too, can have their own success story.

To Send in Your Story or for More Information- Please feel free to contact me anytime! I look forward to hearing from you. Email: mcox10@pride.hofstra.edu.

Seeking Treating Professionals and Clients:

Are you the parent of a child who has received inpatient treatment for Anorexia Nervosa? If so, we’d like to talk to you about your experience.  As research psychologists, we are interested in how a child’s eating disorder diagnosis affects the parents and family – including coping reactions, relationships, and marital satisfaction.  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 parents and family. If your child, age 11-17, has received or is currently receiving inpatient treatment for Anorexia Nervosa, we invite you to participate in this important study.  Participation will include:

• A confidential and supportive phone interview, scheduled at your convenience, with a trained psychology doctoral student
• Access to our findings, at the end of our study
• Helping other parents in the same situation, by sharing your story with us

Please contact Dr. Merle Keitel at mkeitel@fordham.edu or (212) 636-6468 for information.

Also try this link for other pages with Research Studies -- click here

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

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 (While EDRIC includes articles and links to sites which provide additional information on eating disorders and related topics, the EDRIC does not endorse or recommend any site, product or service provided through these links.)

*We cannot diagnose or treat eating disorders by e-mail, but we can send you information and assist you in finding resources. Information provided by the Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center is not a substitute for medical treatment or psychological care.  It is vital that you talk with your physician and a qualified mental health professional regarding eating disorder symptoms and treatment.

*While EDRIC includes articles and links to sites which provide additional information on eating disorders and related topics, the EDRIC does not endorse or recommend any site, product or service provided on these links.

*The information above is provided by the professionals themselves. EDReferral.com does not endorse these providers. It is up to you to interview and screen the provider that is best suited for you.

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