Narrative Therapy Expressive Art Group Interventions for Adolescents with Eating Disorders in Residential Treatment

ABSTRACT

Eating disorders continue to impact youth at staggering rates, with 13.2% of adolescents meeting DSM-5 criteria for an eating disorder by age 20. Integrating narrative therapy expressive art interventions with the healing power of group can meet the layered developmental needs of adolescents battling anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, or nonspecific eating disorders. This conceptual manuscript pulls from literature on expressive arts, adolescent eating disorders, group counseling, and residential treatment considerations using a narrative therapy theoretical approach. Expressive art interventions appropriate for serving adolescents with eating disorders in a residential treatment setting are provided.

KEYWORDS:

• Eating disorders
• narrative therapy
• expressive arts
• group
• adolescents

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Emily Horton

Dr. Emily Horton is an assistant professor of counseling at the University of Houston Clear Lake. She received her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from West Virginia University and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist who specializes in providing counseling to children and adolescents. Prior to coming to UHCL, she served as the director of a 16-bed residential eating disorder treatment center for adolescents. She has had the honor of working in various clinical settings, including private practices, non-profits, and college counseling centers. Her research primarily focuses on (a) eating disorders and body image, (b) play therapy, and (c) perinatal mental health.

Brenda Everett

Brenda Everett, MA, LPC, NCC (she/her/hers), is currently an Adjunct Professor at West Virginia University and Duquesne University. She received her master’s degree in clinical mental health from West Virginia University and is a Ph.D. Candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Duquesne University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, and Approved Licensed Professional Supervisor. She has extensive clinical trauma experience in serving diverse communities through counseling modalities in the military, the Department of Veterans Affairs, higher education, and private practice. Her research interests include teaching self-efficacy, creative approaches to teaching, group work, counselor identity development, leadership and advocacy, and military issues.