SSCM October 2022

Description

Specialist Supportive Clinical Management (SSCM) is an effective outpatient eating disorders treatment for anorexia nervosa, tested against evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT). Unlike CBT and IPT, SSCM allows for greater flexibility in sessions to address broader life issues and client goals as well as eating disorder behaviours. Ongoing research has confirmed SSCM as an effective, viable treatment option for eating disorders.
The two aims of SSCM are to a) help clients make connections between their symptoms and life issues, and their eating behaviour and physical health / malnutrition-starvation, and, b) to support them in a gradual return to normal eating, weight restoration (if required) and improved physical health.
To do this, SSCM combines two therapeutic components, Clinical Management and Supportive Psychotherapy. The clinical management aspect prioritises the establishment of normal eating and physical health restoration, provides targeted psycho-education and advice about eating disorders, eating and weight/shape concerns. The supportive psychotherapy framework allows client and clinician to respond to other important life issues identified by the client, including those that serve to maintain or are in turn maintained by the eating disorder symptoms and behaviours.
SSCM builds on the existing core skills and strengths of mental health clinicians in clinical management and supportive psychotherapy to equip general mental health clinicians to apply their skills to working with clients experiencing eating disorders.