Identifying critical competencies for psychotherapeutic practice with eating disordered clients: a Delphi study

Abstract

Mental health professionals lack systematic criteria against which to assess their competence to provide psychotherapy to eating disordered clients. In this Delphi study, a multidisciplinary panel of professionals with expertise in eating disorders treatment reached a consensus on essential eating disorders psychotherapy competencies, which included both literature-derived and participant-generated items. Competency domains included specialized knowledge and skills, professional responsibility, and therapist characteristics. An empirically derived, operational definition of minimum competence in psychotherapy for eating disorders was obtained. The essential competencies have utility for practitioners, novice and experienced, who wish to assess and enhance their ethical practice in psychotherapy for eating disorders.