ABSTRACT
Family therapists work in the context of teams and organisations. Ideally, these would assess the quality of treatment outcomes using an audit method, in order to ensure that outcomes are as good as they can be. Family therapy has long been recognised as the most effective treatment for young people with anorexia. Out-patient treatment may often break down, and the patient is admitted to a psychiatric unit. Clinicians can concentrate on a relatively homogeneous group of families and develop a high level of skills in engagement and treatment. A policy that should be in place irrespective of the treatment model is that cases of anorexia are urgent and they are not kept waiting for assessment or treatment. A long period in an adolescent unit wastes the patient's time and reduces the chance she will be offered effective treatment. The individual treatment most likely to be offered in that situation is cognitive behavioural therapy.
