Innovative Approaches and Emerging Trends in the Assessment and Treatment of Eating Disorders

In a continuously evolving cultural and social context, the complexity and heterogeneity of Eating Disorders (EDs) are becoming more pronounced. This highlights the need for a comprehensive evaluation of patients' individual differences using reliable assessment measures and research methodologies, moving beyond standard and symptom-oriented treatments for EDs. This includes targeting and promoting therapists’ emotional responses, therapeutic alliance (TA) and characteristics of EDs patients, which may potentially lead to more effective treatment outcomes and improved patient engagement. International practice guidelines emphasize the importance of tailoring treatments to enhance their effectiveness across various eating symptoms and clinical settings. Thus, the primary goal of this panel is to present findings from four different contributions that investigate relevant clinical features of EDs using different assessment tools and methodologies. In the first targeting and promoting therapists’ emotional responses, therapeutic alliance (TA) and characteristics contribution, Di Giannantonio et al., conducted a scoping review focusing on the extent and type of existing evidence related to clinical care and interventions for transgender and nonbinary (TGNB) individuals experiencing eating pathology. Findings identified heterogeneous treatment strategies, reflecting the evolution of treatment approaches over time, highlighting the importance of adopting affirming languages and approaches in the treatment of TGNB individuals with EDs. The second contribution by Gagliardini and Colli investigates attachment style, mentalization, emotion dysregulation, and empathy in adult patients with eating disorders (EDs) undergoing psychotherapy. Findings highlighted significant differences in mentalization and empathy across ED subtypes, emphasizing the clinical implications of these dimensions and the need for tailored interventions in EDs treatment. The third contribution of Mirabella et al., examines the interplay between patient personality traits, therapists emotional responses and therapeutic alliance (TA) in ED treatment. Findings underscore the importance of considering both patient personality and therapist emotional responses to enhance TA and treatment outcomes. Finally, the fourth contribution of Albano et al., investigates the usability a newly developed mobile app and website for EDs. The findings indicated the app's usability, validity, reliability, and feasibility for clinical implementation. The study highlights the potential of digital interventions to enhance the reach and scalability of ED treatments and to improve the transdiagnostic understanding of EDs. These studies collectively highlight the evolving landscape of EDs assessment and treatment, emphasizing the need for innovative, tailored approaches that consider individual differences, therapist emotional responses, and the potential of digital interventions.