Compassionate Letter-Writing for Eating Disorders

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byAllison Kelly, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: University of Waterloo

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?This trial tests if writing self-compassionate letters can help patients with eating disorders feel less shame and be kinder to themselves. Participants will write these letters for a short period before starting their regular treatment. This approach aims to build self-compassion and reduce shame, which are believed to contribute to the maintenance and alleviation of eating disorders.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals aged 17 or older who have been diagnosed with an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder and are on the waitlist for group treatment at St. Joseph's Eating Disorder Program.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with an eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating).

I am 17 years old or older.

You are able to participate in the St. Joseph's Eating Disorder Program for group treatment.

Participant Groups

The study tests a two-week self-compassionate letter-writing intervention based on compassion-focused therapy (CFT) against a control group to see if it can help patients with eating disorders before they start their scheduled treatments.

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Self-compassionate letter-writing interventionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

An online self-compassionate letter-writing task once per day (10-20 minutes each) for 2 weeks

Group II: Control conditionActive Control1 Intervention