Conceptual models and integrative therapy: anorexia nervosa as a prototype.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate how an integrative approach to psychiatric treatment can confer specific advantages.


METHODS
The impact of conceptual models on clinical information processing and therapeutic intervention, and the potential benefits resulting from the incorporation of multiple treatment modalities are outlined. These principles are applied using anorexia nervosa (AN) as a prototypical disorder.


RESULTS
A brief, structured review of the broad range of models which have been applied to AN illustrates the impact of conceptualization on outcome. The opportunity for positive integrative effects in the treatment of AN are demonstrated. They are seen to be related to 6 factors: flexibility, patient-treatment matching, stage-treatment matching, facilitation, complementarity, and synergism.


CONCLUSIONS
Integrative methods can address some limitations in clinical information processing associated with the exclusive application of a single conceptual model. Positive integrative effects are demonstrated in the context of AN; however, the approach is recommended for more general application.
Greben
D H
DH
Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Ontario.
Kaplan
A S
AS
D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome