TBT-S is an innovative treatment approach that incorporates the genetic and neurobiological vulnerabilities that influence eating disorder development over the lifespan.

Skills-based training is used to teach consumers and supports strategies to manage these neurobiological factors to reduce problem thoughts and behaviours. The focus of TBT-S is to work with consumers who have AN  and  their Support persons to acknowledge, understand, and utilise their own temperament as a primary source for strength and change. Supports can include members of one’s family of origin (such as parents, siblings, grandparents, adult children) and of one’s “family” of choice (such as spouses, partners, friends, housemates, or colleagues).

The TBT-S program provides intensive treatment in the community in the Stepped System of Care and can be accessed as a step up from community based treatment or a step down from hospital or residential treatment (for more information on the Stepped System of Care click here). The program provides increased intensity, multidisciplinary care including meal support, while allowing people to remain connected to community, family and social support. CEED has partnered with a number of services across the state to implement the TBT-S program.

TBT-S is person centred and places the person experiencing the eating disorder as ‘expert’ in their recovery, identifying their strengths and working with the person on identifying achievable goals for recovery.

TBT-S has a track record of elevating lived experience in the design of the treatment model and ongoing implementation in Victorian services. Lived Experience workers have completed the TBT-S training and are currently involved in the planning, facilitation, research and evaluation of the project. The effectiveness of the TBT-S project is being measured and evaluated via a research project. This research will be the first Australian study investigating the use of TBT-S in Australia. TBT-S commenced in 2009 and has been studied and refined through multi-site open trials and through participants and their supporters feedback. There appears to be some promising results in these early-phase trials for some of the participants, however further research has been recommended.

Where’s the TBT-S Evidence? TBT-S Fact Sheet TBT-S Principals

International evidence on TBT-S effectiveness is showing:

• Reduced adolescent and adult client resistance.
• Increased motivation in both adolescent and adult clients.
• Reduced eating disorder symptoms, as well as reduced depression and anxiety over time.
• Decreased depression, stress, and criticism of mothers of adolescents.
• Increased treatment retention.
• Significant outcome impact after 4-5 days of TBT-S treatment.