Recovery Beyond Treatment

A new study by researchers in the College of Education is offering insight into the long-term effectiveness of the Unified Treatment Model (UTM), a structured cognitive-behavioral approach, for eating disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions in clients receiving residential care.

Published in Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation, researchers from the Departments of Counselor Education and Educational Leadership and Research Methodology, discover evidence for a transdiagnostic approach that addresses emotional disorders across varied populations.

The research team analyzed data from 470 adults with differing cultural experiences, who received residential treatment for eating disorders between 2016 and 2023. The UTM was integrated into all aspects of care, including therapy, nutrition and psychiatric services. Outcomes measured at admission, discharge and six months post-treatment showed large reductions in eating disorder symptoms, sustained improvement in depression and decreased anxiety symptoms. These findings suggest that the UTM not only supports symptom reduction during treatment but also helps maintain progress after discharge.

“Our findings provide encouraging evidence that a transdiagnostic approach can be effective for clients from a range of backgrounds,” said Kelly Emelianchik-Key, Ph.D., lead author and associate professor in counselor education. “The UTM’s emphasis on emotional awareness and adaptive coping may help sustain recovery beyond the treatment setting.”