31 Mar 25
New research from HPFT has found that a special kind of art therapy could significantly support people with eating disorders (EDs).
Two women smiling and holding a research paper. The image is edited to show both women side by side.
Emma Davis, Senior Eating Disorders Clinician, and Lottie Anstee, Mental Health Research Assistant, sought to learn the benefits of Focal Integrative Arts Psychotherapy (FIAP) for people with complex eating disorders.
FIAP uses different forms of art, such as visual arts, drama, sand tray, poetry, movement, dream work and puppetry, to express and explore past experiences, relationships and emotions.
The study investigated the experiences of 48 people receiving treatment for an eating disorder, analysing how their symptoms changed after a course of FIAP.
Participants witnessed a significant improvement in their symptoms, mental health and life satisfaction and liked the flexible approach and use of arts for self-expression and discovery.
Emma shares:
“FIAP is a unique treatment that has proven to be really helpful for people who have struggled to benefit from treatments offered in the past – especially for those with more complex eating disorders – because of its adaptability to each person’s needs.”
To learn more about the research study, please visit here.
To learn more about research at HPFT, please visit our web page.