22. Working with Special Populations and Service-Related Issues

Summary

This is an introductory chapter to the section that discusses working with special populations and service-related issues. The section is devised to capture the real-life tensions that clinicians face when working with people with eating disorders (EDs). The real tension of working with someone who has significant physical health difficulties and trying to introduce nutrition in as therapeutic a way as possible is one of the most pressing challenges in working successfully on an eating disorders inpatient unit (EDU). Moreover, the real threat of death, differing perspectives and models across the multidisciplinary team (MDT) can create a uniquely testing place to work with clients. Considering the issue of complex needs in EDs always raises the challenges of working with people with severe and enduring or chronic EDs.