The Maudsley Model of Anorexia Nervosa Treatment in Adults (MANTRA)

The Maudsley Model of Anorexia Nervosa Treatment in Adults (MANTRA) is a comprehensive, flexible and evidence-based approach to treating adults with Anorexia Nervosa. The therapy style is based on the Maudsley Family-Based Treatment (MFBT) model and works to address the factors which work to maintain the Eating Disorder, and systematically work through these psychosocial factors. 

In MANTRA, the focus is on involving the patient’s close support network in the treatment process. The goal is to help the patient overcome the illness by restoring weight gain and healthy eating habits, as well as addressing any related psychological and interpersonal issues. The therapist works with the family to help the individual resume normal eating habits, gain weight, and improve their relationship with food. The treatment approach has a focus on collaborative and supportive relationships between the patient, their family members, and the treatment team.

MANTRA typically involves weekly treatment sessions and will include a combination of individual therapy, family therapy, and dietetic support. The treatment style is structured, goal-oriented, and time-limited, with the aim of achieving full recovery within a specific time frame. Importantly, the therapist and the individual work together to design a treatment approach which incorporates the most evident aspects of the Eating Disorder in order to develop a long lasting and impactful treatment approach. MANTRA may be beneficial for clients who have struggled with an eating disorder for an extended period of time and have not found other forms of treatment to be helpful. It has been found to be highly effective in treating Anorexia Nervosa in adults, with a high rate of success in achieving full recovery.