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Exploring Outpatient Psychotherapists' Knowledge, Confidence, and Training on Eating Disorders and Muscle Dysmorphia Among Boys and Men.

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Title: Exploring Outpatient Psychotherapists' Knowledge, Confidence, and Training on Eating Disorders and Muscle Dysmorphia Among Boys and Men.
Authors: Ganson, Kyle T. (AUTHOR), Bunnell, Douglas W. (AUTHOR), Lavender, Jason M. (AUTHOR), Piatkowski, Timothy (AUTHOR), Nagata, Jason M. (AUTHOR)
Source: International Journal of Eating Disorders. Jul2026, Vol. 59 Issue 7, p1599-1609. 11p.
Subjects: Competency assessment (Law), Treatment of eating disorders, Cross-sectional method, Psychotherapy, Self-evaluation, Risk assessment, Social media, Psychotherapist attitudes, Questionnaires, Statistical sampling, Fisher exact test, Body dysmorphic disorder, Confidence, Psychology of men, Treatment effectiveness, Judgment sampling, Descriptive statistics, Chi-squared test, Eating disorders, Clinical competence, Needs assessment, Sociodemographic factors, Comparative studies, Data analysis software
Geographic Terms: Canada, United States
Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to assess outpatient psychotherapists' knowledge, confidence, training experiences, training needs, and practice experiences in treating boys and men with eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia. Methods: Participants were 259 licensed outpatient psychotherapists in Canada or the United States who completed an online survey between March and June 2025. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize sociodemographics, self‐reported knowledge, confidence, training experiences, and training needs. Results: Most participants were women (75.1%) and White (78.8%), with an average age of 40.2 years (SD = 12.4) and a mean of 9.6 years (SD = 9.8) practicing. Of the participants, 12.1% reported being an eating disorder specialist. Self‐reported knowledge and confidence to treat boys and men were low for both eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia. Concerning formal training on eating disorders among boys and men, 14.0% and 25.8% reported such training during or after their education, respectively. Participants who received formal training reported that it improved their clinical work with boys and men with eating disorders. Participants reported a variety of training needs, most notably a need to understand unique risk factors and symptom presentations. Discussion: Participants' overall report low knowledge and confidence for treating boys and men with eating disorders or muscle dysmorphia. Only a fraction of psychotherapists had received formal training in this area, yet those who did reported greater knowledge and confidence. Outpatient mental health providers need specialized training on boys and men with eating disorders to enhance their confidence and ability to provide care for this underserved group. Summary: Boys and men with eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia often struggle to access clinicians who can treat their specific needs.This study documents that most outpatient psychotherapists lack knowledge and confidence in these areas, exposing a gap in current practice.The study also identifies training needs and solutions to improve clinicians' skills, reduce barriers, and enhance treatment outcomes for boys and men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of International Journal of Eating Disorders is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: Exploring Outpatient Psychotherapists' Knowledge, Confidence, and Training on Eating Disorders and Muscle Dysmorphia Among Boys and Men.
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– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Objective: This study aimed to assess outpatient psychotherapists' knowledge, confidence, training experiences, training needs, and practice experiences in treating boys and men with eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia. Methods: Participants were 259 licensed outpatient psychotherapists in Canada or the United States who completed an online survey between March and June 2025. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize sociodemographics, self‐reported knowledge, confidence, training experiences, and training needs. Results: Most participants were women (75.1%) and White (78.8%), with an average age of 40.2 years (SD = 12.4) and a mean of 9.6 years (SD = 9.8) practicing. Of the participants, 12.1% reported being an eating disorder specialist. Self‐reported knowledge and confidence to treat boys and men were low for both eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia. Concerning formal training on eating disorders among boys and men, 14.0% and 25.8% reported such training during or after their education, respectively. Participants who received formal training reported that it improved their clinical work with boys and men with eating disorders. Participants reported a variety of training needs, most notably a need to understand unique risk factors and symptom presentations. Discussion: Participants' overall report low knowledge and confidence for treating boys and men with eating disorders or muscle dysmorphia. Only a fraction of psychotherapists had received formal training in this area, yet those who did reported greater knowledge and confidence. Outpatient mental health providers need specialized training on boys and men with eating disorders to enhance their confidence and ability to provide care for this underserved group. Summary: Boys and men with eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia often struggle to access clinicians who can treat their specific needs.This study documents that most outpatient psychotherapists lack knowledge and confidence in these areas, exposing a gap in current practice.The study also identifies training needs and solutions to improve clinicians' skills, reduce barriers, and enhance treatment outcomes for boys and men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
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  Data: <i>Copyright of International Journal of Eating Disorders is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=195039065
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1002/eat.70079
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 11
        StartPage: 1599
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Competency assessment (Law)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Treatment of eating disorders
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cross-sectional method
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychotherapy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Self-evaluation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Risk assessment
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social media
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychotherapist attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Questionnaires
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Statistical sampling
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Fisher exact test
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Body dysmorphic disorder
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Confidence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychology of men
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Treatment effectiveness
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Judgment sampling
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Descriptive statistics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Chi-squared test
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Eating disorders
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Clinical competence
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      – SubjectFull: Needs assessment
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sociodemographic factors
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      – SubjectFull: Comparative studies
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      – SubjectFull: Data analysis software
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      – SubjectFull: Canada
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: United States
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Exploring Outpatient Psychotherapists' Knowledge, Confidence, and Training on Eating Disorders and Muscle Dysmorphia Among Boys and Men.
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              M: 07
              Text: Jul2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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