The answer to the frequently asked question “How long will treatment take?” depends upon several factors:

• What psychological difficulties are present?

• How long has the individual struggled with what is defined as the problem bringing him or her to treatment?

• What is the severity of dysfunction shown by the prospective client?

• What emotional, financial, and social resources does an individual have that may help him or her participate in treatment?

• Are there other behavioral strengths or skills that can help an individual get better?

• What other treatment approaches have been tried?

• What might the reasons be for an earlier treatment’s lack of success?

• What have the emotional, financial, physical, and relational costs been regarding the problem behaviors?

• Conversely, what benefits may have come as a direct or indirect result of the individual’s having had an eating disorder or other psychological problem?