John Levitt

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Dr. John Levitt has more than 40 years’ experience working with eating disorders, self-injury, trauma-related disorders, and the complex client. He has been an active participant in the fields of trauma, self-harm, eating disorders, and family therapy, as a clinician, consultant, program developer, supervisor/trainer, and presenter. He is Adjunct Professor in the Clinical Counseling Program, Argosy University and teaches the required curricula on trauma treatment and crisis intervention. John has taught locally, nationally, and internationally, co-authored one book, co-edited three other books, and has numerous publications. He is recognized for his extensive experience and stimulating teaching style.

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Judith L Green

University of California, Santa Barbara

Jane Close Conoley

University of California, Santa Barbara

Steven Pinker

Harvard University

E. Wayne Ross

University of British Columbia

Andreas Umland

National University of "Kyiv-Mohyla Academy"

Javier Díaz Noci

Pompeu Fabra University

John Johnson

Pennsylvania State University

Armando Marques-Guedes

UNL - New University of Lisbon

Carlos A. Scolari

Pompeu Fabra University

Nicola Lupo

LUISS Guido Carli

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Papers by John Levitt

Self-Harm Behavior and Eating Disorders

Handbook for assessing and treating addictive disorders

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Treatment of the "untreatable" dissociative disorders client: A preliminary discussion

PsycEXTRA Dataset, 1992

The evolution of chaos: Adolescence, trauma, and dissociation

PsycEXTRA Dataset, 1992

How I Practice

Eating Disorders, 2003

The Darker Side of Eating Disorder Treatment: The Intersection of Eating Disorders, Self-Harm, and Trauma

Down the Rabbit Hole: Working Effectively with the Relational and Emotional World of the Eating Disordered, Self-harming, Trauma Client

Self-Harm Behaviors Among Those with Eating Disorders: An Overview

Large epidemiological studies on the prevalence of self-harm behavior among those with eating dis... more Large epidemiological studies on the prevalence of self-harm behavior among those with eating disorders are not currently available. Using the Medline and PsycINFO databases, the authors collectively summarize data from available studies. The largest group of studies reports the prevalence of suicide attempts among outpatients with bulimia nervosa to be 23% ( n = 1211). The prevalence of suicide attempts among bulimic inpatients was 39% ( n = 260), alcoholic bulimics 54% ( n = 76), and outpatient anorexics 16% ( n = 261). Self-injury among bulimic outpatients was 25% ( n = 574), inpatient bulimics 25% ( n = 260), and outpatient anorexics 23% ( n = 52). The authors discuss the possible implications of these findings.

A Methodology for Problem-System Identification

Although the necessity of knowing whether change has occurred after intervention is stressed in s... more Although the necessity of knowing whether change has occurred after intervention is stressed in social work practice, a method of helping practitioners do this has not been clearly defined. This article outlines a possible system of problem identification based on psychodynamic, behavioral, and task-centered practice.

The Treatment of Eating Disorder Clients in a Community-Based Partial Hospitalization Program

Journal of Mental Health Counseling

The provision of psychological treatment within the community is becoming increasingly important ... more The provision of psychological treatment within the community is becoming increasingly important as time and resources become more scarce. Nowhere is this challenge greater than when undertaking the treatment of eating disorder clients in a community mental health setting. In this paper, we outline a multi-faceted treatment approach to eating disorders within a partial hospital program that is affiliated with a community mental health hospital. Although empirical confirmation is not currently available, initial clinical impressions indicate that the program is facilitating the recovery of these difficult-to-treat individuals.

A Practical Guide to the Treatment of Bulimia Nervosa Johan Vanderlinden, Jan Norre, and Walter Vandereycken. New York: Brunner/Mazel, 1992. 224 pp. $26.95 hardback

Health & Social Work

Rapid-assessment instruments for practice

Social Work Research and Abstracts

Fasting Girls: The Emergence of Anorexia Nervosa as a Modern Disease Joan Jacobs Brumberg. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1988. 355 pp. $25.00 hardback

Health & Social Work

Wood's Reformulation

Social Work

Evaluating treatment outcomes: a pragmatic approach

Eating Disorders, Feb 1, 2003

How I Practice

Eating Disorders, 2003

Achievement Place: The Teaching-Family Treatment Model in a Group-Home Setting. Reports of the National Juvenile Justice Assessment Centers

This paper summarizes a diverse body of literature on Achievement Place, a community-based progra... more This paper summarizes a diverse body of literature on Achievement Place, a community-based program for juveniles in group home settings. The program's Teaching-Family treatment model is described in detail as a base for presenting findings about its ability to change behaviors. Preliminary data from follow-up studies of attempts to extend the treatment method t-other studies are also presented. The first section presents a brief overview of Achievement Place and the Teaching-Family model, together with a list of conclusions reached in a prior review. The details of the Teaching-Family model developed at Achievement Place are presented, including the point system, self-government system, and teaching parents. A second section presents some of the findings reported by researchers who have examined the program, its results and costs. The report concludes by raising certain questions future research on Achievement Place might pursue. (JAC)

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The Therapeutic Lynchpin: Managing the Relational and Emotional World of The Eating Disordered, Self-Injurying, Traumatized Client

To Sleep, Perchance to Dream": The Role of Sleep Disturbance in the Multidimensional Treatment of a Male Bulimic

Eating disorders within males are relatively uncommon, with estimates suggesting incidence rates ... more Eating disorders within males are relatively uncommon, with estimates suggesting incidence rates of only five percent of the sample. This single-subject, reversal design case study examines the etiological variables of a 22-year-old male bulimic patient. Consultation .:or treatment was made by the patient's parents. Family assessment made in :he home provided for observation of the patterns and dynamics of their interaction. It was apparent that marital and family distress contributed to the disorder. Additional evaluation included psychodiagnostic testing, functional analysis of the binge-purge symptoms, and nutritional assessment. Individual and family therapy were valuable in reducing the frequency and duration of binging and purging, yet a pattern of nocturnal binging remained recalcitrant to change. Assessment of sleeping patterns and daytime substance use revealed a sleep onset and sleep maintenance disturbance. Innovative nutritional treatments were employed, including use of amino acids, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Relaxation training and behavior therapy were also utilized. This combined intervention produced complete remission of symptoms within one month. The family vacation gave opportunity to reverse the intervention when the patient failed to complete his nutritional regimen. The sleeping Cifficul4 and night binging returned. Upon reinstitution of treatment, binges and sleep problems returned to base-line. The patient remained symptom-free at one-yea: follow-up, sggesting the value of the intervention and proper termination/withdrawal. (Author/ABL)

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