Innovations in Eating Disorder Treatment

Rhonda M. Merwin, PhD is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University School of Medicine and the Founder and Director of the ACT at Duke Clinic, a Research and Clinical Training Program. She is the Past President and a Fellow of the Association for Contextual and Behavioral Science (ACBS), and one of 116 Peer-Reviewed ACT Trainers worldwide. Dr. Merwin's research focuses on the mechanisms and treatment of eating disorders, generally and specifically in the context of type 1 diabetes, and includes both basic behavioral and applied research. Her research leverages digital and mobile technology for real-time process and outcome assessment and delivery of interventions. Dr. Merwin's research is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF). She is the first author of the book ACT for Anorexia Nervosa, and has an upcoming book, Living Well When Food is an Issue, both with Guilford Press. Recommended Readings 1. Karekla, M., Nikolaou, P., & Merwin, R. M. (2022). Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating AcceptME-A Digital Gamified Acceptance and Commitment Early Intervention Program for Individuals at High Risk for Eating Disorders. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(7), 1775. 2. Merwin, R. M., Moskovich, A. A., & Scheiber, F. (2025). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Eating Disorders. Psychiatric Clinics, 48 (3), 521 - 535. 3. Hayes, S. C., Merwin, R. M., McHugh, L., Sandoz, E. K., A-Tjak, J. G., Ruiz, F. J., ... & McCracken, L. M. (2021). Report of the ACBS Task Force on the strategies and tactics of contextual behavioral science research. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 20, 172-183. 4. Schmidt, U. H., Claudino, A., Fernández‐Aranda, F., Giel, K. E., Griffiths, J., Hay, P. J., ... & Sharpe, H. (2025). The current clinical approach to feeding and eating disorders aimed to increase personalization of management. World Psychiatry, 24(1), 4-31