Eating Disorders

Margo Maine, PhD, FAED

The single best predictor of risk to develop an eating disorder is simply being born female. What does this gender discrepancy tell us about the cultural impact on the etiology of eating psychopathology? This Eating Disorder Course challenges the dominance of the medical or biogenetic model as simply too objective and too linear to answer the obvious questions: Why Women? and Why Now? It integrates what research and practice teach clinicians about the importance of gender in the development and progression of eating disorders and the ensuing implications for treatment. This is an intermediate course intended for practicing clinicians.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the elements of a biopsychosocial approach to eating disorders.
2. Describe the multi-determined etiology of eating disorders.
3. Create an effective, gender-informed clinical strategy for managing eating disorders.

Marcia Herrin, EdD, MPH

In this Eating Disorder Course Dr. Herrin will give a comprehensive synopsis of CBT, DBT, FBT, and MI techniques designed to address nutritional issues. Also provided are practical counseling suggestions and handouts. This is an intermediate course intended for practicing clinicians.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe a nutrition technique based on Motivational Interviewing.
2. Describe a nutrition technique based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
3. Describe a nutrition technique based on Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.
4. Design a nutrition-related technique that can be used in the attendee’s practice setting.

Anita Johnston, PhD

When working with eating disorders, body image issues are often the first to show up and the last to leave. This Eating Disorder Course shows how to use metaphor to help clients shift their attention away from how they look to how they see. This is an intermediate course intended for practicing clinicians.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the role of symbolic language in negative self-talk about the body.
2. Explain how metaphor functions as a change agent.
3. Utilize metaphor as a tool for understanding and treating body image issues and eating disorders.

Walter Kaye, MD

Research conducted by Dr. Kaye showed that patients with anorexia nervosa required greater than normal caloric intake to maintain a stable weight and had elevated activity levels during the 2 - 6 weeks following the weight restoration phase of treatment. By contrast, such patients studied 6 months or longer after weight recovery had normal caloric intake and activity levels. The prolonged delay in normalization of caloric intake and activity is mirrored by the slow return to normal of the neuroendocrine dysregulation that characterizes this disorder. This Eating Disorder Course will review the research findings and recommend a weight maintenance plan that incorporates them into a treatment plan that enhances the likelihood of permanent recovery. This is an intermediate course intended for practicing clinicians.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the caloric requirements to gain weight.
2. Describe the caloric requirements to maintain weight.
3. Discuss the role of exercise as it relates to caloric requirements in weight maintenance.

Pauline S. Powers, MD

In this advanced, clinical Eating Disorder Course, Dr. Powers will provide a multidimensional view of the complexities of treating patients with eating disorders and co-morbid psychiatric disorders. Using actual cases and the treatment plans that were prescribed, she shows participants the effectiveness of various strategies that she has used by creating a unique combination of treatment techniques, integrative practices, and medication to fit each individual. She will share how she has utilized two structured interview methods (the MINI and MINI-KID) as well as a structured physiological evaluation tool to detect the potential presence of eating disorders and co-morbid conditions in clients. This is an intermediate course intended for practicing clinicians.

Learning Objectives

1. List four psychiatric disorders that often co-occur with eating disorders.
2. Describe two major treatment modalities that have been utilized for patients with eating disorders.
3. Discuss the evidence base for the effectiveness of each of these modalities.

Dena Cabrera, PsyD

Understanding the role of digital media in the formation of youthful identities is extremely important when working with adolescents and young adults with eating disorders. The growth of the Pro Ana/ProMia movements on the internet has coincided with more individuals claiming their eating disorder as their identity. Individuals are hosting, chatting, and even creating video diaries claiming that this is their "lifestyle." This Eating Disorder Course and workshop will explore these movements and provide up-to-date research on the impact of Pro Ana/Pro Mia websites. A treatment approach will be presented to assist parents and professionals to best respond to this growing trend. This is an intermediate course intended for practicing clinicians.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the role of digital media in the formation of youthful identities and its connection to eating disorders.
2. Understand why eating disorder individuals create personal internet sites and the various attractions to pro eating disorder websites.
3. Understand the impact of the Pro Ana / Pro Mia websites and how professionals and parents can effectively intervene.

Margo Maine, PhD, FAED

In his role as “first man” in a girl’s life, a father or stepfather sets the standard for male expectations, exerting a profound impact on his daughter’s body image and vulnerability for eating disorders. This Eating Disorder Course explores the impact of this oft-neglected relationship on both daughter and dad, describes ways to engage fathers in eating disorders treatment, and demonstrates the role fathers have in changing cultural body image attitudes in the societal “body wars” undermining girls. This is an intermediate course intended for practicing clinicians.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the impact of the father-daughter relationship on girls.
2. Discuss possible counter-transference issues related to clinicians’ own relationships with their fathers.
3. Create treatment plans that engage fathers in treatment, prevention, and advocacy.

Ralph Carson, PhD, RD, LD

There is a great deal of confusion among dieters over the concept of a food addiction and abstinence from sugar and white flour. Many emotions and behaviors are tied into the overweight and eating disorder patient’s relationship with food. This Eating Disorder Course deals with neurophysiological basis of how trigger foods may control a person’s life to the point it takes on characteristics of an addiction. Though there is little scientific evidence that one is addicted to sugar or white flour, the possibility of addiction to the sensory aspects of trigger foods will be explored. If those controlling foods are removed from the person’s diet, there needs to be similar constructive alternatives to take their place or recovery is short lived.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will be able to differentiate between a chemical addiction and a process addiction.
2. Participants will be able to identify pathways through which emotions are transformed into neurochemical messages.
3. Participants will be able to suggest substitutes for food cravings that elicit equal neurochemical responses.

Walter Kaye, MD

There is a growing understanding of how powerful brain processes contribute to behaviors that create and sustain Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN). Such knowledge has resulted in court rulings that have classified eating disorders (ED) as biologically based brain disorders. However, relatively little has been done to apply this new understanding of the biological component to develop more effective ED treatment. This Eating Disorder Course and training will use case examples to describe new treatment strategies that are based on science and research into the neurobiology of AN and BN. This is an intermediate course intended for practicing clinicians.

Learning Objectives

1. Name circuits involved in gustatory stimuli processing.
2. Describe temperament and personality traits common in people with eating disorders
3. Describe typical eating behaviors in people with anorexia nervosa.

Pauline S. Powers, MD

In this Eating Disorder Course, Dr. Powers will review the medications commonly used to manage symptoms related to eating disorders including one that is currently approved by the FDA. Medications that are sometimes used to treat co-morbid psychiatric disorders and/or common physiological complications of eating disorders will be described along with potential benefits and risks of their use. Several case vignettes will illustrate common problems that can occur when developing a treatment plan for an individual, including how the client’s developmental stage and simple timing can affect the choice of therapist. A specific focus will be on integrating treatment for eating disorders with the treatment of substance use disorders utilizing the 12 step model. This is an advanced course.

Learning Objectives

1. Discuss drugs currently approved for the treatment of eating disorders as well as off-label uses of various classes of medications that are often helpful.
2. Identify the potential risks and benefits of combining medications and various psychotherapy techniques.
3. Choose medications for the common co-morbid psychiatric disorders and physiological complications and integrate these decisions into a comprehensive treatment program that includes psychotherapy.

Donald Altman, MA, LPC

This Eating Disorder Course and training explains how brain science and the new field of interpersonal neurobiology blend with ancient mindfulness to rewire the brain, as well as old eating habits.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the principles of 'mindful eating'.
2. Explain the effects of food on brain chemistry.
3. List the three primary neurocircuits affected by food.
4. This is an intermediate course intended for practicing clinicians.

Anita Johnston, PhD

This Eating Disorder Course explores disordered eating behaviors as symbolic of deeper yearnings and longings and demonstrates how to use metaphor to uncover and address these hidden hungers in a therapeutic setting. This is an intermediate course intended for practicing clinicians.

Learning Objectives

1. Use imagery and metaphor as a tool in a therapeutic setting.
2. Explain how the symbolism of food cravings can be used to discover hidden emotional hungers.
3. List 4 metaphoric categories of food cravings and/or phobias

Marcia Herrin, EdD, MPH

In this Eating Disorder Course and training, the fundamentals of the Maudsley approach will be described, case examples will be provided, and the research will be reviewed. Participants will have opportunity to observe and to play a part in a coached meal experience - the cornerstone of the Maudsley approach. In addition, participants will explore other effective food-related interventions with families and with individual patients. This is an advanced course intended for practicing clinicians.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe how parents can effectively use re-feeding methods.
2. Demonstrate three techniques that improve a child’s eating behaviors.
3. Create a treatment plan that is compatible with the Maudsley approach.

Anita Johnston, PhD

This Eating Disorder Course explores how modern western culture’s disregard for the significance of menarche has contributed to the emergence of eating disorders and negative body image in girls and women. Ways of addressing this in a clinical setting will be given. This is an intermediate course intended for practicing clinicians.

Learning Objectives

1. List the 3 archetypal transitions in the feminine life cycle.
2. Describe how the devaluation of the menstrual cycle can contribute to negative body image & eating disorders.
3. Discuss the challenges for women with eating disorders at different stages of the menstrual cycle.
4. Describe the inner resources available at different stages of the menstrual cycle.

Donald Altman, MA, LPC

This Eating Disorder Course and workshop shows how to engage clients in an inspiring and integrative view of food. You’ll explore the principles of mindful eating and discover what it means to eat mindfully.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the principles of 'mindful eating'.
2. Recite the definition of hunger within the context of 'mindful eating'.
3. Demonstrate the 4-mindfulness bite method for slowing down and sensing food.
4. This is an intermediate course intended for practicing clinicians.

Margo Maine, PhD, FAED

Contemporary women experience unprecedented pressures, multiple roles and stressors, and unreasonable standards for perfection. The Body Myth falsely promises that control of weight, shape, and eating, will satisfy their needs and appetites, resulting in increased eating disorders. This Eating Disorder Course and workshop addresses the unique clinical issues and needs of adult women. This is an intermediate course intended for practicing clinicians.

Learning Objectives

1. Discuss patterns of eating disorders and body image despair currently seen in adult women.
2. Prepare clinical approaches to treat adult eating disorders and body image despair.
3. Discuss the implications for prevention, outreach, and professional training.

Ann Kearney-Cooke, PhD

Ann Kearney-Cooke, psychologist and leading authority in body image and self-esteem issues, will discuss new and time-tested approaches from her years as a researcher and practitioner in the eating disorder treatment field in her Eating Disorder Course at e-Summits. This is an intermediate course intended for practicing clinicians.

Learning Objectives

1. Integrate motivational interviewing into nutritional counseling.
2. Discuss how body image and self-esteem issue contribute to the eating disorder pathology.
3. Generate new practice ideas using research findings and lessons learned from evidence-based programs.