Therapists typically receive little graduate instruction on working with eating disordered individuals. Although most programs will provide a brief overview of the diagnostic criteria for recognizing an eating disorder, little if any information will be provided on how to recognize the subtle, often hidden behaviors of the eating disordered individuals; moreover, how to properly treat the person who is struggling.

This training is intended to provide a broad overview of critical information necessary to provide proper care for the eating disordered client. Facilitators will learn how to assess and diagnose eating disorders, the underlying issues that contribute to the development of an eating disorder, statistical trends in eating disorders, health implications of eating disorders, the ways social media is promoting and contributing to eating disorders and therapeutic tools and interventions to utilize with one’s clients.

The training will utilize slides, handouts, video, discussion and live demonstration.

Point #1

An overview of the various types of eating disorders including recent changes to the DSM criteria. This section will further highlight eating disorders that have not yet been included in the Statistical Manuel.

Educational Goals:

Participants will discover that given the reduction in qualifying criteria, more individuals will now be diagnosed as having an eating disorder. Clients will also become aware of new trends in eating disordered behaviors.

Specific measurable learning objectives:

• Identify eating disorders identified in the DSM – 5
• Identify the most recent changes to the diagnostic criteria for Anorexia and Bulimia
• Recognize the Addition of BED to the DSM-5
• Recognize the elimination of “obesity” (in DSM IV) as a mental disorder in the DSM 5.
• Identify behaviors indicative of Orthorexia, Bigorexia, Drunkorexia and Exercise Bulimia.
• Identify the inclusion of Pica, Rumination Disorder, and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder in the DSM-5 Eating Disorder section vs. in the Feeding Disorders of Infancy and Childhood section (DSM-IV).

Point #2

The underlying issues that contribute to the development of and eating disorder.

Educational Goals:

Participants will discover factors that contribute to the likelihood of one developing an eating disorder; moreover, how eating disorders serve as a coping mechanism.

Specific measurable learning objectives:

• Identify several myths and realities about eating disorders.
• Identify the impact of genetics and environmental factors that create an increased risk for developing an eating disorder.
• Identify how eating disorders serve as a coping mechanism to deal with family dynamics, sexual abuse, social distress, being adopted or having gender confusion.

Point #3

Statistical trends in eating disorders.

Educational Goals:

Participants will analyze trends in susceptibility to eating disorders and recovery rates.

Specific measurable learning objectives:

• Clients will identify at least 3 statistical trends.

Point #4

Health implications of eating disorders.

Educational Goals:

Participants will discover medical conditions caused by eating disorders and be able to identify physical signs that one is engaging in eating disordered behaviors.

Specific measurable learning objectives:

• Identify medical conditions associated with anorexia.
• Identify medical conditions associated with bulimia.
• Identify medical conditions associated with BED.
• Identify physical signs that an individual is engaging in eating disordered behaviors.

Point #5

Social media promotion of eating disordered behaviors.

Educational Goals:

Participants will analyze how eating disordered individuals are promoting and glamorizing unhealthy ideals about body image and how to lose weight via social media.

Specific measurable learning objective

• Identify at least 2 online forums that contribute to eating disordered behaviors and ideals.

Point #6

Secretive eating disorder behaviors

Educational Goals:

Participants will discover secretive behaviors that eating disordered individuals engage in to perpetuate their eating disorder.

Specific measurable learning objective:

• Identify at least 5 behaviors that eating disordered individuals might secretly engage in.

Point #7

Therapeutic interventions to utilize with the eating disordered client.

Educational Goals

Participants will discover therapeutic tools to utilize in the various stages of treatment including topics to

discuss in the initial session, boundaries to set, interventions, writing assignments, and ways to

educational materials to share with client.

Specific measurable learning objectives:

• How to conduct the initial intake.
• 6 items to discuss in the first session.
• 5 items to discuss in the early session (2-4).
• Identify how to create and utilize a Contract for Outpatient treatment
• Identify 5 levels of Motivation for change & how to utilize these with the client
• Identify 7 ways to assist client in recognizing their eating disordered voice.
• Identify truths and fallacies about eating disorders and how to utilize this information to help client better understand themselves.
• Identify 3 parts to the eating disorder cycle.
• 3 metaphors to utilize with clients.
• Identify 8 Cognitive distortions utilized by eating disordered clients and how to incorporate discussion and therapeutic interventions related to these.
• The benefits of writing and examples of homework assignments.
• How to conduct a Meal Challenge.

TIMING OF WORKSHOP

9:00 - 9:15 Registration

9:15 - 9:30 Introduction to Michelle Gross Background and Diagnostics

9:30 - 9:45 Warning Signs of Eating Disorders

9:45 – 10:00 Health Implications of Eating Disorders

10:00 – 10:15 Risk Factors and Co-Occurring Disorders

10:15 – 10:30 The Function of an Eating Disorder

10:30 - 10:45 Social Media and the Promotion of Eating Disorders

10:45 – 11:00 Break

11:00 – 11:15 Initial Phone Call

11:15 – 11:45 How to Conduct the Initial Session

11:45 – 12:15 How to Conduct the Second Session

12:15 – 12:45 Lunch

12:45 – 1:15 The Middle Stage of Treatment: Tools and Interventions

1:15 – 1:45 The Final Phase of Treatment: Tools and Interventions

1:45 – 2:00 Q & A