On-Demand Events

Other Clinical Teaching Topics

Topic: How to Support Individuals with Eating Disorders

Facilitator: Dr. Anita Federici, PhD, CPsych, FAED

Speakers:
Dr. Jennifer Couturier, MD, FECPC, FAED
Rachel Dies, BASc, RD
James Downs, MEd
Dr. Kyle T. Ganson, PhD, RSW
Scout Silverstein, MPH
Anne Williams, BASc, RD

Description of Event:

By way of didactic presentations, group discussions, and case examples, this 3-day training explores current foundational knowledge for health professionals supporting anyone struggling with an eating disorder at any age and wherever we may find them (e.g., family health team, community mental health or addiction program, emergency room, hospital inpatient unit, etc.).

Who is this training for?

This training is designed for healthcare practitioners working in Ontario in publicly funded (no-fee-for-service) programs including social workers, psychologists, dietitians, physicians, nurses, and other health professionals supporting an individual with an eating disorder.

Session Topics & Learning Objectives:

Clinical Diagnoses: “Getting Under the Hood”

• Describe the 7 eating disorder diagnoses per DSM-5
• Explore the evolution and rationale for changes that have occurred within diagnostic categories.
• Identify common co-occurring conditions

Assessment Considerations

• Describe 4 core assessment domains
• Select appropriate self-report measures for different ED presentations
• Identify baseline and ongoing medical testing needs

Causal and Maintaining Factors

• Identify how genetics, metabolism, and sensory differences underlie ED development
• Integrate current research on socio-cultural factors into psychoeducational
• Explain the role of invalidating environments on the maintenance of ED symptoms

Weight Science and Weight Bias

• Reflect on one’s own potential biases around weight and appearance
• Explore research and lived experience findings on the negative effects of weight bias, stigma and discrimination in healthcare and on individuals
• Understand the impact of weight bias in limiting the identification and treatment outcomes of those living with eating disorders, especially those in straight-sized or larger bodies
• Briefly review weight science and challenge common assumptions
• Explore equitable, trauma-informed approaches and resources that may help to reduce the effects of weight bias in eating disorders prevention, identification and treatment.

The Art and Science of Helping People Eat

• Critically analyze how historical narratives of eating disorders shape modern approaches to nutrition support
• Recognize the diverse factors that influence feeding and eating behaviours
• Compare methods of nutrition support in eating disorder treatment and identify factors that influence their use

Eating Disorders among Gender-Diverse Populations

• Identify at least three unique stressors that gender-diverse individuals may experience and their relationship to eating disorder behaviors
• Describe at least two actions participants can take to create more inclusive support spaces
• Understand at least two interventions clinicians can incorporate into their practice to explore gender identity, ideals, and expression.

Eating Disorders and Muscle Dysmorphia among Boys and Men

• No longer available on-demand based on speaker permission

Treatment Approaches

• Explore what we know and don’t know about evidence-based treatments
• Define universal approaches and philosophies to care
• Describe ways to provide anti-stigma and hopeful responses to patients

To Weigh or Not to Weigh

• Explain why use of the body mass index (BMI) is problematic as a diagnostic indicator
• Understand set point theory and its use in ED treatment
• Compare different approaches to weighing patients (e.g., CBT-E versus HAES)
• Apply strategies to reduce trauma and invalidation when talking to patients about weight

How the Eating Disorder Impacts the Body

• Describe the short-term and long-term physical effects of eating disorders on various body systems (e.g., digestive, cardiovascular, skeletal, reproductive)
• Discuss the potential life-threatening complications of eating disorders, including heart failure and electrolyte imbalances.
• Explain the role of multidisciplinary treatment teams (e.g., dietitians, physicians, mental health professionals) in holistic recovery.

The Role of Medication in Treating Eating Disorders

• Describe the available evidence for the use of antipsychotics in children and adolescents with eating disorders.
• Describe the available evidence for the use of SSRIs in children and adolescents with eating disorders.
• Describe the evidence base for other psychotropic medications in the treatment of children and adolescents with eating disorders including mood stabilizers, and SNRIs.
• Describe clinical use of medications in eating disorders through case examples.

Flyers: See attached for details

Additional Materials: No additional materials are available.

Links to the on-demand recordings will be sent in a confirmation email upon registration.
For questions related to event registration, please contact us at: events@eatingdisordersontario.ca