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Digital Seminar

Using Food to Survive Early Trauma

Binge Eating as Self-Harm Behavior

Speaker:
Amy Pershing, LMSW, ACSW, CCTP-II
Duration:
1 Hour 30 Minutes
Language:
Presented in EN, subtitles in EN, ES, DE, IT, and FR, handouts in EN, ES, DE, IT, and FR
Copyright:
03 Oct, 2023
Product Code:
POS059573
Media Type:
Digital Seminar

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Description

Binge eating often develops to protect clients from the overwhelming somatic and psychological experience of trauma. When few choices for coping are available, particularly in childhood, food may allow for stimulation, dissociation, and other means of survival. Amy Pershing, LMSW, ACSW, a pioneer in the treatment of binge eating disorder, will show you: 

  • How to transform your clients' relationships with food 
  • Strengths-based interventions to build affect tolerance and develop self-compassion 
  • Critical skills to address the impact of cultural body shaming and weight stigma on recovery 

Credit


Self-Study Credit

This self-study program consists of 1.5 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Credit requirements and approvals vary by country and local regulatory bodies. Please save the course outline, the certificate of completion you receive from the activity and contact your local regulatory organization to determine specific eligibility and requirements. 



Handouts

Speaker

Amy Pershing, LMSW, ACSW, CCTP-II's Profile

Amy Pershing, LMSW, ACSW, CCTP-II Related seminars and products

Center for Eating Disorders


Amy Pershing, LMSW, ACSW, CCTP-II, is the Founder of Bodywise. She is the President of the Board of the Center for Eating Disorders in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and co-founder of Pershing Consulting, LLC, which offers training to clinicians treating BED and trauma worldwide. She is also the Co-Founder of the Eating Disorders Education Institute (EDEI), a national training program for eating disorder professionals.  

 

Amy is an internationally known leader in the development of treatment paradigms for BED, and one of the first clinicians to specialize in BED treatment. Based on 35 years of clinical experience, Amy has pioneered an approach to BED recovery that is strengths-based and trauma informed, uniquely designed to heal the deeper issues that drive binge behaviors. Her approach integrates a non-diet body empowerment philosophy, helping clients create lasting change with food and body image. Amy also specializes in working with neurodivergence and BED.  

 

Amy lectures and teaches internationally on the treatment of BED for professional and lay communities; she has been featured on radio, podcast, and television programs around the world, speaking about BED treatment and recovery, relapse prevention, weight stigma, and a non-diet approach for eating and movement. She is the Past Chair of the Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA), and winner of BEDA’s Pioneer in Clinical Advocacy award. She is the author of the book Binge Eating Disorder: The Journey to Recovery and Beyond and The Emotional Eating, Chronic Dieting, Binge Eating & Body Image Workbook, with co-authors Judith Matz and Christy Harrison. 
 

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Amy Pershing is the founding director of Bodywise and has an employment relationship with The Center for Eating Disorders. She receives royalties as a published author. Amy Pershing receives a speaking honorarium, recording, and book royalties from Psychotherapy Networker and PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Amy Pershing is a founding board member of the Eating Disorders Action Network and The Body Freedom Project. She is the membership chair for the Eating Disorders Professional League of Michigan.


Additional Info

Program Information

Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)

Access never expires for this product.

 

For a more detailed outline that includes times or durations of time, if needed, please contact cepesi@pesi.com. ** no”Access to Self Study” tab available. 


Objectives

  1. Conduct an assessment for binge eating disorder.
  2. Examine binge eating and restriction through the lens of self-harm.
  3. Utilize at least two interventions to prepare clients to manage the impulse to binge.

Outline

Define binge eating/BED 
  • Understand how bingeing (and restriction) offer protections in the face of overwhelming experiences 
  • The Critical Components of the Change Process 
  • Treatment Essentials and Best/Worst Models of Practice 
  • Defining Recovery and case example 
Definitions 
  • What is a binge? How does it differ from “overeating”? 
  • What is BED? 
  • Stats about BED 
  • Etiology 
    • Trauma (especially trauma to body, and weight related bullying and body shaming); attachment trauma 
    • Dieting 
    • ADHD Spectrum; “HSP” 
  • How to assess for BED in clinical practice 
Bingeing and Restriction as Self-Harm Behaviors 
  • Used much like cutting and other NSSI behaviors: management of the FFFF response and overwhelming experience 
  • Food is more predictable, available, and already intrinsically comforting, especially for children 
    • Endogenous opiates released 
    • Binges lessen PFC availability, so dissociation achieved 
  • Less dissonance than cutting/burning 
  • May use body shape/size to communicate, as with cuts 
  • May begin organically with food restriction by dieting (even at early ages) 
Common Uses of Binge Eating and Restriction as NSSI 

The Basics of Change 
  • Any treatment model must be strengths-based in approach 
  • Abstinence models should be avoided 
    • Models that suggest bingeing is about being “powerless” should be avoided 
    • The “choice” to binge must belong to the client; no behavior contracts 
    • Bingeing must be seen as a part of the journey, not a “relapse”              
  • Weight stigma, body objectification must be addressed 
  • Non-diet/intuitive eating model builds trust in the body and allows clients to be the expert and owner of their body and experience 
  • “Fixing” the body (i.e. weight loss or shape change) should not be a treatment goal 
  • Using the POWR Model for the Impulse to Binge 
  • Pause into presence 
  • Open and allow 
  • Wisely consider 
  • Respond with care 
Case example using POWR 

Target Audience

  • Counselors   
  • Social Workers   
  • Psychologists   
  • Psychiatrists   
  • Marriage & Family Therapists   
  • Addiction Counselors   
  • Other mental health professionals  

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