Supporting All Practitioners in Caring for People with Eating Disorders

Kim DuBois LPC & Grace Melrose RD, CEDS

It Takes a Village: Supporting Practitioners in Managing Eating Disorders with Compassion and Care

Event Schedule:

7:45 am - 8:15 am - Check In, Breakfast & Conversation with colleagues and sponsors

8:15 am - 11:30 am - Announcements & Presentation

Participants must be present for the entire presentation, ALL participants will sign in and sign out, and complete the evaluation in order to obtain an attendance certificate.

Objectives:

1. Identify different eating disorders through the use of screening tools and/or clinical assessments.
2. Distinguish between adaptive language from common myths, biases, and misinformation that undermine appropriate treatment support.
3. Identify appropriate individual and family treatment approaches while assessing level of care needs.
4. Identify how individual target weights for both adults and adolescents vary, and how myths and internal biases related to target weights affect treatment goal setting and outcomes.

Description:

This workshop is designed to equip all clinicians with essential skills to better support any client by addressing key aspects of eating disorder diagnosis, treatment, and care. This presentation is designed to empower clinicians in various areas of therapeutic practice with the tools to provide compassionate, evidence-based care when faced with supporting a person with an eating disorder. Participants will gain practical knowledge in identifying eating disorders through the use of reliable screening tools and clinical assessments, thus enabling them to recognize key symptoms and accurately distinguish between diagnoses. The training will address challenges posed by common myths, biases, and misinformation that undermine treatment, reflecting a commitment to diversity, examining how gender, culture, and other social factors influence the diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders. Special attention will be given to assessing and supporting at-risk populations, such as LGBTQ+ teens, to ensure that treatment approaches are inclusive and effective for all clients. The workshop will also focus on assessing the appropriate level of care to determine when more intensive interventions are required, ensuring that clients receive the right support at the right time. A key aspect of the training will focus on understanding how target weights vary between adolescents and adults and how internal biases related to weight goals can impact treatment outcomes. The session will emphasize the importance of setting recovery-focused goals that avoid harm and promote long-term wellness.

Kim DuBois, LPC is a grandmother, martial artist, amateur painter, and the Clinical Director at Monte Nido Rosewood. An Arizona native, she enjoys time outside with her husband and fur babies swimming, walking, or hiking. Kim has embodied the true spirit of a helper and healer for over 30 years. She began her professional career as a nurse and now has the honor of working in the behavioral health field. She derives great value from her role as a therapist and Director, appreciating every opportunity to guide, mentor, and heal. Kim is proud to have successfully launched the only adolescent eating disorder PHP program in Arizona, and continues to dedicate herself to both personal and professional excellence.

Grace Melrose, RDN, CEDS is a committed nutrition professional with over ten years of experience specializing in eating disorders. Grace began her career in the field of eating disorders at a residential home in Tucson, Arizona, and later expanded her expertise to include endocrinology, gastrointestinal health, bariatric surgery, and functional medicine. After a distinguished 20-year military career, she retired as Chief of Nutritional Medicine from the United States Air Force. Grace continues to volunteer, raising awareness about the mental health needs within the military community. She also volunteers to educate medical graduate students at the University of Arizona Medical College about nutritional science and eating disorders. Currently, as the Director of Nutrition at Monte Nido Rosewood, she leads both the nutrition and culinary teams while also supporting the wider Monte Nido Nutrition Department.

This workshop is appropriate for: Mental health professionals, physicians, nurses, dietitians, nutritionists, school counselors, school psychologists, health coordinators, and other helping professions with an interest in learning more about the prevention, treatment, and recovery from an eating disorder. 3 Continuing Education Credits available: Psychologists - This program is co-sponsored by The Meadows and iaedp-Tucson. The Meadows is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists; The Meadows maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Participants must be present for the entire presentation (sign in and sign out required) and complete the evaluation in order to obtain a CE certificate. This course meets criteria for 3.0 hours of continuing education credit hours for psychologists. The iaedpTM Foundation, Inc., and their affiliated Chapters do not endorse any individual sponsors, treatment facilities, or their treatment philosophies. The accuracy of information is based on the presenter’s research and resources.

Host or Publisher International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals - Tucson Chapter