Treatments for ARFID, Orthorexia, Binge-Eating & Weight Management

An Overview of Treatments for ARFID, Orthorexia, Binge-Eating Disorder and Medical Weight Management

Presented By:

Alexia Spanos, Ph.D and Caitlyn Speck, Psy.D.

DATE: Friday, May 9th 2025

9:00 am until 4:00 pm PST

6 hours Continuing Education Credit  

Location: Central Oregon Community College

Middleton Science Center, Specific Room TBD

Coffee, snack, and lunch will be provided

This workshop will be capped at 70 participants

Workshop Overview:  This workshop will be presented in two parts. In part one Dr. Spanos will provide an introduction and overview of treatments for Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), Orthorexia, and Binge Eating Disorder. Despite rising prevalence rates for eating disorders, these presentations are often lesser-known manifestations of disordered eating that show up in a clinical setting. Thus, the goal of this workshop is to provide participants with an understanding of the definitions, clinical presentations and diagnostic clarification for these disorders. Emphasis will be placed on differential diagnosis and accurately diagnosing ARFID, 'Orthorexia' and Binge Eating Disorder. The workshop will also emphasize treatments for each, and participants will leave with an understanding of some of the basic components in the treatment of these three clinical presentations, including psychoeducation, exposure therapy, weight restoration interventions, and cognitive behavioral therapy. This workshop will also work to dispel myths about health and diet/wellness culture and present resources for participants to gain a better understanding of this problematic messaging. Participants will be given the opportunity for interaction and engagement throughout the presentation.

In part two, Dr. Speck will provide an introduction into how mental health providers can support clients living with obesity and/or seeking medically assisted weight management. The research on the impact of weight stigmatization, bias, and oppression as well as the language you can use to support your client will be reviewed. The intersection between medically assisted weight management and mental health as well as your role as the provider will be discussed. There will be a review of the Health at Every Size Perspective and the paradigm shift on how the medical model manages weight. Additionally, there will be an overview of the various and effective intervention modalities including CBT, ACT, mindfulness, shame management, body image approaches, and habit formation. Case examples will be provided to offer an opportunity to learn these concepts through a more practical and applicable lens. Time will be provided for open discussion on provider apprehensions or questions regarding this treatment approach. 

Learning Objectives:  In this training, attendees will:

• Be able to speak to, and help clients dispel myths about diet/wellness culture
• Obtain a general understanding of the impact of stigmatization, bias and living with obesity on mental health and quality of life
• Gain an understanding of how to accurately diagnose and recognize ARFID, 'Orthorexia' and Binge Eating Disorder, and learn about prevalence rates and clinical presentations for each disorder
• Gain an understanding of the basic components in the treatment of ARFID, 'Orthorexia' and Binge Eating Disorder
• Be able to describe the Health at Every Size Perspective and how it can inform your case conceptualization and communication with clients
• Name at least two medically assisted weight management options and gain baseline understanding of medical terminology
• Identify at least three evidence based interventions for supporting clients living with obesity and/or seeking medically assisted weight management

About the Presenters:  Dr. Caitlin Speck is a licensed psychologist based out of Bend, Oregon. Two years ago, she transitioned from working with St. Charles Health System and started a private practice with a specialty in health psychology. She obtained her doctorate in clinical psychology from George Fox University and completed her pre-doctoral internship at the VA hospital in Montana. Caitlin has worked within interdisciplinary teams in medical settings including primary care, hospital, and bariatric surgery centers. During her training at the VA, Dr. Speck completed a specialty rotation on assessing patient preparedness for bariatric surgery. Additionally, she led the bariatric surgery support group (for both pre and post-operative patients) at Salem Health Hospital for over 2 years. Her research experience, including her dissertation, has centered on supporting quality of life with those living with obesity and those seeking medically assisted weight management. Health at Every Size, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, compassion and/or neutrality based body image, mindfulness, shame management and habit formation theories inform her approach in working with clients.

Dr. Alexia Spanos specializes in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, anxiety disorders and trauma for adolescents and adults. She also specializes in the treatment of eating disorders across the lifespan. Dr. Spanos has over ten years’ experience treating individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in individual and group therapy and through volunteering with the Seattle OCD and Hoarding Disorder Support Group. She has also completed the Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI), through the International OCD Foundation in 2014. The BTTI is an in-depth, three-day intensive training course in exposure and response prevention therapy for the treatment of OCD and related disorders taught by world-renowned experts in the field. Dr. Spanos obtained her PhD in clinical psychology from Michigan State University and completed her pre-doctoral internship at McLean Hospital/A Harvard Medical School Affiliate. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Evidence-Based Treatment Centers of Seattle (EBTCS) where she completed dual training through the Anxiety Center and the Eating Disorders Center. Before moving to Central Oregon in 2020, Dr. Spanos was a staff psychologist, Director of Training and, most recently, Co-Director of the Eating Disorders Center at EBTCS between 2014-2020.

Costs: COAP uses an online registration process that accepts credit and debit cards. The lowest registration rates are associated with early registration, we encourage you to sign up early to make sure you have a spot. This workshop is limited to the first 95 participants who register.

Registered by 4/24/2025

COAP Members: $150

Non COAP Members: $165

Registered after 4/24/2025

COAP Members: $160

Non COAP Members: $170

Student Invited: $70

**A $50 cancellation fee will be assessed for all cancellations.

*Membership in COAP is limited to Central Oregon based active and retired psychologists, residents, and psychologist associates. You must be current with COAP dues to register at the membership rate. Yearly COAP dues are $25 and are collected in September via Cheddar Up website (a small fee will be charged by cheddar up). Please use this link to pay dues: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/coap-membership-2024-25/items?cart

We welcome all allied mental health practitioners to our workshops (at non-member registration rates). Receiving Continuing Education credit from your various Licensing Boards is left to the discretion of the individual practitioner. Please see note below about APA.

**A $50 cancellation fee will be assessed for all cancellations. Registration fee will not be refunded for dissatisfaction with the training or for no-shows.

Students are invited to attend for $50. Please be prepared to submit a copy of your student identification card as proof of your student status.

Questions can be directed to [email protected]

Check out the COAP website for additional information https://www.coapworkshops.org

Host or Publisher Central Oregon Association of Psychologists Regional affiliate of the Oregon Psychological Association