101690: Learning a New Language to Speak to Your Body

About the Course:

Webinar from the 2009 International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals Symposium.
Note: For this course there is a small additional fee to obtain the webinar. Please see the “Get Course Materials” link in the right sidebar for details.

In this webinar, participants will learn about the concept of mentalizing and how it can be applied in eating disorder treatment to enhance patients’ interpersonal effectiveness and capacity for empathy with self and others. Among others, Finn Skaarderuud and Kathryn Zerbe are raising awareness that eating disorder patients need to have a conscious understanding of the meaning of their eating disorder behavior. Mentalizing provides the time and space within the therapeutic relationship to strengthen adaptive defenses, explore issues of attachment and build new ego strengths. An interactive demonstration of mentalizing exercises will be presented with the participation of attendees.

Eating disorders typically lead to a disconnect between mind and body. Psychodrama is one therapeutic technique that can be utilized to reconnect mind and body together. Here is a unique opportunity to gain experience in understanding psychodrama, its history, and philosophy. This experiential workshop will provide you with specific interventions that you can use with your clients in your own practice.

Content Outline:
I. Overview of presentation
II. History of Psychodrama and Relevance to ED Treatment A. Definition of Psychodrama B. History of Psychodrama C. Philosophy of Psychodrama and how it applies to ED Treatment 1. Role Theory 2. Sociometry 3. Theory of Spontaneity D. Psychodramatic Process 1. Vocabulary 2. Goals of Psychodrama with the ED Patient 3. Primary Techniques
III. Experiential Activities A. Goal Setting B. Roles in Life C. Body Image
IV. Wrap-Up

Authors

Angelica Gonzalez, LMHC (presenter); Karen Trevithick, Psy.D. (presenter)

About the Authors:

Angelica has been working in the field of trauma therapy for 4 years and has been receiving training in psychodrama for 6 years. She has recently joined the team at the Oliver-Pyatt Centers as a Primary and Group Therapist where she implemented her psychodrama training and trauma work within the field of eating disorder therapy. Additionally, Angelica provides individual, group and family treatment for children, adolescents, non-offending caregivers, and adult survivors of sexual abuse/violence. Angelica brings with her much enthusiasm, creativity, and multi-cultural awareness in the work that she does.

Dr. Trevithick received her doctorate from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Her clinical training centered around the treatment of survivors of torture, complex trauma, and eating disorders. She is currently the Clinical Director for the Comprehensive Program at the Oliver-Pyatt Centers in Miami. For the previous 8 years, she was the coordinator of an Eating Disorder Partial Hospitalization Program in Illinois. Additionally, she provides individual and group psychotherapy for individuals who struggle with eating disorders and/or have a history of chronic childhood abuse.

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for health care professionals, especially psychologists, therapists, and counselors who seek to update their research knowledge and competency in treating patients with eating disorders, increase and acquire new skills, learn new intervention strategies, and obtain continuing education credits. It is appropriate for professionals at all levels of knowledge.

Course Objectives:

1. After this presentation, participants will understand the benefits of utilizing psychodrama with an eating disorder population.

2. After this presentation, participants will understand the basics of psychodrama including history, philosophy, and terminology.

3. During this presentation, participants will experience three psychodramatic interventions that can be used with clients in areas such as goal setting, understanding the roles we have in our lives, and body image.