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Saturday, March 7, 2009: 9:00 AM-10:30 AM
Shanghai (Westin Long Beach)
This interactive presentation begins by discussing childhood/adolescent Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and explores the correlation between the lack of family emotional attachment and the development of compulsive eating in childhood. The presenter will clarify the concept of physical vs. psychological satiety and how it contributes to emotional connection and disconnection. Attendees will discover expressive and innovative therapeutic techniques (i.e. creative visualization exercises, "each of us is different" art therapy & “family rituals”). Clinicians will take home healing strategies and ideas to help families foster a healthy attachment and connection en route to feeding emotional hunger in and outside the kitchen.
This interactive presentation explores ways which families connect both physically and psychologically. Emotional family connectedness and attachment will be examined in several ways. The presenter begins with research from a 2002 article (Cox) “Outlining Rules for Raising Children” with reference to children and connectedness, discussing the cultivation of connection with children everyday, both physically, (through sound, smell, and touch), and emotionally, (through feelings and thoughts), in turn, nourishing and deepening the family relationship. Furthermore, through group experiential exercises, client-written case presentations, and the PAR Theory (Parental Acceptance-Rejection Theory - Dominy & Johnson, 2000), participants will grasp a greater understanding of how the lack of family emotional attachment can contribute to binge eating (and obesity) in children and adolescents. The PAR theory, an important though not widely known theory, presents a created continuum, with REJECTION (perceived absence of parental warmth and nurturing and affection) at one end of the spectrum, and ACCEPTANCE, (perceived presence of warmth and nurturing) at the other end. This study saw a direct relationship between (Binge Eating Disorder) and parental acceptance. In addition, we will discuss and clarify the difference between the concepts of “physical attachment” according to John Bowlby, ( Family Therapy, Nichols & Schwartz) and emotional attachment. Clinicians will be encouraged to share thoughts and feelings about their own interpersonal family connectivity experience. An overview of binge and emotional eating will be explored reinforcing the idea of food as the symptom for providing emotional attachment, and comfort. Activities and techniques will be presented to use for both individual and group treatment settings. Attendees will take home innovative and expressive therapeutic
ideas that will help create change for the client and/or family involved in the treatment process (i.e. creative visualization exercises, "each of us is different", “family rituals”). Professionals will also attain hopeful strategies to discourage the development of binge eating issues in childhood through using early intervention and emotionally connective activities for the whole family (i.e. “Connection in the Kitchen” and “Family Journal”). In conclusion, there will be a Q & A segment, a group discussion regarding a treatment team approach, and suggestions for other collateral resources.
Binge eating disorders (BED, emotional eating, and obesity) continues to be an increasing problem today in our pint-sized population. The lack of emotional attunement within the family system also plays a large role in and outside the kitchen. There are two main goals for this timely presentation. Firstly, we will explore how the lack of emotional attachment and connectedness within a family system correlates to the development of Binge Eating Disorder in children and adolescents. Using experiential exercises, group discussion, self-written case presentations and theoretical information, attendees will receive a clear understanding of ways families physically and psychologically feed their children (or don’t feed their children). Secondly, clinicians will learn healing strategies to help families foster healthy attachment and connection en route to feeding emotional hunger. Participants will learn innovative and expressive therapeutic interventions (art, movement and family togetherness activities) to increase psychological satiety. Enhancing family emotional attachment, instead of self-soothing and regulating affect with food in childhood, is a key concept to preventing childhood binge eating, which many times, can lead to further development of other eating disorder behaviors.
ideas that will help create change for the client and/or family involved in the treatment process (i.e. creative visualization exercises, "each of us is different", “family rituals”). Professionals will also attain hopeful strategies to discourage the development of binge eating issues in childhood through using early intervention and emotionally connective activities for the whole family (i.e. “Connection in the Kitchen” and “Family Journal”). In conclusion, there will be a Q & A segment, a group discussion regarding a treatment team approach, and suggestions for other collateral resources.
Primary Presenter:
Michele Lynne Tamarkin, M.A., LMFT
Michele Tamarkin, licensed psychotherapist, certified fitness trainer and iaedp –LA-President. She has specialized 15 years in therapeutic fitness, body/self-esteem, and disordered eating for children and adults. Michele worked 3 years at the Eating Disorder Center of California and presented at AAMFT and iaedp National Conferences on ED issues in childhood. Her physical & psychological fitness approach encourages healthy behaviors early in life. Michele’s passion for ED prevention and youth wellness enabled her unique creation -“Kid Power!” - book/program. Recent endeavors; collaboration w/Rachel Ray website to combat childhood obesity, National Chair position with iaedp, and writing a book-What’s Eating Our Children?
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