Background: Two experienced professionals in the field of eating disorders discuss new strategies for treating those cases we all feel uncomfortable with. To increase effectiveness with challenging cases, Bishop and Brennan will introduce innovative concepts from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Relational Frame Theory (RFT) and Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT).
Content Outline:
- Definition of Challenging Cases
- Introduction of case examples
- Examples from audience
- Limitations of current treatment models
- Gaps in research
- Needs of current populations
- Brief overview of innovative treatment models
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Relational Frame Theory (RFT)
- Cognitive Remediation Theory (CRT)
- Integration of ACT, RFT and CRT into treatment of eating disorders using case examples
- Functional Analysis
- Contextual Control
- Perspective Taking
- Rule governed behaviors (including experiential exercise with audience)
- Cognitive defusion
- Values clarification (including experiential exercise with audience)
- Augmentation
- Conclusion and Discussion
Two experienced professionals in the field of eating disorders discuss new strategies for treating those cases we all feel uncomfortable with. As we have seen more people access treatment for eating disorders, we are also treating more cases with behaviors and symptoms that are pervasive, persistent, resistant and distress producing. Many of these cases, such as those with self-harming/suicidal symptoms, projective identification, and high levels of resistance, have not responded to traditional treatment methods and require a willingness on the part of the practitioner to explore new strategies to guide behavioral change. To increase effectiveness with this population, Bishop and Brennan will introduce innovative concepts from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Relational Frame Theory (RFT) and Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT). Case examples and experiential exercises will be used to help clinicians expand their skill sets in contextual analysis, contextual control, perspective taking, modifying rule governed behavior, using values as a compass, augmenting behaviors outside of the treatment setting and increasing overall psychological flexibility. The audience will be invited to participate in exercises that clarify values and help to eliminate and/or enhance rule governed behavior. Integration and application of ACT, RFT and CRT into the treatment of eating disorders is the cutting edge in improving and enhancing the treatment experience for both the patient and the provider seeking a new approach.
Dr. Emmett Bishop has more than 30 years experience treating eating disorders and is the Medical Director of Outpatient Services and Program Development at Eating Recovery Center in Denver, Colorado. He has served on the iaedp™ Board of Directors since 1993 and is a past president. He has been a member of the Academy for Eating Disorders since its inception in 1993 and is an Academy Fellow. Dr. Bishop has been a member of the Editorial Board of Eating Disorders Journal of Treatment and Prevention and the American Journal of Psychiatry, and other professional journals.
Bonnie Brennan is the Clinical Director of Adult Partial Hospitalization Services at Eating Recovery Center in Denver Colorado, caring for more than 45 patients. In addition to her experience in counseling and marriage and family therapy, she has been instrumental in program and curriculum development and supervision of Eating Recovery Center’s clinical staff. She speaks monthly to 30+ family members and is frequently featured in web, television and radio media related to eating disorders.
