Background: Therapists are using their own bodies as a treatment tool whether they are aware or not. Seasoned clinicians will explore use of their bodies while striving to remain authentic in the therapeutic relationship, cope with client discourse regarding therapist weight and size, sustain self-care, and address personal body image satisfaction.
Two Bodies in the Room: Using authentic connection and self-awareness for effective treatment of Binge Eating Disorder
Drs. Wendy Oliver-Pyatt, Karin Lawson and Melissa Spann
I. Self-Psychology as a frame for working with body image
a. Overview of Kohut's theory of self-psychology
b. Authenticity in treatment with binge eating disorder
c. Use of self as a recovered clinician in body image work
d. Case examples
II. Clinician Readiness and Self-Care
a. Client readiness for body image work with binge eating disorder
i. Emotionally dysregulated
ii. Rational and logical
iii. Relational
b. Relational body image work with clients who have binge eating disorder
i. Allowing for discourse in the room
ii. Empowerment and counter-culture messages
iii. Case examples
c. Colluding with avoidance of body image work
i. Clinician biases
1. Weight bias
2. Size bias
3. Additional biases that can emerge
d. The body image awareness and self-care of the clinician
i. Clinician self-reflection questions
ii. Quotes from clinicians on clinical body image work experiences
III. Supporting the client in seeking additional treatment for binge eating disorder
a. Body image work as a gauge for degree of illness
b. Engaging in the first steps of a higher level of care
c. Case examples
Therapists are using their own bodies as a treatment tool whether they are aware or not. It is inevitable that patients harbor thoughts and feelings about their therapist’s body and vice versa. Specifically, in the treatment of binge eating disorder, therapists have the opportunity to use authentic connection as part of the healing process. Through the framework of self-psychology, this presentation will explore effective interventions for open and authentic therapeutic experiences with clients with binge eating disorder and for body image therapy. Dr. Oliver-Pyatt and Dr. Lawson, experts in the treatment of binge eating disorder, will use clinical vignettes to describe successful treatment outcomes. Dr. Oliver-Pyatt will highlight insights gained from her history of an eating disorder, her history of using self-disclosure as a tool, and the reactions and experiences her patients have had to her own body and expectations about recovery. This workshop will additionally address how to sustain self-care and address personal body image satisfaction while working with eating disorder clients. Clinical examples of how seasoned clinicians experience their bodies and use their bodies while striving to remain authentic and honest in the therapeutic relationship, maintaining appropriate boundaries, coping with client discourse regarding therapist body weight and size, and weighing self-disclosure options when/if appropriate will be shared. Specific focus will be on the use of authentic connection and self-awareness in the treatment of binge eating disorder.
Wendy Oliver-Pyatt, MD, CEDS, FAED has created programs known for integrating compassion with science. Wendy is a clinician, educator, and advocate —having served as the AED Advocacy Committee Chairman, and Co-author of AED Guidelines for Obesity Prevention. Her book, Fed Up!, has been featured in a wide variety of national publications including Family Circle, Marie Claire, and Psychology Today. She has received Senatorial Recognition for her work as a psychiatrist, serves the Board of Directors of IAEDP and BEDA, and is actively involved with NEDA. Described as warm and caring, she believes that effective treatment can lead to full recovery.
Karin R. Lawson, PsyD, licensed clinical psychologist, is currently a Clinical Director of EMBRACE, the binge eating recovery program at Oliver-Pyatt Centers in South Miami, Florida. Her previous experience includes coordinating the Embodied Living program at the Institute for Girls' Development in Pasadena, California, as well as serving as the Eating Disorder Program Coordinator at UC-Davis Counseling and Psychological Services during her Postdoctoral Fellowship. Karin began her eating disorder work at The Renfrew Center's Florida residential program. She is a member of IAEDP and serves as the Education Committee Co-chair of the Miami-Dade chapter.
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Melissa A. Spann, PhD
Throughout the past decade, Dr. Spann has provided therapy to adolescents, adults, couples and families. Dr. Spann is an experienced therapist, facilitator and educator. Her focus is on adolescent development, women’s health, eating disorders, and mood disorders. Dr. Spann earned her Doctor of Philosophy degree from Drexel University, Masters in Mental Health Counseling from University of Miami and B.S. from University of Florida. She has worked for Oliver-Pyatt Centers since 2011 and is currently the Director of Admissions.
