Background: Negative body image is an elusive target in eating disorder treatment. This workshop provides a comprehensive, phase-based approach from Body Tolerance through Body Acceptance and ultimately to Body Compassion. Attendees will leave with practical tools and creative interventions to address negative body image in severe and complex eating disorders.
Objectives: * the role of body image in eating disorders * the research on the impact of body image on relapse and recovery * interventions for treating body image in complex eating disorders
I. Role of Body Image (BI) in Eating Disorders (EDs)
A. BI in ED Etiology
1. Negative BI is a primary activator of ED pathology.
B. BI in ED Recovery
1. Negative BI is one of the last ED symptoms to remit and is a predictor of relapse.
2. Individuals who achieve a full and enduring recovery may need to have a more positive BI than the general population.
II. Evidence-based Interventions for BI and Their Limitations
A. The majority of BI interventions are developed for non-clinical samples and focus on benign aspects of BI.
B. CBT-E has been adapted to inpatient and day-patient settings. This protocol has not been evaluated in a randomized controlled trial utilizing a control group. Furthermore, CBT-E does not integrate sensory and nonverbal aspects of BI.
C. Experiential approaches to BI provide a comprehensive approach to the intricate nature of BI symptomology. However, the effectiveness of these approaches has not been evaluated in well-designed research studies.
III. Body Embrace
A. Assessment of BI
1. BI assessments are utilized to develop an understanding specific BI symptoms and their role in the ED.
a. EDE-Q Shape Concern Scale
b. EDI-3 Body Dissatisfaction Scale
2. Measures are administered at throughout treatment to evaluate progress.
B. Body Tolerance:
1. Definition: Enduring BI distress and dissatisfaction without acting on ED behaviors.
2. Techniques include:
a. Distraction and Self-Soothing Techniques
b. Exposure and Response Prevention for Body Checking and Body Avoidance
c. Mirror Work with a Nonjudgmental Body Scan
d. Progressive Body Scan Imagery
C. Body Acceptance:
1. Definition: Interacting with body in the moment, welcoming emotional experience, and approaching body with curiosity and without judgment.
2. Techniques include:
a. Mindfulness skills
b. Mirror Work with a Cognitive Dissonance Body Scan
c. Cognitive-Defusion skills
d. Felt-Sense Somatic Experiencing Exercise
e. Body Movement Exercises
f. Body Integration Psychodrama
D. Body Compassion:
1. Definition: love, compassion and appreciation for the body.
2. Techniques include
a. Self-Compassion Meditations for BI
b. Body Gratitude Imagery
c. Mirror Work with an Appreciation Body Scan
IV. Conclusion and Question/Answer
Dr. Nicole Siegfried is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and Supervisor. She is a Clinical Director with Castlewood Treatment Centers and their National Director of Eating Disorder Program Development. She previously served as an Associate Professor of Psychology at Samford University and is currently an Adjunct Associate Professor at University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is the founding president of the Alabama iaedp Regional Chapter. She is co-developer of the Body Embrace Program.
Amber is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist, and Certified Eating Disorders Specialist. Amber has worked with eating disorders at all levels of care, and currently has a thriving outpatient practice in addition to her work as primary therapist at Castlewood Treatment Centers. Amber has specialized training and experience in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Prolonged Exposure. Amber is co-developer of the Body Embrace Program and is committed to helping clients rediscover their sense of self and reconnect with their values and purpose to drive them toward recovery.
