Background: With Family Based Treatment gaining momentum in the eating disorder treatment field, there is an increased focus on partnering with caregivers. The opportunity to include family members in treatment can be incredibly helpful and rewarding, however also presents clinicians with new challenges. This workshop, led by a therapist, a medical doctor and a registered dietitian will review the most recent research regarding strategies for working with caregivers followed by three in-depth case studies in which obstacles and successes will be highlighted. Cases will cover various presentations including divorced parents, neglect, caregivers with eating disorders and cultural diversity.
Objectives: Following this presentation, participants will be able to: Identify at least three methods for intervening with caregivers. Explain the benefits of joining with family members in treatment. Explore opportunities for improving outcomes with challenging family dynamics using an interdisciplinary team and FBT informed approach.
Allison Hall is the Founding President and current Immediate Past President of iaedp, RI. Ms. Hall is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker through the state of Rhode Island and a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist through iaedp. She is currently employed with The Eating Disorder Program at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, RI, where she has served as the lead Clinical Social Worker since 2004. Ms. Hall earned her BS at Stonehill College and was awarded her MSW at the University of California, Berkeley. She has presented nationally and published numerous articles on various topics including eating disorders in the college population, eating disorders in gender nonconforming youth and the use of yoga in treatment. Ms. Hall has served as a mentor for high school students, a supervisor for BSW and MSW interns and as a guest lecturer for multiple local colleges and universities.
Abigail Donaldson, MD is the Medical Director of the Eating Disorders Program at Hasbro Children’s Hospital/Brown University School of Medicine and board certified in Adolescent Medicine. She has cared for numerous adolescents and young adults with eating disorders in the inpatient and outpatient settings. She has instructed trainees and lectures regularly on the care of eating disordered patients regionally, and has published on the care of eating disordered patients. She has actively collaborated with college health providers across the country to successfully transition eating disordered patients into/out of the college setting.
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Shannon Simones, RD, LDN
Shannon Simones is a clinical dietitian at Hasbro Children’s Hospital specializing in the outpatient treatment of eating disorders. Shannon received her B.S. in Dietetics from Idaho State University. She has co-presented at the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine 2016 Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and a new member of iaedp, RI Chapter. In addition to her pediatric nutrition skills, Shannon is an accomplished first mate and chef, and has designed meal plans for passengers with allergies and specialized nutrition needs on yacht excursions.
