Background: Despite advances in the treatment of patients with eating disorders, there still remains a significant group of individuals for whom recovery seems to be inaccessible. Who are these patients and why is meaningful recovery so difficult for them to attain? This workshop addresses the therapeutic struggles inherent in working with the enduring eating disorder patient who presents with a trauma history. A structured modular approach useful for integrating treatment of both the eating disorder symptoms as well as the trauma responses is described.
Objectives: 1. Participants will be able to provide a practical definition of the enduring eating disorder client.
2. Participants will be able to state three ways history of trauma interacts with the eating disorder to reinforce enduring symptoms in eating disorder clients.
3. Participants will be able to identify three practice elements useful for working with the enduring eating disorder client with a trauma history.
Enduring: the complexities of Relapse, Lapse and Recovery in the ED Field Today
- Introduction
- Who is the “enduring” eating disorder patient
- How does trauma contribute to enduring
- What new perspectives can we adopt that might help us to more effectively assist these clients
- Definitions:
- Enduring
- Lapse, relapse, recovery
- Evidence-based Rapport and victimization
- Characteristics of self-regulation
- Effective relationship in process
- Alliance: bonds, tasks, goals, covenant - characteristics and impacts
- Empowerment in action
- The Interface of Traumatic Experiences – what is integrated treatment anyway?
- Modular Approach to Treatment – Self-Regulation
- Keys to success
- Practice points, Case presentations, and Discussion
Some current proposed explanations for the chronic eating disorder patients’ lack of progress may be, in part, due to extensive histories of trauma and abuse which are often addressed tangentially or sequentially to the eating disorder. In other instances, some contributory variables may have to do with the organization of the therapeutic relationship itself within the treatment milieu. The evidence suggests that an enhanced or limited experience of empowerment maybe specifically linked to the organization of the therapeutic rapport. Clearly, approaches that are designed to integrate treatment of both the eating disorder and the impact of trauma might prove to be effectual.
This workshop addresses therapeutic struggles inherent in working with the enduring eating disorder patient who presents with a trauma history and disordered eating symptoms that have not responded to previous treatment(s) or various levels of intervention. These patients, and their related issues, are clearly described. Beginning with a review and discussion of what “enduring” actually refers to, the elements and obstacles to achieving integration of both eating disorder treatment and trauma treatment are explored; along with suggestions as to how to enhance integration. This is all presented in the context of a therapeutic rapport that can either promote self-regulation or result in repeated dependency and inadvertent “revictimization.” A structured modular approach useful for integrating treatment and for promoting self-regulation is presented.
Dr. Levitt has more than 40 years working with clients who present with eating disorders, trauma-related problem, and complex patients. He has been an active participant in the field of eating disorders as a clinician, program developer, supervisor/trainer, and presenter. Dr. Levitt has been Clinical Director of more than five treatment programs. He has worked in hospital-based programs, private practice, taught workshops nationally and internationally, published and presented on the topics of eating disorders, trauma, self-injury, complex symptomology, and differential assessment and intervention. He has co-wrote or co-edited four books on these topics and has over eighty articles and publications. Dr. Levitt currently maintains a private practice in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, trauma, self-harm and individual, couple and family therapy.
