Background: Eating disorders are known for being difficult to treat; recovery can be long and exhausting, resulting in frustration and a high level of dropout and burnout. Carolyn discusses what ignites, fuels and sustains motivation and passion, for both client and clinician, even after many years. Crazy about her work, she shares critical philosophical concepts, treatment techniques and insights on resistance, collaboration and the therapeutic relationship, that instill enthusiasm, increase satisfaction and enhance success for both patient and provider throughout the years and the recovery process. Audience members get hands on tools and a re-charge for continuing their eating disorder career.
Objectives: 1.Following this presentation participants will be able to identify , utilize and explain one suggestion for reducing burnout.
2.Following this presentation participants will be able to identify, utilize and explain one way to enhance the therapeutic relationship
3.Following this presentation participants will be able to identify , utilize and explain one metaphor or analogy to use with clients.
Carolyn will begin by providing a brief description of her history in the field, offering brief previews demonstrating how and why she is still passionate about working with the eating disorder population and how she instills this in her clients.
She will ask the audience to describe, and contribute herself, common scenarios that lead to burnout among patients and treatment providers and then delineate how to deal with situations in order to stay motivated and passionate.
The major portion of the presentation involves Carolyn describing how passion is not maintained automatically nor is it enough to lead to treatment success, but involves knowledge and skill. She will delineate for the audience how sustained passion, love for the work, motivation and success are all related to understanding information and utilizing techniques and strategies related to the following categories:
1.Philosophical paradigm
principles that promote passion and compassion
2.Beliefs about healing
how one’s beliefs affect success, longevity and burnout
- The therapeutic relationship
the importance of presence and collaboration
- Use of metaphor and analogy
how these make imparting information easier
- Use of humor
how humor breaks through resistance
The presentation will be lively and fun, allowing for audience participation and time for questions and answers.
According to Steve Jobs, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” Yet, treating people with eating disordersis known to be lengthy, difficult and trying, with the possibility of dangerous medical consequences and relapse. Frustration, anguish and a high level of burnout occur in treatment providers as well as in patients. So what are the ingredients that keep someone still passionately crazy about working in this field after many years? Ands what motivates patients to continue on an arduous recovery journey.
Benjamin Franklin had important insight with his statement, “ If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins, ” becausea passionate desire to help or to get better is not enough, nor is a good understanding of eating disorder etiology or dynamics. What is needed is a reasoned, well thought out philosophical stance and strategies to go with it that instill, channel and guide motivation and desire to a successful outcome.
Bringing her own passion to this presentation, Carolyn Costin, enhances this year’s conference theme as she presents a reasoned, detailed explanation of how she has achieved and maintained a high level of positive energy and enthusiasm in herself and her eating disorders patients throughout her long and varied career in the field.
With humor, spunk, and detailed examples, Carolyn, well known in the field for four decades, will share philosophical concepts, treatment techniques, ideas for dealing with resistance, and insights on collaboration and the therapeutic relationship, that all contribute to sustained empathy, excitement and passion for both clinician and client throughout the years and the recovery process. Audience members will be given hands on tools and a re-charge for continuing their eating disorder career.
Carolyn Costin, MA, MEd, MFT, FAED, CEDS recovered from anorexia in her twenties, became a therapist and saw her first eating disorder client in 1979. Carolyn, a pioneer in the field, is renowned for her clinical acumen, her 6 books, her speaking engagements, and the residential treatment program she founded, Monte Nido & Affiliates. After leaving Monte Nido, Carolyn opened The Carolyn Costin Institute, where she offers continuing education for clinicians and certification for eating disorder coaches. Carolyn’s books, presentations, and consultations continue to help sufferers, loved ones, professionals, and the public understand, treat, and overcome these confusing, complicated illnesses.
