0614 - Looking Beneath Food and the Body: Integrative Approaches for Working with Eating Disorders
Course Description
Hours: 12
This experiential workshop invites helping professionals to examine the intersection of women’s mental health, eating disorders and body image challenges through a trauma-informed and non-pathologizing lens. Together, we’ll explore how eating disorders emerge not solely from difficulties with food or appearance, but as protective responses to emotional pain, unmet needs or oppressive sociocultural expectations.
Participants will learn how to work with common internal processes that arise in eating disorders, such as resistance, perfectionism and shame. Drawing from therapeutic modalities such as Internal Family Systems (IFS), ACT, mindfulness, and CBT/DBT, this workshop offers helping professionals practical strategies to support women in developing more compassionate relationship with food and their body.
We’ll explore how language, power dynamics and cultural messaging impact both the development of eating disorders and the recovery process. Through case examples, reflective discussion and clinical teaching, participants will leave with tools for treatment planning and intervention that are responsive, inclusive and empowering.
Learning Objectives
- Guide clients from self-criticism and confusion to clarity, confidence and connection.
- Identify the origins of unrelenting standards and the role of control in disordered eating/body image challenges.
- Apply trauma-informed, practical tools when supporting women with eating and body image concerns.
- Recognize when eating disorders may be present and develop intentional, responsive care plans.
Notes
Time Zone: All listed class times are held in ET (Ontario, Canada)
For more information contact the Faculty of Social Work Professional Development office:
Email: fswprofessionaldevelopment@wlu.ca
Phone: 548-889-5128
Cancellations and Transfers
Be sure to carefully review our cancellation and transfer information before registering.
Website: wlu.ca/fswpd
Applies Towards the Following Certificates
- Women's Mental Health Certificate : Women's Mental Health