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Applying ACT to Treatment of Eating Disorders and Trauma

Course Description:

Eating disorder treatment traditionally employs a broad, onesizefitsall treatment approach. Through continued research and development within the field, conceptualization of the “typical” eating disorder client has shifted, increasing in sophistication.Working with clients struggling with eating disorders demands a comprehensive understanding of the multidimensional needs of each individual. This presentation serves to provide a general understanding of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for people struggling with dual diagnoses, cooccurring medical conditions, and atypical nutritional needs.

Learning Objectives

  1. Create effective, in depth treatment planning for clients with eating disorders and cooccurring trauma
  2. Analyze and discuss the role of the dietitian working collaboratively with the treatment team to provide exposure opportunities to fear foods/foods linked to eating disorder and trauma
  3. Explain the interdisciplinary approach to treatment of eating disorders with in specialized populations using the ACT model
  4. Illustrate medical complications unique to cancer, pregnancy and severe food allergies and how they are treated within the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy framework form a multidisciplinary team.

Amanda Wasserman, LMHC

Amanda has many years of experience working in the eating disorder community; focusing on providing evidenced based therapeutic services. She has extensive experience working with adolescent and adult clients with eating disorders and other emotional disorders. As a licensed mental health counselor, Amanda currently serves as the Clinical Director at Tapestry. Amanda is passionate about educating and empowering clients and their loved ones in the treatment and recovery process. Her integrative therapy approach spans psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and familybased treatment modalities.

Casey Kelly, LPC-A LCAS-A

Casey has been involved with the mental health community in multiple facets since 2008. Beginning in the world of psychological research, Casey contributed to multiple publications and enjoyed helping in the quest to further psychological research. However, Casey discovered his true passion was in direct clinical care. In 2015, Casey began direct care work with adolescents with severe behavioral issues, and quickly learned he enjoyed working with mood, anxiety, trauma, and substance use disorders.

Casey went back to college and graduated with a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2018. Casey uses a multi-theory approach including acceptance and commitment, dialectical behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing to work with a myriad of different issues. Casey has devoted himself to making certain his treatment approach is catered to each client’s cultural, sexual, gender, and spiritual identity.

In his spare time, Casey likes cooking, gaming, anime, disc golf, and above all, travelling. If Casey had his way, he would travel for at least a month a year. Casey’s biggest wish is to travel to every country in his lifetime.