Eating Disorders

Course Lessons

• EDIS 101: Introduction to Eating Disorders: Risk Factors, Etiology and Assessment

  Research estimates that up to 24 million people suffer from eating disorders, which have the highest mortality rates among psychiatric diagnoses. This session describes the four categories of eating disorders and the risk factors associated with each. The impact on family dynamics, depression, cultural pressures, and abuse is also addressed.

• EDIS 102: Medical Implications and Health Risks of Anorexia and Bulimia

  The medical risks and complications of anorexia and bulimia are numerous. Not only can these disorders end in mortality, but individuals can also experience reproductive and gastrointestinal problems, brain abnormalities, kidney damage, weakened muscles, and other physical impairments. Effective interventions and methods of treatment are discussed.

• EDIS 103: Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescents

  Most eating disorders will first appear in childhood or adolescence. In order to provide effective treatment, it is imperative for counselors to understand the unique challenges that minors experience. This session explains the key components to effective treatment and strategies for the prevention of eating disorders in children and adolescents.

• EDIS 104: Eating Disorders in Young Adult and Adult Women

  Every stage of life comes with an array of challenges regarding body image, self-esteem, and relationships. Young adults are particularly vulnerable to eating disorders due to the many transitions that occur at this stage of life. This session explores the vulnerabilities of young and adult women and provides recommendations for addressing them.

• EDIS 105: Eating Disorders in Males and Mid-Life Females

  Traditionally, eating disorders have been considered a problem among younger females.  However, as eating disorders continue to permeate the culture, males and older females are finding themselves struggling with many of the same issues and these disparate populations present their own challenges. Statistics and unique treatment features are addressed.

• EDIS 106: Eating Disorders and Comorbid Disorders

  Eating disorders often coexist with other psychiatric disorders. In order to develop a complete treatment plan, counselors must be able to recognize which comorbid disorders are the most common and the symptoms of each condition. This session reviews how to recognize comorbid disorders and how they affect treatment dynamics.

• EDIS 107: Spiritual Foundations for Healing and Recovery: Our Identity in Christ

  Eating disorders affect the whole person—body, soul, and spirit. To bring healing and a healthy life balance to those struggling, counselors must address each of these areas. This session discusses the importance of the tripartite nature of man and how this nature relates to the Triune God in order to promote wholeness in clients.

• EDIS 108: Effective Models of Treatment

  Eating disorder treatment is usually provided by a multidisciplinary team, and research shows that individual, group, family, and adjunctive therapies are effective in managing these disorders. This session covers treatment options, therapeutic strategies, and interventions that have proven to be the most effective with this population.

• EDIS 109: Eating Disorders and Whole Person Care

  Eating disorders are a complex amalgamation of various factors and should be viewed from a multi-causal perspective, with emotional, relational, physical and spiritual factors involved in both the genesis of the disorder and the path to recovery. An integrated, multi-disciplinary approach is presented, with strategies for long-term recovery, the role of spirituality and nutrition.

• EDIS 110: Couples/Family Therapy and Therapy Groups

  An individual is comprised of experiences and the influence of many environments throughout his/her life. Family and couple systems have a direct impact on the development and maintenance of an eating disorder. This session identifies the ways that these systems influence clients and explains the effectiveness of couple, family, and group therapies.

• EDIS 111: Levels of Care: Assessment and Treatment Options

  Eating disorders are complex and multi-dimensional. In order to provide effective treatment, counselors must pay careful attention to clients’ ability to function across several domains. This session focuses on the efficacy of impatient, residential, and outpatient treatment options available to those with an eating disorder.

• EDIS 112: Long-Term Recovery and Relapse Prevention

  Just as there are a multitude of factors that influence the creation and maintenance of an eating disorder, there are also a multitude of factors that influence long-term recovery and relapse prevention.  This session addresses the key components of long-term recovery, effective strategies for relapse prevention and the impact of negative clinician reactions.

• EDIS 113: The Obesity Epidemic: Compulsive Overeating and Food Addiction

  Research shows that approximately 34% of the United States population is obese. Physiological, emotional, relational and spiritual dynamics are frequently involved in compulsive overeating and food addiction. This session provides a comprehensive understanding on the etiology and assessment of these disorders.

• EDIS 114: Effective Treatment of Compulsive Overeating and Food Addiction

  Emotional eating, family of origin issues, unresolved trauma and unhealthy thinking patterns can all contribute to compulsive overeating and food addiction. This session describes assessment protocols, effective treatment planning, and practical tools for addressing the common challenges faced by those who compulsively overeat.

• EDIS 115: Integrating a Christian Perspective in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Eating Disorders and Food Issues

  Part of the problem for many who struggle with an eating disorder is not recognizing spiritual hunger and mistaking and substituting this human need for other things. This session discusses the spiritual issues that need to be addressed with clients, and how the role faith and biblical strategies that can be applied to eating disorder treatment.