Clinical Strategies for Treating Adolescent Eating Disorders

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Target Audience: Psychologists
Instructional Level: Introductory

CE Course Description

This continuing education course is designed for licensed psychologists seeking an advanced understanding of eating disorders. The course provides a thorough exploration of the diagnostic criteria, clinical features, and subtypes of eating disorders, including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge-Eating Disorder, Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), and Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED), as outlined in the DSM-5-TR (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). Special attention is given to distinguishing between diagnosable eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors that may fall below diagnostic thresholds but still require clinical intervention. The course examines the multifactorial etiology of eating disorders, including biological, psychological, and sociocultural influences, with a particular focus on trauma histories, emotional dysregulation, and perfectionistic tendencies. Participants will also explore comorbid mental health conditions—such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—and the implications for diagnosis and integrated treatment planning. Evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions will be reviewed, with in-depth coverage of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Family-Based Therapy (FBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Clinical considerations, including assessment tools, multidisciplinary collaboration, and professional roles, will be addressed. Finally, the course explores critical medical and ethical issues, such as recognizing medical instability, criteria for higher levels of care, managing involuntary treatment, and fostering stigma-free clinical environments.

Courseware Supervisor: Ryan C. Warner, Ph.D., CRC

Author: Jay Trambadia, Psy.D.

CE Course Objectives

1. Identify the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge-Eating Disorder, ARFID, and OSFED.
2. Analyze the interplay of trauma, genetics, neurobiology, and sociocultural factors in the development and maintenance of eating disorders.
3. Explain key psychological contributors to eating pathology, including perfectionism, emotional dysregulation, and control-related behaviors.
4. Assess comorbid mental health conditions and formulate differential diagnoses to inform evidence-based treatment planning.
5. Recognize red flags for medical instability and identify appropriate referral points for higher levels of care.
6. Apply evidence-based psychological interventions, including CBT-E, DBT, FBT, and ACT, in individual, family, and group therapy contexts.

Activity Schedule/Outline - Ongoing/Self-Paced:

Module 1: Comprehensive Overview of Eating Disorders – 5 minutes
Module 2: Diagnostic Criteria and Symptomatology of Eating Disorders (DSM-5-TR) – 7 minutes
Module 3: Differentiating Between Primary Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating Behaviors – 7 minutes
Module 4: Risk Factors and Etiology of Eating Disorders – 7 minutes
Module 5: Psychological Factors and Comorbid Mental Health Conditions in Eating Disorders – 7 minutes
Module 6: The Intersection of Eating Disorders – 5 minutes
Module 7: Considerations for Differential Diagnosis and Treatment Planning; Evidence-Based Psychological Interventions – 10 minutes
Module 8: Application of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E) in Individual and Group Therapy – 10 minutes
Module 9: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Emotion Regulation and Impulse Control in Adolescent Eating Disorder Patients – 8 minutes
Module 10: Family-Based Therapy (FBT) for Adolescent Clients and the Role of Caregivers in Treatment – 8 minutes
Module 11: Integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Other Therapies in Eating Disorder Treatment – 7 minutes
Module 12: Psychological Assessment Tools for Eating Disorders – 5 minutes
Module 13: The Role of Clinical Psychologists in Multidisciplinary Settings – 5 minutes
Module 14: Recognizing Red Flags for Medical Instability and When to Refer for Higher Levels of Care – 6 minutes
Module 15: Navigating the Ethical Challenges of Treating Eating Disorders – 6 minutes
Module 16: Addressing Personal Biases and Stigma in Clinical Practice to Foster a Supportive Therapeutic Environment – 5 minutes
Module 17: Cultural and Individual Diversity in Eating Disorder Treatment – 5 minutes
Module 18: Future Directions in Eating Disorder Treatment – 4 minutes
References – 4 minutes

Course Date: 2025-08-14

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