2012 Schedule & Speakers

Keynote Address | 8:15-10:15 a.m.

Session sponsor: The Ranch
"Media, Culture and the Neurobiology of the Drive to be Thin"
Over the past four decades the prevalence of eating disorders has doubled, and mass media has presented increasingly thin ideals of the female body. The effects of media and culture have been shown to be associated with the development of disordered eating, eating disorders, and by extension, obesity. This presentation will look at images of body size and shape in the media and the neurobiologic effects of our use of food in pursuit of the thin ideal. We will discuss specific integrative strategies that can be used to help clients develop an understanding of the root causes of their behavior, discuss ways to support and enhance brain reward circuitry, identify the individual patterns that can trigger relapse and learn how to best promote the changes clients need to reduce relapse risk.

Carolyn Coker Ross, MD, MPH
Supervising Physician, The Ranch (Nunnelly, TN)

Dr. Carolyn Coker Ross is a nationally known author and speaker who has pioneered the use of integrative medicine to treat eating disorders, obesity and addictions. As supervising physician for The Ranch, near Nashville, Tenn., she provides consultation for its dual diagnosis residential eating disorder program. Dr. Ross is the author of The Binge Eating and Compulsive Overeating Workbook and has developed a course for weight management entitled The Anchor Weight Management System™. She has recently released a 2-disc audio program co-authored by Dr. Andrew Weil entitled The Joy of Eating Well. Dr. Ross has a private practice in Denver, Colo.

Breakout Sessions

Please Note: Two presentations are offered in each breakout session. Attendees will pre-select their choices during online registration.

Breakout Sessions 1A/1B | 10:30 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.

SESSION 1A
Session sponsor: Castlewood Treatment Center for Eating Disorders
“Stages of ED Recovery Following Inpatient Stabilization”
Often, after stabilization in an inpatient program, clients may expect to be “recovered,” however, control of symptoms does not equal recovery. The trajectory of recovery needs to be mapped for the client to guide them on what to do and not do in order to achieve long-term recovery. Skill deficits are requisite, since many clients are flooded with anxiety when they are not using their eating disorder for affect regulation and as a bridge to relationships. Special issues such as Body Dysmorphia, Social Anxiety Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder require continued attention. This workshop will address specific plans and goals for clients through their first year of recovery.

Mark Schwartz, ScD
Clinical Co-Director, Castlewood Treatment Center for Eating Disorders (St. Louis, MO)

Dr. Mark Schwartz earned his doctorate in Psychology and Mental Health from Johns Hopkins University and is a licensed psychologist. Over the past 30 years, Dr. Schwartz has achieved international recognition for his contributions in a variety of clinical arenas, including the treatment of intimacy disorders, marital and sexual dysfunction, sexual compulsivity, sexual trauma and eating disorders. He lectures nationally and internationally on these topics and has authored numerous articles and book chapters, as well as the books, Sexual Abuse and Eating Disorders and Sexual Compulsive Behavior, and Sex and Gender. Dr. Schwartz is currently on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Eating Disorders.

Theresa Chesnut, LCSW
Primary Therapist, Castlewood Treatment Center (St. Louis, MO)

Theresa Chesnut initially earned her undergraduate degree in Family Life and Community Services from Kansas State University. She later completed her graduate degree in Clinical Social Work at the University of Kansas. Theresa has been on staff at Castlewood since 2000 and has held various positions, including Primary Therapist, Program Director and Marketing Director. Theresa has also been on staff for the Menninger Clinic. She has more than 20 years' experience in lecturing on college campuses and to psychiatric professionals about the signs, symptoms and prevention of eating disorders. Currently, Theresa serves on the board for the Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA).

 

SESSION 1B
Session sponsor: Magnolia Creek Treatment Center for Eating Disorders
“Weathering the Storm: Conceptualization and Treatment of Bullying, Eating Disorders, and Suicide”
Individuals with eating disorders (EDs) frequently report histories of bullying, and some research has suggested that bullying may actually be a contributing factor to the development of EDs. Bullying has also been identified as a possible risk factor for suicide, especially in adolescents. This workshop will review research on suicidality in EDs, including risk factors related to bullying. This didactic/experiential presentation will include a journey into the suicidal mind as it pertains to clients with eating disorders and will provide attendees with a toolbox of interventions, including video clips from therapy sessions specific to EDs, bullying, and suicide.

Nicole Siegfried, PhD, CEDS
Founder and Director, Magnolia Creek Treatment Center for Eating Disorders (Columbiana, AL)

Dr. Nicole Siegfried is a licensed clinical psychologist and is co-Founder and Clinical Director of Magnolia Creek Treatment Center for Eating Disorders. She served as an Associate Professor of Psychology at Samford University from 2001-2008 and is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is currently an investigator on a research study with Dr. Thomas Joiner investigating risk factors for suicidality in eating disorders. She is a member of the Academy for Eating Disorders (AED) and Co-Chair of the Suicide AED Special Interest Group. She is also a member of the Residential Eating Disorder Coalition (RED-C) and chair of the RED-C Research Committee.


Mary Bartlett, PhD, LPC-CS, NCC, CFLE
Suicide Prevention and Risk Consultant, Magnolia Creek Treatment Center for Eating Disorders (Columbiana, AL)

Dr. Mary Bartlett serves as the Suicide Prevention and Risk Consultant at Magnolia Creek Treatment Center for Eating Disorders. She speaks internationally and is an authorized trainer for the Suicide Prevention Resource Center and the American Association of Suicidology. She serves on the Air Force Resiliency Working Group, the Army National Guard Suicide and Resiliency Team, and serves Air National Guard leadership on suicide. Dr. Bartlett is also an investigator on a current research study with Dr. Thomas Joiner investigating risk factors for suicidality in eating disorders and is an ad hoc faculty member at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Breakout Sessions 2A/2B | 1:10–2:50 p.m.

SESSION 2A
Session sponsor: Eating Recovery Center
“Treating Eating Disorders with Acceptance- and Values-Based Approaches”
This presentation will discuss recurrent characteristic traits of eating disorder patients and how to use newer strategies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to target all major maintaining factors of the eating disorder. With recovery as the goal, the presentation identifies the core processes of ACT and highlights the use of values to define a rich and meaningful life. This discussion of acceptance- and values-based approaches offers practical techniques for application in the treatment of eating disorders.

Emmett R. Bishop Jr., MD, FAED, CEDS

Medical Director of Adult Services, Eating Recovery Center (Denver, CO)

 

Dr. Emmett Bishop, Jr., is the Medical Director of Adult Services at Eating Recovery Center in Denver, Colo. He has more than 30 years' experience in the treatment of eating disorders, and has written and lectured nationally and internationally on eating disorders and their treatment. He has served on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals since 1993 and is a past President. He is a Fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders and is on the Editorial Board of Eating Disorders: Journal of Treatment and Prevention.

 
 SESSION 2B

Session sponsor: Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center

“When Eating Disorders and Substance Abuse Collide”

This presentation will examine the demographics of eating disorders (EDs) and substance use disorders (SUDs), as well as the co-occurring demographics of both. It will review the current research on the possible etiology of eating disorders and examine common psychological characteristics of individuals with EDs and examine their relationship to SUDs. Appropriate treatment methodologies utilizing the recovery and 12-step models will be presented.

Kim Dennis, MD
Medical Director, Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center (Lemont, IL)

Dr. Kim Dennis is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in treating addictions, eating disorders and co-occurring disorders. As Medical Director at Timberline Knolls, she maintains a holistic perspective in the practice of psychiatry, incorporating biological, psycho-social and spiritual approaches. Dr. Dennis obtained her medical degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and completed her psychiatry residency training at the University of Chicago Hospitals, where she served as chief resident. She is a member of the American Medical Association, Academy for Eating Disorders, American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, American Society for Addiction Medicine and International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals.

Breakout Sessions 3A/3B | 3:05–4:45 p.m.

SESSION 3A
Session sponsor: Veritas Collaborative
“How to Manage Power Struggles with Food in Family Systems”
This workshop will illuminate metaphors that food struggles represent in the family system. Dealing with eating disorders represents significant stress often leading to conflict between parents. The importance of cohesive communication is revealed through a collaborative and integrative model of treatment. This approach helps redefine family culture around food and significantly reduce power struggles that are the hallmark of eating disorders.

Page Love, MS, RD, LD

Registered Dietitian/Nutrition Therapist, Atlanta Center for Eating Disorders

Page Love is a registered dietitian and nutrition therapist. She runs a thriving private practice specializing in eating disorders, sports nutrition, and nutrition counseling for weight management in Atlanta. She serves as a clinical dietitian for Atlanta Center for Eating Disorders, has run National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) support groups in Atlanta for 15 years, and has served as a consultant to The Renfrew Center. She has developed materials for the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) and is on the board for the Eating Disorders Information Network (EDIN).

 

Meg McLeroy, MFT

Therapist/Partner, Midtown Psychotherapy Associates (Atlanta, GA)

Meg McLeroy is a licensed clinical Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in the treatment of families, couples and individuals with eating disorders. She has been a partner at Midtown Psychotherapy Associates since 2009 and a member of the treatment team at Atlanta Center for Eating Disorders since 2004. Meg has served the Georgia Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (GAMFT) since 2004 in several board positions including Student Associate Representative, Public Relations Chair and Vice President.

 

SESSION 3B
Session sponsor: Pine Grove's Women's Center

“Dual Diagnosis or Cross-Addiction: Treating the Addicted Eating Disorder Patient”

The debate about whether eating disorders should be conceptualized and treated as addictive disorders or psychological phenomena has been argued since eating disorders were introduced to the DSM in 1980. Current neurobiological research in the addiction field suggests a relationship between eating disorders and substance abuse in both the reward and serotonin systems. The evidence of common pathways has become particularly salient for women who struggle with both an eating disorder (ED) and a substance use disorder (SUD). The goals of this workshop are to 1) present current neurological, biological and clinical research that addresses the similarities and differences between eating disorders and substance use, 2) discuss the idea that women with concurrent ED/SUD are a distinct clinical subgroup, and 3) conceptualize a model of integrated treatment for ED and SUD that targets the unique clinical needs of this complex and challenging patient. 
 

Cathy S. Reto, RN, PhD

Director, Pine Grove's Women's Center (Hattiesburg, MS)

Dr. Reto is a clinical psychologist and registered nurse specializing in eating disorders and chemical dependence. She began her training in eating disorders in 1983 while attending the University of Washington and went on to receive her Ph.D. from the California School of Professional Psychology – San Diego in 1997. She has worked clinically in the field of eating disorders and trauma since 1994 and specifically with co-occurring eating disorders and substance abuse since 2007. As the current Director of Pine Grove’s Women’s Center, she is launching a major research project investigating the links between eating disorders and substance abuse.