Written by Janine Vlassakis from Cambridge Eating Disorder Center
“I think I would stop working with a client/patient with an eating disorder.”
This is a sentiment shared by many therapists, nutritionists and mental health treatment programs that do not specialize in eating disorders. The complex medical aspects of eating disorders coupled with the knowledge that eating disorders are the mental illness with the highest mortality rate can be daunting to clinicians have not had extensive training working with this psychiatric population. Individuals struggling with eating disorders require a collaborative team of treaters that understand the medical, nutritional, psychiatric, behavioral and emotional components of this mental illness.
Understanding your clinical strengths is the best way to support your clients. That being said, having a foundational knowledge of the various comorbid disorders that you may encounter with your clients and the therapeutic best practices allows you to assess whether additional resources are needed to support your client’s clinical needs. In the case of individuals struggling with eating disorders, patterns and behaviors involving disordered eating may act as a precursor to a full-blown eating disorder, so being equipped with the best information and resources is key.
At Cambridge Eating Disorder Center (CEDC), we strive to provide the clinical community with the knowledge and tools to recognize and support individuals who are struggling with eating disorders in private practice, on college campuses in general mental health programs or in other venues. While knowledge is power, it is critical to know when to reach out and ask for help. We see it as our clinical responsibility to provide the highest quality of clinical education on a variety of topics related to eating disorders because we understand that not everyone is or desires to be an expert.
While there is a niche clinical group that do specialize in eating disorders, if you work more generally with patients suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD or any of the many other comorbid conditions that occur along with an eating disorder, education and collaboration are your best tools. By reaching out to colleagues who specialize in eating disorders, organizations like MEDA or a program like CEDC, you are giving your client the best support possible when they disclose that they are using behaviors or having disordered thoughts that may indicate an eating disorder. Having a strong network of resources is key to developing a plan.
In addition, by seeking opportunities to learn more about specialized mental health conditions and therapeutic practices, you will expand your clinical capacity to provide the best support to your current clients and those who you work with in the future. Fear of the unknown can only be resolved through knowledge.
** Cambridge Eating Disorder Center (CEDC) provides clinical education locally and nationally. To arrange a training for your colleagues or staff, please contact Clinical Education Manager, Janine Vlassakis at jvlassakis@cedcmail.com
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