Introduction to Embodied Recovery for Eating Disorders IN-PERSON

Day 1

Each day of this training begins and ends with guided mindfulness practice to enhance awareness of participants own embodiment.  The first day of the training starts with a didactic explanation of benefits and limitations of current best practices for eating disorders treatment and the foundational principles of the Embodied Recovery for Eating Disorders (ERED) approach which addresses how eating disorders behaviors express dysregulation associated with attachment injury, trauma, and sensory processing disorder.  Experiential activities offer participants to build a felt sense understanding of the impact of neurological dysregulation on bottom-up support for “normative eating”.

After lunch we begin an experiential exploration of embodiment-what it means, how to increase embodiment and what interferes with it.  We discuss what it means to re-define recovery in terms of increased embodiment rather than reduction of target behaviors.

During the second half of the afternoon, we begin to learn how the body speaks through the relational language of movement using the map of the Relational Cycle of Developmental Movement patterns articulated by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen.  We explore how awareness of how we embody this cycle of movements-yield, push, reach, grasp, pull-helps us understand how “the ED voice” and eating disorders behaviors are expressing attachment injury and trauma.

We complete the first day applying the map of the Action Cycle (Clarity, Effectiveness, Satisfaction, Relaxation)  to the process of eating. This map helps illuminates the complexity of eating behaviors and provides a structure to more accurately describe and assess bottom-up foundation of eating disorder behaviors.  Weaving the Relational and Action Cycles, we build a lens that illuminates the bottom-up, body-based scaffold of attachment injury which is expressed through eating disorders behavior.

Day 2

After our morning guided mindfulness practice, day 2 of the training is devoted to didactic and experiential exploration how eating disorders behaviors express the four Barriers to Action and the benefit of including somatically trained providers in the multidisciplinary treatment team.

During the morning, we explore attachment dynamics which impede embodiment of relational movements of Push and Reach and eating disorder behaviors which express the Insight and Response Barriers to Action.  We identify body-based interventions which can uncover root causes of  disembodiment of  and build capacity for embodiment of Push and Reach which in turn provides support of “normative eating” at the Clarity and Effectiveness stages of Action.

After lunch we explore attachment dynamics which impede embodiment of relational movements of Grasp, Pull and Yield and eating disorder behaviors which express the Nourishment and Completion Barriers to Action.  We identify body-based interventions which can uncover root causes of  disembodiment of  and build capacity for embodiment of Grasp, Pull and Yield which in turn provides support of “normative eating” at the Satisfaction and Relaxation stages of Action.

Day 3

After our morning guided mindfulness practice, day 3 of the training begins with didactic and experiential exploration of the Defense Response Cycle and how eating disorders behaviors express defensive actions of Fight, Flight and Freeze.

We complete the morning learning about how the body speaks through 5-sense perception and internal sensations.  This understanding helps us hear how and when eating disorders behaviors are expressing Sensory Process Disorders and give us language to bring accurate meaning to behaviors which are motivated by sensory seeking or sensory avoiding behaviors, motor response limitations or challenges with differentiation of sensory input.

After lunch, we discuss potential additions to a treatment plan and treatment team which can help to nourish the body through sensory input and safe relationship so that the body can build capacity for the complex task of taking in nourishment from food.

We practice basic skills of tracking and making verbal contact with clients’ state of regulation and embodiment of movement and sensory orientation.  This supports providers in bringing the body into the therapeutic dialogue.

This training completes with a weaving together of all the maps explored:

Polyvagal Theory

Window of Tolerance

Relational Cycle

Defense Response Cycle

Action Cycle

Sensory Processing Disorder.

We apply this tapestry of the Embodied Recovery for Eating Disorders approach to a case study, identify take-aways which can be used in practice and discuss areas of further study.

Day 1  

9:00-10:30 Welcome

• Mindfulness practice
• Creating a safe container
• Introductions

10:30-10:45 BREAK

10:45-12:15 Embodied Recovery Model:  Expanding the Role of the Body in the Bio-psycho-social model

• Polyvagal Theory and Eating Disorders
• The Window of Tolerance and Eating Disorders
• The Impact of Attachment Injury, Trauma and Sensory Processing Disorder on Window of Tolerance and Ventral Vagal Engagement

12:15-1:45 Lunch

1:45-3:15 Embodiment

• Definition and indicators of Embodiment
• Building Embodiment with Mindfulness-expanding object of awareness
• Building Embodiment through Full Body-mind-expanding seat of awareness
• What interferes with Embodiment?

3:15-3:30 Break

3:30-4:30 The Body Speaks: The Language of Movement

• Movement as the language of relationship-
• The Relational Cycle of Developmental Movement, Yield, Push, Reach, Grasp, Pull

4:30-5:00 The Action Cycle

• The Action Cycle and Normative Eating
• The Relational Cycle and the Action Cycle- How Attachment Supports  Normative Eating
• Eating Disorders as Expressions of Barriers to Action and Attachment Injury

5:00-5:30  Questions and close

Day 2

9:00-9:45 MIndfulness Practice

9:45-10:45  Eating Disorder Behaviors expressing the Insight Barrier to Action

• Exploration of the movement patterns, attachment injuries and strategies, and incomplete development tasks associated with Insight Barrier to Effective Action
• Eating disorder behaviors as expression of the Insight Barrier to Effective Action
• Body-based interventions to reduce the Insight Barrier and associated eating disorders behaviors.

10:45-11:00  BREAK

11:00-12:00 Eating Disorder Behaviors expressing the Response Barrier

• Exploration of the movement patterns, attachment injuries and strategies, and incomplete development tasks associated with Response Barrier to Effective Action
• Eating disorder behaviors as expression of the Response Barrier to Effective Action
• Body-based interventions to reduce the Response Barrier and associated eating disorders behaviors.

12:30-2 LUNCH

2:00-3:15  Eating Disorder Behaviors expressing the Nourishment Barrier

• Exploration of the movement patterns, attachment injuries and strategies, and incomplete development tasks associated with Nourishment Barrier to Effective Action
• Eating disorder behaviors as expression of the Nourishment Barrier to Effective Action
• Body-based interventions to reduce the Nourishment Barrier and associated eating disorders behaviors.

3:15-3:30-BREAK

3:30-4:30 Eating Disorder Behaviors expressing the Completion barrier

• Exploration of the movement patterns, attachment injuries and strategies, and incomplete development tasks associated with Completion Barrier to Effective Action
• Eating disorder behaviors as expression of the Completion  Barrier to Effective Action
• Body-based interventions to reduce the Completion Barrier and associated eating disorders behaviors.

4:30-5:30  Questions and closing

Day 3

9:00-9:40 Mindfulness Practice

9:40-10:45 Eating Disorders and the Defense System

• Actions of Defense and the Defense Response Cycle
• Eating Disorders behaviors as expressions of Defensive Actions
• Body-based interventions to resource clients and increase neurological and emotional regulation
• Case Study
• Considerations for Developmental and Complex Trauma

10:45-11:00 BREAK

11:00-12:30   Sensory Processing

• Definition of Sensory Processing Disorder
• Definition of Far Senses
• Exploration of Olfaction/Smell-development, use as a resource and how processing issues impact eating behaviors. a
• Exploration of Tactility/Touch-development, use as a resource and how processing issues impact eating behaviors.
• Exploration of Audition/Hearing-development, use as a resource and how processing issues impact eating behaviors.·
• Exploration of Gustation/Taste-development, use as a resource and how processing issues impact eating behaviors.
• Exploration of Vision/Sight-development, use as a resource and how processing issues impact eating behaviors.·
• Definition of Near Senses
• Exploration of Proprioception-development, use as a resource and how processing issues impact eating behaviors.
• Exploration of Vestibular Function-development, use as a resource and how processing issues impact eating behaviors.
• Exploration of Interoception-development, use as a resource and how processing issues impact eating behaviors.
• Body Dysmorphia and Sensory Processing Disorder pairing near and far senses
• Indicators of and Interventions for Sensory Processing Disorders

12:30-1:30 LUNCH

1:30-1:50  Resourcing the Body and the Body as a Resource

• Expanding the treatment team to include body-based interventions that increase regulation

1:50-3:00 Basic Skills for Contacting the Body

• Basic Skills for Working with the Body: Observing and Tracking
• Basic Skills for Working with the Body: Making Verbal Contact

3:00-3:15 BREAK

3:15-3:40 Weaving it together  (19 minutes)

• New questions for Eating Disorders assessment
• Take Aways
• Case Studies and questions

3:30-4:00 Closing     

Day 1

• List the four principles of the Embodied Recovery Model.
• Describe the role of bottom-up processing in eating disorders treatment and recovery.
• Explain the physiological connection between attachment, trauma, sensory processing and digestion.
• Describe eating disorders behaviors through the lens of Polyvagal Theory and the Window of Tolerance.
• Explain the limitations to traditional approaches to mindfulness when working with body phobic clients.
• Demonstrate how to facilitate embodiment with the use of mindfulness of anatomy and sensation.
• Describe and demonstrate the five developmental movement patterns of the Relational Cycle which support healthy attachment.
• Explain how relational developmental tasks of safety in existence, having basic needs met, autonomy, expression of will, intimacy, and belonging are reflected in and supported by the movement patterns of the Relational Cycle.
• Define ‘normative eating’ through the four stages of the Action Cycle.
• Explain how healthy attachment supports capacity for effective action and ‘normative eating’.
• Identify Barriers to Action which impede ‘normative eating’ and present as eating disorders behaviors.

Day 2

• List two eating disordered behaviors that express each of the four Barriers to Action: Insight, Response, Nourishment, Completion.
• Explain how a single eating disordered behavior can express any single or  combination of the four Barriers to Action.
• Demonstrate one body-based interventions to increase the embodiment of each of the 5 developmental movement patterns: Yield, Push, Reach, Grasp, Pull.
• Demonstrate the postural indicators of  each of the four Barriers to Action.
• Describe the attachment injuries which contribute to the formation of each of the four Barriers to Action and associated disordered eating behaviors.

Day 3

• Explain the defense-response cycle and how trauma impacts capacity for regulation and normative eating.
• Demonstrate 2 interventions to increase physiological regulation in clients with co-occuring PTSD.
• Identify eating disorders behaviors which may be expressions of Sensory Processing Disorder.
• Demonstrate 2 skills to increase therapist’s capacity to offer corrective co-regulating experiences.
• Name and demonstrate three skills to use when making contact and working with the body.

The training is appropriate for all members of multidisciplinary eating disorders treatment teams including mental health professionals (Psychologist, Social Workers, Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Creative Art Therapists), medical providers (MD’s, Psychiatrists, Nurses), Dietitians, Occupational Therapists, treatment program staff and adjunct providers such as yoga therapist. This training is also applicable for the same professionals who work with common co-occuring disorders such as addiction, mood disorders and trauma which arise from the same mind/body/spirit constellation that gives rise to eating disorders.

There are no pre-requisites for or required reading prior to this course.  However, experience with somatic practices or body-based therapy is helpful.  For those who wish to familiarize with bottom-up approaches to therapy please go to “Resources” at the menu at the top of the page.  You will find several podcast, article and books that you may find helpful.

See the individual cohort listing for tuition fees.

CLASS FEE: Please, see specific cohort pages for information about class fee.

BIPOC/LGBTQ AND STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS : We reserve select slots in each training for reduced rate scholarships. If you would like to request a scholarship, please contact Jenn at registration@embodiedrecovery.org.

REFUND: Refund of full tuition paid minus $100 available if cancellation is made up to 6 weeks prior to start of the training. Refund of 50% of tuition paid minus $100 available if cancellation is made between 2-6 weeks prior to start of training. No refund available available if cancellation is made within 2 weeks of start of training.

18.5 Continuing Education credits are provided. For more information about CE’s, go to: https://app.ce-go.com/introduction-to-embodied-recovery-for-eating-disorders/ceinfo

There is no known commercial support or conflict of interest for this program.