EDReferral.com Newsletter - August, 2004: 

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Research

Professional Trainings/Conferences/Seminars/Workshops/Retreats

Eating Disorder Professionals Needed

Online, Interactive Program for Bulimia

Treatment Center News

Support Groups

Books

Marketing Tips

Newsletter Protocol

Instructions on how to unsubscribe to the newsletter

Want something included in the newsletter? –see the protocol listed at the end of this newsletter.

Introduction: EDReferral.com has become well known for its dedication to the treatment and prevention of eating disorders. We have developed a reputation as the leading resource for those seeking referrals to eating disorders specialists. This month's newsletter contains information on upcoming retreats, workshops, trainings, lectures, outreach, conferences, books, online support, treatment center news, support groups and more!

Research:

Childhood Abuse and Risk of Eating Disorders in Women. Rayworth, BB, Wise, LA, Harlow, BL. Background: Eating disorders are one of the most common psychiatric disorders among women. Little is known about underlying causes. Methods: To assess the association between childhood violence victimization and eating disorders, we performed a case-control study of women participating in the Harvard Study of Moods and Cycles, a population-based sample of women 36 to 44 years of age. Cases were women who met the diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge-eating disorder after a structured clinical interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV). A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess a history of abuse as a child. Results: Compared with women who reported no abuse, women who reported childhood physical abuse had twice the odds of suffering from subclinical eating disorder symptoms or meeting DSM-IV criteria for an eating disorder. Women who reported both physical and sexual abuse during childhood had 3 times the odds of developing eating disorder symptoms and nearly 4 times the odds of meeting DSM-IV criteria for an eating disorder. These associations persisted within the subgroup of women with no depression antecedent to first onset of an eating disorder. Conclusions: The present study provides additional evidence of an association between preadolescent trauma and psychiatric morbidity.  Epidemiology. 2004 May;15(3):262-3.

A trial of a relapse prevention strategy in women with bulimia nervosa who respond to cognitive-behavior therapy. Mitchell JE, Agras WS, Wilson GT, Halmi K, Kraemer H, Crow S.  Discussion: Simply telling patients with BN who appear to have been successfully treated to come back if they have additional problems, or fear that they are developing such problems, may be an ineffective relapse prevention technique. Alternative strategies, such as planned return visits or phone calls, should be considered as alternative relapse prevention strategies. Read this study in the International Journal of Eating Disorders 35: 549-555, 2004

MALES AND EATING DISORDERS: Try this link to stay current with the latest research into men with eating disorders: Assessing and treating men with eating disorders - (Psychiatr Times)

Research in Progress:

National Institute of Mental Health - International study seeks to determine whether a gene(s) might predispose individuals to develop anorexia nervosa. Investigators need families with at least two members who have or had anorexia nervosa and who would be willing to participate. The study involves the completion of interviews, questionnaires and a blood draw. For additional information call 1-888-895-3886, email EdResearch@msx.upmc.edu or visit http://www.angenetics.org.

Physician/Patient Interaction Research: The CEDRIC Centre, an eating disorder centre in Victoria, BC Canada, is working on a study about the relationships between people with eating disorders and their physicians and how doctor patient interactions impact their eating disorder. To participate or learn more about this study please visit www.cedriccentre.com.

Conferences/Professional Trainings:

Hawaii - Retreat and Professional Training, September 18-23, 2004 at the Kalani Oceanside Retreat (on the big island of Hawaii):  Join Anita Johnston, Ph.D., Carolyn Costin, LMFT and Francie White, MS, RD alongside Julie Samuels, a therapist/body movement/yoga/nia teacher, for 6 days that will change your life. Bring your partner along for the excursions while you participate in soul work, mythology group activities, journal, art, and music. For more information call 800-263-4217 or visit www.innerescapes.com. Watch for information on the Costa Rica retreat during their summer/our winter February 20th, 2005!

Philadelphia, PA -- The 14th Annual Renfrew Center Foundation Conference. Feminist Perspectives and Beyond: Hungers, Health and Healing on November 4-7, 2004 at Philadelphia Airport Marriott. Keynote Presenters: Naomi Wolf; Pauline Powers, MD; Babette Rothschild, MSW, LCSW; Ron Taffel, PhD. Topics and workshops: Treatment techniques and programs that address the hungers of eating disorders; Research and treatment in the field of obesity and weight loss surgery; Perspectives on weight loss, dieting and health at every size; Hungers specific to diverse populations and life cycle issues; The concept of the empty self in the development and treatment of eating disorders; Journaling in psychotherapy; The therapist at mid-life. For more information, please contact Debbie Lucker at 1-877-367-3383 or visit www.renfrew.org (23 CE Credits offered).

New York, NY -The Center for the Study of Anorexia and Bulimia is offering the following trainings:

1. “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders” training to be held on Monday evenings beginning in September for 15 weeks. For more information or to register, please call Jaclyn at 212-333-3444.

2. Two-year training program in the “Psychodynamic Treatment of Eating Disorders” to be held on Monday evenings beginning in September. For more information please contact Jaclyn at 212-333-3444.

Eastham, MA  -- August 23-27, 2004 Course on Eating Disorders and Self-Harm. Sharon K. Farber, PhD is teaching a week-long course at the Cape Cod Institute on Self-Harm.  The Body Speaks of Trauma: Eating Disorders, Self-Injury, Body-Modifications  "When the body weeps tears of blood, we need to wonder what terrible sorrows cannot be spoken. When food that had tasted good suddenly feels
like poison and has to be purged from the body, we should wonder what traumatic experiences exist that cannot be contained, metabolized, and integrated. . . . The body speaks of that which cannot be said in words, of secrets, lies, and trust that has been broken." For more information contact Dr. Farber at 914-478-1924 or visit www.cape.org.

Eating Disorder Professionals Needed:

Ambler, PA Training - Eating Disorder Professionals Needed: My Self Design, seeks experienced eating disorder professionals interested in the Bariatric surgery population to become providers of a unique 18 session, CBT aftercare program. This program fills a critical treatment void and affords clinicians a rewarding opportunity to help people who are badly in need of appropriate care. Training takes place in Ambler, PA, and candidates must be licensed in the state where they practice. For more information please visit www.myselfdesign.com or contact Carol Signore, MAT, MS, LMFT at 215-540-9675.

Online Interactive Recovery Tools:

MySelfHelp.com Addresses Body Image Problems in Online Bulimia Program: Along with summer comes an even greater focus on bathing suits, beauty pageants, and body image. The media’s promotion of unrealistic standards of physical beauty continues to have a negative impact on society – particularly adolescents and young adults. People of all ages find it hard not to buy into the materialistic messages that flood us every day from all the mass media.  For adolescents and young adults, it can be even more difficult not to aspire to the standards of beauty epitomized by models and actresses. Young people may resort to purging or severely restrictive eating in a quest to achieve the proper look, or they may simply lose confidence and self-esteem because they know they will never reach their goals. MySelfHelp.com has addressed this dangerous trend by including a section on Body Image in Take Control of Bulimia, its online, self-help program. This section of the program addresses body image and self-esteem issues with educational content and exercises to help members work on and eventually change negative attitudes towards their bodies.  Take Control of Bulimia is one of the growing family of interactive MySelfHelp.com programs, which include Stop Binge Eating, Defeating Depression, Overcoming Guilt, and Working on Low Self-Esteem. Take Control of Bulimia provides information, tools, and exercises that enable people who suffer from bulimia to identify underlying issues and problems, and learn techniques to identify triggers, eliminate bingeing and purging, and prevent a relapse. The program also includes sections on nutrition, body image, psychotherapy, medication, and personal stories. The Stop Binge Eating program provides exercises that enable members to overcome misconceptions about dieting, and weight loss; identify and manage triggers for binge eating; and develop strategies to prevent overeating. Defeating Depression is a comprehensive, interactive program that provides information, tools, and exercises that help members to identify and change negative thinking, interrupt negative cycles of behavior, learn a variety of coping strategies, and prevent a relapse. Overcoming Guilt features tools that enable members to identify and change negative thoughts and beliefs associated with guilt. It includes dozens of exercises to help members practice new skills and improve their relationships. Working on Low Self-Esteem enables members to identify the causes of low self-esteem, change negative thoughts and beliefs, develop solutions to current issues and problems, learn strategies and techniques to avoid negative thoughts and behavior, and improve relationships.

MySelfHelp.com programs emphasize evidence-based strategies, drawing heavily of cognitive-behavioral treatment techniques.  The self-help programs are meant to be used in conjunction with treatment, not as a substitute for it.  Members receive all available programs for a $15 monthly subscription rate, enabling healthcare professionals whose clients are using the programs to deliver a more comprehensive treatment program.  If you would like to take advantage of MySelfHelp.com’s free 30-day program preview for EDReferral.com professionals, please send an email to info@myselfhelp.com and identify yourself as an EDReferral.com member professional.

Treatment Center News:

Arizona Treatment Center News: Mirasol, a residential program located in Tucson, AZ, is launching a program for adolescent girls ages 12-18. The program is slated to open August 2004 with a custom designed program for girls struggling with anorexia, bulimia, and obesity. The adolescent program will utilize the integrative approach to treatment, which is a Mirasol signature. Mirasol is dedicated to providing a safe haven for girls, to heal through a highly successful approach that respects and nourishes the body, mind and spirit of each individual. The adolescent program will be limited to eight adolescent girls to ensure exclusive, personalized attention to every detail of the recovery process. Featured therapies include: Neurofeedback Intensive 5- day Family workshops; 4-Day Mother and Daughter workshops; Cognitive-behavioral; Adventure therapy; Rocks and ropes; Challenge courses; Animal therapy; Martial arts; Expressive arts therapy; Body image and movement; Whole food diet and nutritional counseling; Focused Continuing Care and intensive one-year aftercare.

Florida Treatment Center News - "Reality Based Treatment for Eating Disorders." Milestones Eating Disorders Program offers residential treatment for anorexia, bulimia, compulsive overeating, and related disorders. The program is unique in so far as offering a supportive and structured environment while providing real world experiences such as preparing meals, grocery shopping, and participating in an array of activities simulating one's at home setting. Participants live within an apartment setting and are afforded opportunities to attend a variety of evening support groups while attending group and individual therapies during the day. The program is part of a facility, which is JCAHO accredited (Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) and licensed by the State of Florida to provide residential treatment as well as intensive outpatient services. The overall philosophy of Milestones is one of providing the treatment within a less restrictive setting than the traditional hospital environment and providing people with ample opportunities to put into practice those skills necessary to maintain their recovery when they return home. Milestones is intended for those who are not in need of a hospital setting and are able to demonstrate a sincere desire to recover from their eating disorder. You can learn more about the program at the Milestones web site at www.milestonesprogram.net or by calling Milestones at 800-347-2364.

Colorado Treatment Center – Colorado- Treatment Center News: The Eating Disorder Center of Denver offers a full spectrum of care from partial hospitalization through outpatient to males and females individuals age 16 and older. The Partial Hospitalization Program operates 11 hours per day, 7 days per day and includes supervised meals and snacks. The Evening Intensive Outpatient Program operates 4 hours per evening, three days per week. Most of the Eating Disorder Center of Denver's program components are available on an outpatient basis. Services include: individual and family/couples therapy; group therapy including DBT and aftercare, psychiatric evaluation; therapy and medication monitoring; and nutritional counseling. Non-EDC-Denver treatment providers are welcome to utilize these services as adjunct therapies to their own treatment. Visit http://www.edcdenver.com for details and schedules.

Lecture Series:

Children's Hospital - Omaha, NE: Children's Hospital - Omaha, Nebraska - Children’s Hospital's Eating Disorders program presents a quarterly Educational Series on current topics related to eating disorders. The next presentation will be held Saturday, October 9, 2004, at Children's Hospital at 8200 Dodge Street, in the Glow Auditorium. Topics presented include medical complications that may result from an eating disorder; the role of medications in effectively treating eating disorders; the importance of nutrition and meal planning; understanding the optimal balance of exercise, recreation, and relaxation; the role of spirituality in the recovery process; negotiating the inpatient admission and discharge process; the importance of a strong outpatient treatment program; and when a residential eating disorder program may need to be pursued. This lecture series is open to patients and their families, medical professionals and the general public. There is no cost to attend but it is recommended that you make reservations if you plan to attend. For additional information about treatment plans or services provided by the Eating Disorders Program, please call 402-955-6190 or 800-642-8822.

Support Groups:

Duluth, GA - Free ANAD support group sponsored by the Renfrew Center. The group is held at 1045 Parsons Road at St. Benedict's Church from 10am -1:30am every Saturday. The group is facilitated by Karen Macke, LPC and Page Love, RD, LD. Guests are welcome including family members. For more information call 770-365-8644.

Newton, MA - Free Support Group: Hope and Inspiration is a free drop-in group that takes place the first Saturday of every month from 10-11am at MEDA's Newton office located at 92 Pearl Street. During the hour, a recovered individual shares his/her story of recovery leaving time for discussion and questions. Please contact MEDA at 617-558-1881x12 for more information.

Birmingham, AL – Free Eating Disorder Support Group: Sponsored by ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders). This group meets every Tuesday from 6:30-8:00pm at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church Main Building Room on 318 Kentucky Avenue, Vestavia Hills, AL.  This group is designed to accomplish the following: provide support and recovery information for those living with any eating disorder; provide resources and hope to the community regarding eating disorders and recovery; provide a common ground for sharing experiences and provide honest feedback in a safe environment.  The last Tuesday of each month is Family Night where the focus is on providing support to family and friends of those living with an eating disorder. For more information please contact Angela Camp at 205-871-4443. Information can also be requested via email at anadbham@aol.com.

Coconut Creek, FL - Eating Disorders/AABA Support Group: The Renfrew Center of Coconut Creek, FL offers a FREE eating disorder support group every Saturday from 2:00-3:30pm. This weekly support group, sponsored by the American Anorexia/Bulimia Association, is professionally facilitated and designed for individuals suffering from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and/or other disordered eating patterns, as well as their families and friends. For more information about The Renfrew Center of Coconut Creek call 1-800-RENFREW or visit www.renfrewcenter.com.

Miami, FL - College Student Support Group: The Renfrew Center of Miami, FL offers a FREE support group every Monday from 6:15-7:15pm. This professionally facilitated group is for college students coping with disordered eating or those using food as a way of managing their emotions. For more information about The Renfrew Center of Miami call 1-800-RENFREW or visit www.renfrewcenter.com.

Wilton, CT - Free Eating Disorder Support Group: The Renfrew Center of Southern CT offers a FREE eating disorders support group every Saturday morning at 11:00 am (except holidays). This group is professionally facilitated and is designed for people struggling with eating disorders and for their friends and families. For more information about The Renfrew Center of Southern Connecticut call 203-834-5020 or visit www.renfrewcenter.com.

Manhattan/Union Square, NY - Free Eating Disorder Support Group: This group meets the first Monday of every month from 8:30-9:45pm. The group is free and open to anyone suffering from an eating disorder or body image difficulty. The group is run by therapists who are trained and on staff at The Eating Disorder Resource Center in NYC. Please call 212-989-3987 to reserve a spot.

New York, NY - Free Adolescent Support Group: The Center for the Study of Anorexia and Bulimia facilitates a free support group on the first Saturday of every month from 10:30am-12pm. Location: 1841 Broadway, 4th Floor. For more information please contact Jaclyn Kodosky at 212-333-3444.

San Francisco, CA - 12-week Women of Size group: The Eating Disorders Collaborative will offer a 12-week Women of Size group beginning Wednesday, August 11 from 7:30-9:00pm. For more information, please contact Marcy Dubova at 415-987-4118 or visit www.edcollaborative.com.

Ithaca, NY - Parent Support Group: This group meets every other week, alternating Mondays and Wednesdays, 7:00pm at Cornell Cooperative Extension. This is a free support group for parents and loved ones of young people with eating disorders. Contact Cornell Cooperative Extension at 607-272-2292 and ask for information about the next meeting of the Parent Partner Support Group (Contact person: Nancy Potter).

Denver, CO -- Outpatient Groups:

DBT Skills Training Group, Mondays 5:00-6:30pm: An ongoing group providing didactic and experiential education in four different skill areas: core mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance ($75/group). Meetings are held at the Eating Disorder Center of Denver, 950 S. Cherry, Ste 300, Denver, CO 80246. For more information or to register call 720-889-4232.

Body Image Group, Tuesdays, 5:30-7:00pm: An ongoing group providing cognitive behavioral and experiential techniques to mend the relationship between a woman and her body ($50/group). Meetings are held at the Eating Disorder Center of Denver, 950 S. Cherry, Ste 300, Denver,CO 80246. For more information or to register call 720-889-4232.

Eating Disorders Anonymous, Saturdays, 2:00-3:00pm: A FREE, open support group for individuals suffering and recovering from eating disorders. Meetings held at the Glendale YMCA, 4500 E. Kentucky Avenue. For more information or to register call 720-889-4232.

Support Group for Families and Friends of Individuals with Eating Disorders: The family and friend support group is designed to offer support, understanding and a space to talk to others about how to help your loved one and how to help yourself. Anyone who is helping a friend or family member cope with an eating disorder is invited to attend. The group will take place on July 29th at 6pm at Eating Disorder Foundation of the Rockies, 3003 East Third Ave, Suite 110A, Denver, CO 80206. For more information or to RSVP call Enola Gorham at 720-889-4231 or visit www.edcdenver.com.

Online Support Group: Milestones sponsors an online support forum that is open to anyone who is seeking eating disorder information and support. The group's membership is just under 1000 participants, all of whom are either suffering from an eating disorder or are affected by a loved one suffering with an ED. The forum can be accessed via a link at Milestones or directly www.groups.yahoo.com/group/milestonesinrecovery.

Books, Resources and Media:

The Beginner's Guide to Eating Disorder Recovery Now! Author: Nancy Kolodny, MSW, LCSW. This self-help guide was written specifically for teen and college-aged readers (and their loved-ones) who are confronting an eating disorder for the first time. The author encourages both young men and women to take charge of their lives by learning about their disorders and starting a practical course of action. Included are special sections for athletes, romantic partners, tips for avoiding relapse, basic facts about nutrition, and the role of families in recovery.  The text, written in a conversational tone, is sprinkled with insights and inspiring quotes from the author’s clients. This is a self-help guide in the truest sense because it places the primary responsibility for recovery in the hands of the individual, where lasting change must begin. To purchase this book or other selections at discounted rates go to http://www.edreferral.com/books.htm. 

Marketing Tips:

Banner Advertising - A limited number of banner openings are available on a first-come, first-served basis for EDReferral.com: Please let us know if you have any questions about advertising with EDReferral.com by emailing edreferral@aol.com.

This Month’s Featured Article: Growing your practice: What is one referral worth? “Referrals make up the bedrock of your private practice and therefore should be treated like gold.”…”Consider that one regular client paying $80 a week for a year can increase your income by $4160.  If this client refers 2 new clients to you and they in turn each refer 1 client, then after a year, your income can increase by a total of $20,800 just as a result of that first referral.” Read the entire article at Physicians Financial Management Click Here.

(Remember that joining EDReferral.com for an individual therapist still only costs $75 a year…that works out to less than $7 a month!)

Newsletter Protocol: Our newsletter goes out to thousands of professionals and laymen via email, mail and fax. Edreferral.com receives numerous requests by professionals to have information included in the newsletter. Unfortunately, we have limited space to include all information thus here is the current protocol.

1. All information must be submitted to edreferral@aol.com no later than the 20th of each month. Inclusion in the newsletter will be based on a first come - first serve basis.

2. Information is subject to review and editing for space considerations.

3. If you are a member, send us information on conferences, workshops, support groups and projects and we will list this information on the website for FREE as we have always done. We want to support your work. If you are a member and you would like your event to also be announced in the newsletter the charge is $75.00.

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