"It's not just about food!"

About the seminar

This seminar investigates the underlying issues, the unspoken language of the eating disorder for men and women.

“An eating disorder is a way of coping with life and yourself. At the same time it allows you to avoid both.” _{(a client)}

It will also address the importance of nutritional information and how best to advise and use this information within the framework of a therapeutic relationship.

Along with nutritional advice, we address the importance of working with stress management, life style and assertiveness skills. We will train you to help people with eating disorders to develop their self-esteem and their own non-competitive values of personal achievement. You will learn how to help someone to develop and strengthen positive social and coping skills.

In this way we begin to undermine the usefulness and power of the eating disorder. We take into consideration the investment of the sufferer in maintaining the disordered approach to life and health and emphasize the alternative strategies. Learning how to utilise daily life to practice these newfound skills is an essential component of recovery.

We do not dismiss the latest research of genetic inheritance and the need for medical intervention when required. We address the need for good and safe practice and how best to implement the use of the multi-disciplinary team within a therapeutic alliance.

We address the responsibilities and rewards of working with this complex, long-term client group. At the same time we will develop the reflexive approach that allows us to question some of our well established boundaries when dealing with chaos in the clients’ lives. “How directive can I allow myself to be and when?”

We offer a complete experiential package of learning. There will be learning sessions and learning experiences held in a safe and comfortable environment as we become aware of how to take care of ourselves in order to help others achieve the same goals of self-care and acceptance.

The 5-day week will consist of shared meals as part of the reflexive process, beginning with supper and registration on the Sunday evening this gives us 5 clear days to focus on the seminar.