DBT and Eating Disorders: Treatment Strategies for Complex, Multi-Diagnostic Eating Disorders

A four hour web-based introductory training

Many individuals with eating disorders do not respond adequately to first-line ED treatment approaches (e.g., FBT, CBT-ED). DBT, with its dialectical philosophy, acceptance and change principles, unique stylistic and commitment strategies, and focus on emotion regulation may address some of the proposed barriers to standard ED treatment.

Staying focused on managing food and weight goals with multi-diagnostic eating disorder clients is a challenging task. Knowing when and how to target disordered eating is not always clear. Multi-Diagnostic Eating Disorder DBT (MED-DBT) provides an alternative method for addressing eating, weight, and medical/psychiatric risk mgmt. that may otherwise prove significantly treatment interfering for first-line ED treatments to achieve in the context of complex ED presentations.

Multi-Diagnostic Eating Disorder DBT (MED-DBT) is a form of comprehensive DBT that includes guidance and strategies for working with clients with serious and life-threatening eating disorders. It includes integrations of standard ED concepts and treatment strategies with DBT interventions designed to enhance skills and emotion regulation, improve motivation, and ultimately support the client in achieving a life worth living.

This training event is being co-hosted with our colleagues DBT New Zealand.

Learning Objectives:

• Have a general overview of when and for whom to use DBT for in eating disorder treatment.
• Understand the role of emotion regulation for various eating disorder presentations including restrictive eating behaviours.
• Gain a general understanding of how to merge ED treatment with DBT.
• Be able to explain what MED-DBT is and who benefits from this model.
• Be able to discuss the general premise of MED-DBT and how it differs from both CBT for EDs as well as modifications to standard DBT.
• Identify where ED behaviours fall on the DBT target hierarchy and when.
• Learn how to target multiple ED behaviours in the context of suicide, self-injury etc
• Ensure you have the necessary medical information for effective targeting
• See variations on capturing ED targets on the diary card with behavioural specificity
• Learn about food and fluid tracking – considerations for when and why to incorporate this into standard DBT

Training Level

• This is an intermediate to advanced level DBT training. It presumes prior DBT training and experience in providing DBT treatment and good understanding of DBT concepts. Prior experience in treating eating disorders is not required and eating disorder knowledge presumed as introductory.

1. A registration is for one person. To successfully manage the event, we expect only one person to join the webinar as part of your registration.
2. You agree not to record the meeting in any way. You agree not to distribute materials to other persons without prior agreement.
3. Registrations are confirmed only when payment is received. Payment must be made before the training. By registering you accept liability for the costs of the training.
4. Cancellations must be notified to us by email (or the website contact form) with full identifying information.
5. Cancellations received more than seven days before the event will receive a refund of the fee paid less an administration charge of $50+GST (for each event).
6. Refunds cannot be given after that date. Refunds will not be available until after the event.
7. A colleague may be substituted for no extra charge if we are notified at least two business days before the training event.
8. In the unlikely event the training is cancelled by the organisers, registration will be fully refunded but no liability will be accepted for travel, accommodation or other costs/expenses incurred to registrants.
9. Online statements of attendance can be downloaded by all participants from this page. Printed certificates of attendance are not available for this event.