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Certificate in Eating Disorders

Over the past few years, eating disorders have become more prevalent and are increasing at a significant rate. Some of the major issues such as chronic dieting, obsessive exercise, and weight preoccupation have become major concerns and their effective treatment has to take into account many different factors that are very complex. In addition to this, with more and more people facing difficulties in the area of eating disorders, the urgency to have a multi-dimensional approach to understand and treat them has become ever more important. In this context, our certificate program in eating disorders is designed to provide you with knowledge about the skills required to effectively treat individuals who are struggling with anorexia, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and other eating problems.

This six-month certificate program will expose you to a wide range of theoretical models that address the types, causes and symptoms of eating disorders. In addition, the course will also show the different modalities of treatment, the impact of society with regard to eating disorders and the application of theory to practice. The course will be presented in jargon-free form, making it easily accessible to you and other participants who have an interest in the issue of eating disorders, or who have direct or indirect experience of working with, or living with eating disorders. The course is open to anybody who may find it of interest or value.

Note: The cost of the course is €495 and is payable on commencement. This cost covers administration, all reading/study material (there will be no need to buy any additional books) and a Certificate in Eating Disorders on successful completion of the course.

Learning Objectives

Our eating disorder certificate program aims to provide you the necessary keys to understanding eating disorders. The course also aims to provide you a crucial understanding along with the proper way to approach the situation initially at the preventive stage as well as intervention levels if the problem has already manifested. Apart from this, this short-term certificate course intends to give you the training that can enhance your competency in working with eating disorders or other eating problems.

Course Feature

The following are some of the vital features of our Certificate Program in Eating Disorders:

Course Outline

Types of eating disorders

• Definitions and concepts of eating disorders
• Information about and facts about eating disorders
• Obesity
• Anorexia nervosa; Bulimia; Compulsive eating; Body dysmorphic disorder; Pica; Anorexia Athletica; Cyclic vomiting

Theories of eating disorders

• Predisposing Factors – Genetics, Personality, Biological factors, Biochemistry, Family links, Eating Disorders as an Addiction, The Social Context

• Precipitating Factors – Stressors, Abuse, Growing up, Sexuality, Response to Crisis

• Perpetuating Factors – Family Relationships, Psychological factors, Cognitive factors

Treatments of eating disorders

• Medical intervention; Prevention; Relapse; Recovery
• The 12-step model
• Counselling & Therapy
• Self-esteem, Emotional needs, Control

Impact and influence of society

• Approaches to food
• Body image, Dieting
• Media messages & culture
• Gender & eating disorders

Eating disorders within the family

• Relationships and food
• Family systems, Family dynamics
• The difficulties of growing up, Transitions, Stress
• Dependency and Co-dependency

Working with eating disorders – Skills and Attitudes

• Counselling & helping skills & strategies
• Helper qualities & attitudes
• Caring for the carers