In this workshop, you learn effective strategies to facilitate healthy exercise and nutritional behaviors in your clinical work with adults, families and children affected by a range of eating and weight disorders. You examine common medical and psychosocial challenges related to eating and weight disorders (with a focus on childhood obesity) along with strategies to engage with these issues with clients, medical providers, coaches and other collaterals in the broader community. Since exercise and healthy nutrition have been shown to improve physical health; decrease depression, anxiety and substance abuse; and to increase self-confidence, concentration and positive mental health, it is important for therapists to learn how to best integrate these aspects into their clinical work. You explore a range of specific nutritional and exercise guidelines. Experiential exercises give you practical tips on how to discuss these sensitive topics in and outside of a traditional therapy setting.
Learner Outcomes
- Identify common medical, psychological, social and cultural problems and issues associated with eating and weight disorders
- Describe the challenges and role of the therapist in working with adults, children and families struggling with obesity
- Summarize the exercise and nutritional guidelines for children within our scope of practice
- Practice effective strategies to help adults, children and families improve their health
- Integrate and design a plan to incorporate exercise and nutrition discussions during intake, therapy and all clinical work