iaedp Denver Metro Chapter

09/25/2023

Join us this Friday, 9/29, and get free CEs!

How to be Anti Diet: A Critical Undoing of Diet and Wellness Culture

Friday, September 29th, 11:45 am-1:30 pm MT via Zoom
FREE | 1.5 CE credits offered

Presentation Description
The world is awash in diet culture, making it difficult to address disordered eating head-on. Diet culture and messaging keeps people of all body sizes trapped in a belief that dieting is beneficial, when there is a body of research that shows that a focus on weight as a barometer of health is detrimental to people of all sizes. Attendees will hear about the historical underpinnings of weight stigma, hear RDs deconstructing nutrition myths and diet culture messaging, and learn how to cultivate an environment that celebrates rather than denigrates all bodies.

Claire St John, MPH RD CEDS-S, Director of Operations at Reasons Eating Disorder Center, is responsible for operations and research across all levels of care -- inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient. Claire brings her background in clinical nutrition care at Reasons and research experience to inform her work supporting therapists, nurses, doctors, psychiatrists and other staff to ensure that Reasons continues to be one of the best providers of eating disorder treatment. Claire also treats patients directly in her private practice.

Fiona LaRosa-Waters, BA is an experienced behavioral health marketing professional and community relations specialist. She has been working in the field of eating disorder treatment since 2011 and has held positions as a professional outreach representative for eating disorder and substance use facilities, a counselor in a treatment center for adult women with eating disorders, and providing coaching, outpatient case management and treatment placement services for clients struggling with addictions and eating disorders. Prior to shifting to a career in behavioral health Fiona worked in special education coordinating the administrative and operational aspects of a residence of deafblind students ages 16-22. She is passionate about helping people locate resources to support treatment and recovery, advancing education about eating disorders and addiction, and connecting with the mental health community. Fiona graduated summa cm laude from Lesley University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Services. She enjoys traveling, public speaking, cooking, and hiking with her dogs.

Alyssa Davis, RD holds a Bachelor and Master of Science Nutrition and Dietetic degrees from Loma Linda University. Alyssa is passionate about food and nutrition, mindful eating, and providing education and counseling from a non-diet, HAES perspective. Her specialties include eating disorders, disordered eating, and performance nutrition. Aside from day-to-day clinical work, Alyssa also regularly concerns herself with public speaking: presentations, webinars, and teaching. She serves as a contract professor at California State University Los Angeles. Alyssa currently has a private practice in Claremont, CA and works at Reasons Eating Disorder Center. She has extensive experience treating patients at all levels of care.

How to be Anti Diet: A Critical Undoing of Diet and Wellness Culture Presented By, Claire St John, Fiona LaRosa-Waters, and Alyssa Davis

09/25/2023

Get involved with Denver Metro Iaedp's Committee! We are currently recruiting for the following Positions! Contact [email protected] for more information.

08/02/2023

04/13/2023

Ketamine as a Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa: A Narrative Review
Write-up by Beth Letourneau, Denver Metro iaedp Research Committee Co-Chair

Anorexia Nervosa (AN), characterized by dietary restriction and weight loss, is a complicated, life-threatening disorder with a generally poor prognosis, high rates of relapse, and has proven to be extremely challenging to treat. AN commonly presents with depression; however “traditional antidepressants are often ineffective at alleviating depressive symptoms in underweight patients with AN” and in fact, “there are no approved psychopharmacological medications for AN” (Keeler et al, 2021).

Researchers are currently exploring alternative approaches to treating AN, including psychedelic assisted therapy. The specific psychedelic medication of interest in the present article is Ketamine, which is classified as a dissociative anesthetic. At sub-anesthetic doses, Ketamine is being tested for psychiatric purposes and is showing to be effective in treating common comorbid conditions found with AN, including depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Substance Use Disorders.

“Ketamine has rapid antidepressant effects, which are hypothesized to occur via increases in glutamine, with sequelae including increased neuroplasticity, neurogenesis, and synaptogenisis” (Keeler et al, 2021). This is quite promising as depression and cognitive rigidity are known barriers to recovery in AN. Therefore, perhaps with the assistance of Ketamine to decrease depression and to increase neuroplasticity and cognitive flexibility, this medication could open doors to allowing traditional psychotherapies used for AN to be more constructive.

Anorexia Nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness and low treatment efficacy with current protocol, so it only makes ethical sense to continue investigating new potential treatment approaches. However, further studies are needed to ensure the safety and effectiveness of Ketamine and other psychedelic assisted therapies in the context of AN treatment.

Keeler, J. L., Treasure, J., Juruena, M. F., Kan, C., & Himmerich, H. (2021). Ketamine as a treatment for anorexia nervosa: a narrative review. Nutrients. 2021 Nov 20. doi: 10.3390/nu13114158.

04/13/2023

APRIL iaedp ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. For iaedp-Approved Supervisors:

You can purchase the Supervisor Course, "Leading By Example," in iaedp’s learning platform, here. The cost is $25.

Please note: The “here” link takes you to is iaedp's learning platform where you get in to purchase courses. It is a different software system than iaedp’s website, so you will need to create a separate account before making the purchase.


2. If you are an iaedp member pursuing your Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) credential, you can receive 20% off the 4 Core Courses through April 2023. The code is 20%April. This can be used in iaedp's Learning Management System under "Promo Code."

03/22/2023

How Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) Aids in Eating Disorder RecoveryHow Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) aids in Eating Disorder Recovery Presented By, Allison Walford, LPC and Dana McDowell, LPC, CEDS

Friday, April 7 · 11:45am - 1pm MDT

Please join the Denver Metro iaedp Chapter for an engaging presentation and discussion with Allison Walford, LPC & Dana McDowell, LPC, CEDSFREE VIRTUAL EVENT VIA ZOOM!11:45AM- 12:00pm: Word from our Sponsors12:00pm - 1:00pm: Presentation by Allison Walford, LPC and Dana McDowell, LPC, CEDS (introduction by Jodie Benabe, Psy.D., CEDS, CCTP) Event Zoom Link will be forwarded upon your registration. Recordings of this event are only available to those have registered.How Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) aids in Eating Disorder Recoveryby Allison Walford, LPC & Dana McDowell, LPC, CEDSPresentation DescriptionWe will offer a description of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, how it has evolved from its origins as a safe and commonly used anesthesia drug to being used off-label for anxiety, depression, addictions, PTSD, eating disorders, and other psychiatric diagnoses. We will also discuss how it fits in the ever emerging, and scientifically validated, world of psychedelic treatments.We will talk about the application of KAP in ED treatment and present current research demonstrating the efficacy of this treatment modality.As time allows, we will present a case study and share feedback from clients who have done KAP with us.

02/09/2023

Impact of expanded diagnostic criteria for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder on clinical comparisons with anorexia nervosa

Summary by Beth Letourneau, Research Co-Chair of Denver Metro iaedp

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) and Anorexia Nervosa (AN) are both restrictive eating disorders with the potential of resulting in serious nutritional deficiencies and medical risk. Despite sharing this core component, ARFID and AN present with different driving forces and distinct features.

“Restriction and food avoidance in ARFID is not driven by the weight and shape concerns that typify AN” (Becker et al, 2019). The DSM-5 suggests that individuals with ARFID can be conceptualized as meeting one or more of the following three classifications: “[1] inadequate food intake [due to] lack of interest in food, [2] restricted range of foods due to smells, tastes, textures, temperatures, and appearance of food (i.e., sensory sensitivity), and [3] food avoidance following the development of a specific eating fear (i.e., a fear of aversive consequences from eating… [i.e.,] choking, vomiting, allergic reactions, GI distress)” (Becker et al, 2019).

The present study showed age of onset of ARFID to be significantly younger than that of AN, with ARFID at 8.30 years and AN at 16.38 years. Gender distribution of the ARFID sample was 50.8% female, while that of the AN sample was 94.4% female. Fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety were reported among those with ARFID compared to AN. Participants with ARFID expressed less body dissatisfaction and negative attitudes toward obesity. The ARFID sample presented with higher median BMI than the AN sample “but still found that individuals with ARFID were, on average, within an objectively low-weight range” (Becker et al, 2019). The two diagnoses did NOT differ in level of restrictive eating (p = .52).

“Individuals with either a diagnosis of AN or ARFID report high levels of dietary restriction but, as anticipated, those with AN report elevated cognitive restraint or effortful attempts to reduce food intake, urges to eat, and thoughts about food. On the other hand, those with ARFID report greater discomfort around new foods and very low levels of effortful control over eating” (Becker et al, 2019).

With regards to psychosocial impairment, although the driving forces of food restriction differ, those with ARFID do share similar disruptions in social functioning commonly experienced by those with AN, including eating-related struggles with participating in social activities, school, work, and family events, as well as difficulties maintaining relationships.

There are overlaps in these two restrictive eating disorders, however, when diagnosing and treating ARFID versus AN, it is crucial to recognize and address the critical differences. For example, emphasizing new food exposure in ARFID and targeting body image and/or emotional disturbances in AN. Of course every individual client is a unique, complex person that encompasses so much more beyond their diagnostic label and, as clinicians, we must remember to first and foremost treat the whole human being.

Becker et al. (2019). Impact of expanded diagnostic criteria for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder on clinical comparisons with anorexia nervosa. Int J Eat Disord. 2019 Mar; 52(3): 230-238. doi: 10.1002/eat.22988

02/01/2023

Reminder Webinar Tomorrow:
ARFID: Uncovering The Five Letter Acronym Presented By, Stefanie Ginsburg, RD, CEDRD-S

Fri, February 3, 2023, 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM MST
RFID: Uncovering The Five Letter Acronym

by Stefanie Ginsburg, RD, CEDRD-S

This one hour presentation is intended to provide an introduction to the newest eating disorder, ARFID. Geared for clinicians working in all levels of care, it will include background information on the diagnosis of ARFID, facts about general feeding, details about managing ARFID for both the therapist and dietitian, and some ideas about food exposures and their implementation.

Learning Objectives:

Distinguish between the different ARFID subtypes
Identify specialty assessments and interventions for therapists and dietitians
Explain the basics of conducting a food exposure
*1 CE available (To receive CE credit, live attendance is required. Please complete the evaluation and posttest and a CE certificate will be emailed to them.)

Stefanie Ginsburg, RD, CEDRD-S

Stefanie Ginsburg has been a Registered Dietitian since 2006, after receiving her Bachelor's Degree in Nutritional Sciences from Rutgers University and completing a one year dietetic internship with the Rutgers School of Biomedical and Health Sciences. Her career began as a Nutrition Therapist working for three years at the Center for Eating Disorders through Penn Medicine Princeton Health. After taking a break from eating disorders work to serve in the Peace Corps in Cameroon, she joined Eating Recovery Center of Denver's Child and Adolescent Program. During her eight year tenure, she became a Senior Clinical Dietitian and the company's subject matter expert in the treatment of patients with an ARFID diagnosis, helping to create a treatment protocol, admission assessments and providing a multitude of trainings for fellow clinicians and floor staff. She has presented on the treatment of ARFID within higher levels of care to varying professional populations and treatment centers. She has co-created and co-lead Mastering ARFID: 8 Week Training for Dietitians, as well as an online training course for clinicians entitled, Treating ARFID: The Newest Eating Disorder on the Block. Her aim with UNRESTRICTED NUTRITION Counseling and Consulting is to bring her expertise in and dedication to eating disorders as a Certified Eating Disorders Registered Dietitian and Approved Supervisor (CEDRD-S) to clients, families, and her associates.

01/20/2023

Upcoming Webinar:
ARFID: Uncovering The Five Letter Acronym Presented By, Stefanie Ginsburg, RD, CEDRD-S

Date and time
Fri, February 3, 2023, 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM MST

Location: Online

This one hour presentation is intended to provide an introduction to the newest eating disorder, ARFID. Geared for clinicians working in all levels of care, it will include background information on the diagnosis of ARFID, facts about general feeding, details about managing ARFID for both the therapist and dietitian, and some ideas about food exposures and their implementation.

Learning Objectives:

Distinguish between the different ARFID subtypes
Identify specialty assessments and interventions for therapists and dietitians
Explain the basics of conducting a food exposure
*1 CE available

12/29/2022

Have you heard? EDCare Denver is hiring! Join our dedicated and collaborative healthcare team, we have several great opportunities available! Learn more and apply online at

See current career opportunities that are available at EDCare

12/21/2022

EDCare is committed to helping every individual achieve long-term recovery success! Our PHP program is accepting new patients. Take a virtual tour of the Denver treatment center and our Connections House online!

EDCare provides high-quality, intensive eating disorder treatment in the heart of Denver, Colorado to adults over 18.