Emotional Eating 2.0: Evidence-based Treatments Addressing Body Image and Chronic Dieting 

About This Course

Individuals grappling with weight and food challenges often find themselves in a cycle of shame, obsession, and despair. Torn between strict dieting and uncontrolled eating, each day can become an emotional struggle, potentially worsening self-esteem issues and contributing to the development of eating disorders, anxiety, or depression. Emotional Eating 2.0: Evidence-Based Treatments Addressing Body Image and Chronic Dieting is a comprehensive course designed for mental health professionals seeking to enhance their expertise in treating client’s emotional eating. This course delves into the intricate relationship between body image, chronic dieting, and emotional eating behaviors. Participants will explore evidence-based therapeutic interventions and treatment strategies to effectively address these issues and be equipped with practical tools and knowledge to support clients in overcoming emotional eating and achieving sustainable, positive changes in their lives.  

Learning Objectives    

Participants will… 

1. Identify patterns of emotional eating within clients and develop skills for helping clients increase emotional awareness and communication.
2. Assess clients for body image difficulties, level of impairment and develop strategies for helping clients reduce body hate and weight obsession.
3. Identify chronic dieting signs and symptoms within clients and create treatment plans for clients to eradicate cognitive distortions around dieting and nutritional habits. 

Course Lessons and Descriptions 

EED 101: Emotional Eating: What's Food Got to Do with It? Untangling Food and Feelings 
Rhona Epstein, Psy.D. 

In this lesson, Dr. Rhona Epstein discusses the complexities of emotional eating, highlighting how emotions and food become intertwined. She shares personal and professional insights into the destructive impact of emotional eating, emphasizing the need for therapy, support groups, and faith-based strategies to untangle these patterns and promote lasting recovery and emotional health. 

EED 102: Body Image: Becoming Your Own Caring and Kind Best Friend 
Rhona Epstein, Psy.D.  

This lesson addresses the pervasive issue of body dissatisfaction and self-hate. Dr. Rhona Epstein emphasizes the destructive nature of body shaming and the importance of fostering self-compassion and acceptance. Through personal anecdotes and client stories, she advocates for a holistic approach to healing, involving spiritual growth, cognitive behavioral techniques, and a supportive community to combat negative body image and promote self-acceptance as “a work in progress.” 

EED 103: Chronic Dieting: Ditching Dieting for Enduring Peace with Food and Our Bodies 
Rhona Epstein, Psy.D.  

 This lesson explores the pervasive issue of dieting culture, highlighting the destructive cycle of restrictive diets and rebound eating. Dr. Rhona Epstein emphasizes the importance of internal transformation over external fixes, advocating for sustainable, nourishing eating habits and a shift in focus from weight loss to peace and a healthy relationship with food and the body. 

Course Presenter 

Rhona Epstein, Psy.D., began her recovery journey at seventeen years old after battling binge eating and bulimia from childhood. Affected so deeply by the recovery process, she determined to devote the rest of her life to helping others out of the same insanity with food abuse and weight obsession. Since 1994, Rhona provides individual, couples, family, group therapy and coaching online & in her private practice in Chester County Pennsylvania. While she’s expanded her practice to reach people with a wide range of issues, she specializes in treating addictions and eating disorders. Depending on the client, Rhona integrates either twelve-step recovery principles or biblically-based spirituality in therapy. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology from Chestnut Hill College in 2009. Dr Rhona’s latest books include Satisfied, The Satisfied Workbook, and Hope & Healing for Food Addiction. 

Continuing Education Approval Statements

Continuing Education Accreditations applicable to this course
NBCC, IBCC, ACSI, Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, (accepted by the SOH, CSWMFTB), South Dakota Board of Examiners for Counselor & Marriage and Family Therapists , South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors and Psycho-Educational Specialists, North Carolina Board of Licensed Mental Health Counselors

The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) offers some psychologists, therapists, counselors, social workers and play therapists Continuing Education (CE) credit due for good standing with certain states and a limited number of professional organizations. It remains the responsibility of each participant to be aware of state licensure and CE requirements.  

Participants should check their state and/or local regulations regarding required continuing education hours. For more information Light University Continuing Education programs, please visit: https://lightuniversity.com/continuing-education-statements/.

Date Created: August 7th, 2024