This conference will provide professionals with the opportunity to learn unique and innovative treatments for providing quality care for those suffering from Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder and other eating or body image disorders.  Conference participants will have an opportunity to update their ‘treatment toolbox’ with treatment models and interventions, increase and acquire new skills, and engage in networking and referral opportunities.  Basic level workshops are available for Students or Therapists new to the Eating Disorder field.  Participants will earn 6.0 CEU’s.

8:00 – 8:45am 
Registration and Coffee 

8:45 – 9:00am 
Welcome

9:00 – 10:30am 
Plenary Session #1   

• Transforming Attachment Relationships in Relational & Intra-Relational Domains with Eating Disordered Clients
  Mark F. Schwartz, ScD – Castlewood Treatment Center, St Louis, MO
  Learn how specific relational interventions, arising from a rich body of attachment literature and research, can restructure attachment, starting with the therapeutic relationship, then extending to intra-relational dynamics between self-states, and finally interpersonal relationships in general.

10:30 – 10:45am 
Break and Exhibits

10:45 – 11:45am 
Break Out Sessions #1 
Choose One Session:

• A) Understanding The ABC’s of Eating Disorders.
  Jennifer Schurman Leslie, MA, LPC – The Awakening Center, Chicago, IL
  Learn the Eating Disorder spectrum, the predisposing, precipitating and sustaining factors, family characteristics and the psychological effects of malnutrition.  (Beginner Level)

• B) Helping Clients Move from a 12-Step based model to an Integrative Approach. 
  Deborah L Klinger, MA, LMFT, CEDS & Clare A Stadlen, LCSW – Chapel Hill, NC
  Explain the philosophical perspectives and challenges of the addictions model and learn exercises and interventions for blending the 12-Step perspective with a fuller experience of recovery.  (Intermediate Level)

• C) An Introduction to Family Based Treatment for Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa
  Kristen Anderson, MA, LSW & Colleen Stiles-Shields, MA, LSW – University of Chicago Eating Disorder Program, Chicago, IL
  Understanding the context, suitability and goals of Family Based Treatment as an effective means of treating Anorexia in adolescents.  (All Levels)

• D) Utilizing Support Groups as a Tool for Clients and Their Families
  Beverly Watson, RN, BS & Laura Egan, BS – Arabella House of Linden Oaks at Edward, Naperville, IL
  The importance of utilizing support groups in addition to traditional therapy sessions to aid clients and support their significant others.  (All Levels)

• E) Keeping Your Tools Sharp: Preventing Relapse in Eating Disorders
  Nicole Siegfried, PhD – Magnolia Creak Treatment Center, Columbiana, AL
  Discuss relapse & recovery, review predictors of relapse, learn exercises for relapse prevention for group and individual therapy.  (Intermediate Level)

11:45am – 1:45pm
Lunch and Plenary Session #2

• Quantifiable Evidence of the Effectiveness of EMDR in Treating Bulimia Nervosa
  James A Kowal, PhD – Center for Traumatic Stress, Naperville, IL
  The neurobiology of trauma and how it relates to various methods of treatment such as EMDR and the Internal Family Systems model.  In this presentation Dr. Kowal will present a case study using pre and post quantitative electroencephalograms (qEEG brain maps) to examine the effects of trauma on the brain and demonstrate the effectiveness of EMDR in the treatment of PTSD and Bulimia Nervosa.

1:45 – 2:00pm
Break and Exhibits

2:00-3:00pm 
Break Out Sessions #2
Choose One Session:

• F) Therapeutic Interventions to Utilize at Different Stages of Recovery
  Theresa Chesnut, MSW – Castlewood Treatment Center, St Louis, MO
  Explore the process of recovering from an eating disorder and the difference between controlling (or containing) a symptom and being in recovery.  (All Levels)

• CANCELLED
  G) Becoming an Embodied Therapist: Accessing the Language of the Body
  Susan Kleinman, MA, BC-DMT, NCC –  The Renfrew Center, Coconut Creek, FL
  Learn treatment techniques based on mind/body congruity to deal with issues underlying eating disorders. (All Levels)

• H) Not for the Faint of Heart:  The Six Risks in Recovery from Binge Eating Disorder
  Amy Pershing, LMSW, ACSW – The Center for Eating Disorders, Ann Arbor, MI
  Combining psychodynamic/mindfulness model with Health at Every Size approach to learn clinical interventions to help clients recover from Binge Eating Disorder. (All Levels)

• When Self-Injury and Eating Disorders Meet: Using Sensory Modulation Techniques
  Trish Jones-Bendel, RN, BSN & Lisa Mahaffey, MS, OTR – Linden Oaks at Edward, Naperville, IL
  Learn about sensory modulation for self injurers; learn strategies, tools and mindfulness techniques to be used in conjunction with sensory tools. (Intermediate/Advanced Level)

• J) Talking With “ED” and all his Friends: Introduction of the Internal Family Systems Model
  Amy Grabowski, MA, LCPC – The Awakening Center, Chicago, IL
  Contrary to current thinking, a client’s eating disorder is not one voice, but many.  Learn the basics of Internal Family Systems Therapy which works with these voices to increase the client’s sense of Self and enhance full recovery. (All Levels)

3:00 – 3:15pm
Break and Exhibits

3:15 – 4:15pm 
Break Out Sessions #3
Choose One Session:

• K) Nutrition Power Tools for Change: Nutrition Knowledge, Collaborative Language & Visual Reality
  Cathy Leman, MA, RD, LD – NutriFit, Inc, Glen Ellyn, IL
  Nutrition knowledge, the language of nutrition and visual reality can benefit clients while clients may misconstrue the information – learn ideas to bridge the two viewpoints to enhance recovery. (All Levels)

• L) Sizing Up Our Attitudes: Creating a Culture for Change
  Judith Matz, MSW, LCSW – The Chicago Center for Overcoming Overeating, Deerfield, IL
  Explore the therapist’s attitudes toward eating and weight and their effect on clinical practice. (All Levels)

• M) Working from the Inside Out and the Outside In: Experiential Therapies in ED Recovery
  Angela Derrick, PhD & Katherine Pruitt, MA, ATR-BC – Insight Psychological Center, Chicago, IL
  Several experiential techniques which can enhance the effectiveness of traditional psychotherapy by emphasizing the growth and development of the self. (Intermediate/Advance Level)

• N) Effective Exposure Therapies for Co-Morbid Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
  Robin Ross, PhD JSR – Associates in Psychology, Deerfield, IL & Karen Lynn Cassiday, PhD ACT – Anxiety & Agoraphobia Treatment Center, Northbrook, IL
  Review how to construct exposure based therapy treatment hierarchies for common co-morbid OCD symptoms and explain common techniques for overcoming OCD. (Intermediate/Advanced Level)

• O) Somatic Releasing Through Experiential Bodywork
  Stephen Schaefer, LCSW, BCD & Jennifer Hedgecock, ASW, MSW – Puente de Vida, San Diego, CA
  An experiential therapy that assists patients with somatoform disorders to get in touch with underlying emotions and releasing somatic energy for healing. (Intermediate Level)

4:15 – 4:30pm 
Conference End – Pick up CEU’s

Accommodations: 
A block of rooms has been reserved under the name “The Awakening Center” at the Holiday Inn Chicago North Shore which is adjacent to the Skokie Conference Center.  A discounted rate of $99 plus tax per night is guaranteed through April 28, 2010.  Reservations should be made by calling (866) 750-3369.

Find a Ride, Share a Room: 
A Blog has been set up to help those who are interested in sharing a ride to or from the Conference Center, or sharing a room at the Holiday Inn.  Go to www.EatingDisorderConference.Blogspot.com.  You can post your request and read others’ requests as comments to the main blog article. 

For More Information please see Conference FAQ’s at
http://awakeningcenter.net/conference/faq.html  

Or Contact:
The Awakening Center
Amy Grabowski
(773) 929-6262 x 11
awakeningcenter@aol.com

Download Conference Brochure (PDF)

Download EXHIBITOR APPLICATION (PDF) 

MP3 Recordings from 2009 Conference

Fees: 
Professional:
$125  Early Registration Discount if registered by March 31, 2010
$150  April 1 – May 7, 2010.
$165  May 8 – May 14, 2010 and all walk-in registrations

Student or ANAD Support Group Leader (must show school ID day of conference)
  $75  Early Registration Discount if registered by March 31, 2010
$100  April 1 – May 7, 2010.
$115  May 8 – May 14, 2010 and all walk-in registrations

Conference tuition includes workshops, plenary sessions and lunch. 
Lodging and Breakfast are NOT included.

Cancellation Policy: 
All Cancellations will be charged a $25 handling fee.  No refunds will be given after April 30, 2010.

To Pay by Credit Card:
***Please note there is a $3.75 service fee for Credit Card Registrations***
For online registration with credit cards go to: www.recoveryevents.net/Events/3rd-Annual-Midwest-Conference-for-Eating-Disorder-Professionals.html

To Pay by Check:
Mail a check payable to “The Awakening Center” with the registration form to:
The Awakening Center
ATTN: Conference Registration
3523 N Lincoln
Chicago, IL 60657