Title: Psychological Intervention for Obesity

Presenters: Heather C. Hamilton, PhD

Description: Part 1: In this webinar, counselors will learn and explore the clinical and social importance of obesity. You will also learn ways to assist your clients in overcoming underlying challenges that cause obesity. Topics that will be covered in this webinar include: obesity, food addiction, emotional eating, challenges clients bring up during intake, morbidly obese clients, emotional eating as it is related to other mental health diagnoses, psychoeducation, effect of primary relationships, motivational interviewing, insecure styles, REBT, choice points and Breakthrough program.

Part 2: In this webinar, counselors will learn and explore different parts of the brain and how they impact obesity. Counselors will also understand how those portions of the brain impact client’s eating behaviors. Topics that will be covered in this webinar include: eating behaviors, homeostasis, hedonic hunger, allostasis, binge eating, depression, hopelessness, addiction, neural pathways, parts of the brain, impulse control, rational eating, motivation spillover effect, family history, reflection tools, sleep deprivation.

Part 3: In this webinar, counselors will learn triggers that can lead to emotional eating. Counselors will also understand the relationship between the medical field and psychological field in weight management therapy. Topics that will be covered in this webinar include, cycle of emotional eating, commonalities between depression and metabolic disorder, relationship between the medical field and psychological field, helping clients create positive experiences, anxiety and fear.

Part 4: In this webinar, counselors will identify ways to manage anxiety and stress, as well as learn skills to treat stress and anxiety. Counselors will also learn about the disease model of addiction. Topics that will be covered include, complex trauma, managing stress and PTSD, stimulus driven behavior, withdrawal, tolerance and relapse prevention.

Part 5: In this webinar, counselors will explore personality disorders in the scope of emotional eating. Counselors will learn how to teach their clients to develop some awareness of thoughts and attributes that predispose them to making unhealthy choices. Topics that will be covered include, mindfulness and affirmations, self-acceptance, personality disorders, attachment styles and food, relationships in the scope of enabling and stress.

Part 6: In this webinar, counselors will explore the association between the environment and food; specifically, the influence of social media and food marketing. Topics include, infiltrating social networks, developing client’s strategy and reframing.