Eating Disorders: Etiological Factors, Assessment & Diagnosis is Module One of the 4-course Eating Disorder Training Certificate Program (EDTC). For more information on the EDTC and discounted enrollment in the full program, please visit this page.
Eating disorders are serious illnesses that can impact all areas of functioning and have the second highest mortality rate of any mental health condition. Despite misleading stereotypes about who suffers from eating disorders, we know that people of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, religious beliefs, socioeconomic statuses, body shapes, and weights can develop eating disorders. It is estimated that nearly 30 million individuals in the U.S. will suffer from an eating disorder during their lifetime, with prevalence rates in children and adolescents increasing by over 100% in the past decade. There are numerous etiological factors that influence the development and maintenance of eating disorders, including the many sociocultural stressors of the current day including the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. For these reasons, it is imperative for clinicians to have adequate training and knowledge in the treatment of these complex and often misunderstood conditions.
This course provides mental health clinicians with an overview of the genetic, biological, psychological, and myriad of sociocultural factors that contribute to the rising numbers of individuals affected by eating disorders. Assessment tools, as well as important considerations for culturally competent assessment eating disorder symptomatology and severity are explored. Strategies for differential diagnosis and assessment for level of care appropriateness are reviewed. Additionally, resources for additional support for individuals with severe eating disorders are provided.
This is a non-interactive, self-study course that offers over 6 hours of recorded video instruction.
Instruction consists of 6 hours of video instruction and a post-test.
From the time of registration, you have six months to access the coursework.
Upon completion of this training, professionals will be able to do the following:
Identify the etiological factors that increase vulnerability for the development of eating disorders.
Recognize how to comprehensively assess and differentially diagnose a range of eating disorders and related conditions.
List the criteria for level of care appropriateness based on a comprehensive eating disorder assessment.
Melanie Smith, PhD, LMHC, CEDS-S
Melanie Smith, PhD, LMHC, CEDS-S, is the Director of Training for The Renfrew Center for Eating Disorders. In this role, she provides ongoing training, supervision and consultation to clinicians across disciplines for the purpose of continually assessing and improving competence in the treatment of eating disorders. Dr. Smith is co-author of The Renfrew Unified Treatment for Eating Disorders and Comorbidity Therapist Guide and Workbook (Oxford University Press), is a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and Approved Supervisor, and is a Certified Therapist and Trainer for the Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP). In addition to her work with the Renfrew Center, Dr. Smith maintains a telehealth private practice specializing in the supervision and consultation of registered mental health counselor interns (Florida) and individuals seeking eating disorder specialist certification through the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (iaedp).
You can find more information about Dr. Smith here and the Renfrew Center here
Credit Hours: This course consists of 6 continuing education hours of credit.
Counselors: Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No, 6693. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Mental Health Counselors. #MHC-0048.
Marriage and Family Therapists: Many MFT licensing boards accept our courses or one of the approvals which we have from professional associations. You can check with your board to determine if your licensing board would accept this course.
Social Workers: Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, #1609, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 05/02/2024 – 05/02/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 6 clinical continuing education credits.
Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Social Workers #SW-0435.
Addiction Professionals: This course has been approved by Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #193104, Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is responsible for all aspects of the programming.
Psychologists: Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Psychologists #PSY-0128.
Art Therapists: Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Creative Arts Therapists #CAT-0093.
Other Professionals: This course qualifies for 360 minutes of instructional content as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations. Retain your certificate of completion and contact your board or organization for specific filing requirements.
This is a non-interactive, self-study course.
To receive your certificate of completion you must complete the course in its entirety.
To complete an Online Self Study Course, one must register, log in, select the My Courses option from the menu items, click the Course Title, complete all of the modules, complete and pass the post-test(s), and complete the course evaluation.
A grade of at least 80% or more is required to pass the post-test. Retaking the post-test is possible until the participant is able to pass the test.
Psychologists and other professionals seeking CE credit through our approval with the American Psychological Association are asked but not required to complete the course evaluation before obtaining their certificate of completion, however passing a post-test for online self-study courses, and submitting one's attendance for live on-site and live webinars is required.
You can download or print your certificate of completion by logging into your account, navigating to the course by selecting the My Courses option from the menu items, clicking the Course Title, scrolling to the Certificate of Completion section, and clicking on the Certificate of Completion link to either download it or print it.
Participants may request a printed version of their certificate of completion to be delivered by mail. A shipping/handling fee of $6.95 will be charged per request. Shipping internationally may require an additional charge.
Directions for completing a course can be found by clicking here.
This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services.
This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Teaching methods for this course include recorded lectures, videos, a post-test, and a course evaluation.
