Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches for Eating Disorders

Description

Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches for Eating Disorders is Module 4 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.

When eating disorders show up in your clinical work, will you know what to do? These complex, often hidden, and life-threatening conditions require more than compassion—they demand evidence-based strategies grounded in science and shaped by lived experience.

Whether you're a generalist clinician or a specialist in behavioral health, this course equips you with practical, effective tools for addressing eating disorders with the ethical rigor and cultural sensitivity they deserve.

Dr. Melanie Smith, PhD, LMHC, CEDS-C, is a leading expert in the treatment of eating disorders and co-author of The Renfrew Unified Treatment Model for Eating Disorders and Comorbidity. A Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and Trainer of the Unified Protocol, Dr. Smith integrates her clinical expertise with real-world experience supervising and training clinicians internationally.

Her approach is deeply rooted in evidence-based practice and shaped by the belief that research must meet real life. She pairs rigorous scientific frameworks with relational and culturally responsive methods, ensuring that participants walk away confident and prepared to implement what they’ve learned.

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the most current, evidence-based treatments for eating disorders, including Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT-E), Family-Based Treatment (FBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), and Intuitive Eating. Special attention is paid to working with diverse populations and applying evidence-based practices with flexibility and fidelity. It also includes a detailed introduction to ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) and the latest treatments tailored to children, adolescents, and adults.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand proven treatment models: Learn the foundations and applications of today’s leading evidence-based treatments for eating disorders.

• Apply CBT and family-based strategies: Explore how behavioral strategies are used to promote recovery across different clinical presentations.

• Gain specialized knowledge on ARFID: Discover effective, developmentally tailored interventions for this often-misunderstood diagnosis.

Why This Course?

• Comprehensive and practical: This training covers multiple treatment approaches in depth—making it easier to meet the needs of a diverse client population.

• Taught by a trusted expert: Dr. Smith's combined clinical and academic expertise ensures content that’s both accurate and applicable.

• Backed by a trusted institution: Telehealth Certification Institute is known for excellence, integrity, and quality in clinician education.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the key elements of family-based treatment for adolescents with eating disorders.

• Explain the application of cognitive behavioral principles and strategies to the treatment of eating disorders.

• Identify at least one evidence-based approach to the treatment of avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).

Whether you’ve already encountered eating disorders in your practice or want to prepare before you do, this course offers essential insights and tools to make your work more impactful—and your clients' outcomes more hopeful. Add it to your learning today, and be ready when it matters most.

Add this course to your cart to begin learning instantly.

Format and Access

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.

Course Details

Availability: 

From the time of registration, you have six months to access the coursework.

Who Should Attend: 

This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services.

Teaching Methods: 

This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Teaching methods for this course include recorded lectures, videos, a post-test, and a course evaluation.

How to Attend: 

Course access and completion instructions.

Instructor and Disclosures

Instructor

About Melanie Smith, PhD, LMHC, CEDS-C

Melanie Smith (she/her) is a therapist in private practice at CBT of Central & South Florida (https://cbtcentralflorida.com) and a Consulting Clinical Training Specialist for the Renfrew Center. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Qualified Supervisor in the State of Florida. Additionally, she is a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and Approved Consultant (CEDS-C) and is a Certified Therapist & Trainer of the Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP). Special treatment interests include Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction such as Rumination Syndrome, OCD, phobias including emetophobia, health-related anxiety, and coping with chronic pain & chronic illness.

Dr. Smith is passionate about the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based treatments, clinical supervision, and clinical training and has presented numerous lectures, workshops, and Keynote presentations at academic and professional conferences nationally and internationally. She has co-authored publications in peer-reviewed journals and is co-author of the peer-reviewed treatment manual and patient workbook, The Renfrew Unified Treatment Model for Eating Disorders and Comorbidity, published by Oxford University Press.

Disclosure Statement: 

The instructor for this course receive compensation for their services. There are no reported conflicts of interest to disclose.

CE Hours

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.

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 marriage and family therapists #MFT-0135, effective May 8, 2025.

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.

Accommodations and Policies

Close Captioning is available for live webinars and recorded video presentations.

You can click on the following links to view our policies:

• Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities.
• Cancellation Policy
• Grievance Policy
• Support Options
• Disclosure Statement