It’s Complicated: Special Considerations for Supervising Clinicians Treating Eating Disorders

Description

Supervising therapists who treat eating disorders demands more than just general clinical know-how—it calls for ethical vigilance, systemic awareness, and specialized supervisory competence. This course equips you to navigate one of the most emotionally and clinically complex areas of behavioral health.

Whether you're new to supervising eating disorder treatment or looking to deepen your impact, this course gives you essential tools and insight to help your supervisees thrive—and help their clients get the quality care they need.

Melanie Smith, PhD, LMHC, CEDS-C, is a recognized expert in eating disorder treatment, supervision, and evidence-based care. As a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and Trainer of the Unified Protocol, Dr. Smith has trained clinicians nationally and internationally and co-authored a leading treatment manual published by Oxford University Press.

Dr. Smith brings an engaging and compassionate approach to supervision training—grounding her instruction in clinical experience, published research, and a deep understanding of the systemic and emotional dynamics surrounding eating disorders.

This course explores a range of essential topics, including ethical dilemmas in eating disorder treatment and supervision, the emotional regulation function of ED behaviors, and the impact of systemic influences such as diet culture, fatphobia, and provider bias. Participants will gain a working understanding of the Competency-Based Supervision model and how it applies to ED treatment, with emphasis on fidelity monitoring, adherence scales, and ongoing assessment. The course also addresses the vital role of multidisciplinary teams, how to identify supervisee limitations, and when and how to refer to eating disorder specialists.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand ethical risks: Learn how to recognize and respond to common ethical dilemmas in supervising eating disorder cases.

• Apply supervision models effectively: Gain clarity on how to integrate key elements of the Competency-Based Supervision model.

• Improve supervisee outcomes: Learn how to support clinicians in delivering emotionally and technically competent ED treatment.

Why this course?

• Essential knowledge for all supervisors: Eating disorders don’t always present clearly—supervisors in any setting must know how to spot risks and intervene appropriately.

• Expert-led, evidence-informed training: Dr. Smith combines cutting-edge research with clinical wisdom for a deeply practical learning experience.

• A higher standard of care: This course empowers you to uphold ethical and effective treatment practices in a high-stakes area of mental health.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe at least two ethical challenges that can arise in the treatment of eating disorders.

• Describe how to apply at least two elements of the Competency-Based Supervision model when supervising therapists treating eating disorders.

If you're ready to enhance your supervisory skills, protect your supervisees and their clients, and bring evidence-based clarity to complex ethical terrain, this training is a meaningful next step. Add it to your toolkit today.

Add to cart to begin learning instantly.

Format and Access

This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Instruction consists of 2 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 2 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 2 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 120 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