SWK6823 Treatment of Eating Disorders

Abstract

Course Description: The Eating Disorders Elective class will provide students with a comprehensive overview of eating disorders as biopsychosocial disorders and will focus primarily on methods and approaches to treatment within the confines of therapeutic social work practice. Students will gain an understanding of the etiology of eating disorders and accompanying personality issues from a developmental perspective. Diagnostic criteria will be fully covered, and students will be able to identify specific eating disorders in their clinical practice. Students will become familiar with the underlying language of an eating disorder and available treatment options including the benefits of working in a treatment team with this population. Mandatory readings will be assigned as will a suggested reading list for students interested in further study. All aspects of high-quality treatment for eating disorders will be addressed and students will leave this class with a solid base for understanding the complexity of eating disorders from a clinical and societal perspective. ¶II. LEARNING OBJECTIVES At the completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Understand eating disorders as complex biopsychosocial disorders, with an emphasis on the medical risk and neurological and biological manifestation of eating disorders. 2. Identify the full range of specific eating disorders, including EDNOS, with the ability to differentiate among eating disorders based on diagnostic criteria and apply differential diagnosis to the full range of eating disorders. 3. Develop awareness of sociocultural issues which impact the etiology, course, treatment and recovery of eating disorders, including the role of the media, from a person in environment lens. 4. Understand the role of culture in the lived experience of eating disorders, exploring risk and protective factors from a resiliency and strengths perspective. 5. Develop awareness of the lived experiences of vulnerable populations with eating disorders, including access to resources, healthcare and cultural norms of influence 6. Develop knowledge of foundation theories that contribute to understanding the etiology underlying eating disorders, including developmental theory to inform social work assessment of eating disorders with attention to safety risks among this population. 7. Demonstrate foundation social work practice skills for assessment, treatment planning and intervention in preparation for working with the eating disorder population. 8. Examine evidence-based treatment interventions for various eating disorders and treatment settings with regards to determining the level of care and appropriate intervention when engaging in treatment planning. 9. Understand the role of the social worker as part of the interdisciplinary team, and the value and the role of the interdisciplinary team in assessment and treatment of eating disorders.