Working with eating disorders CPD
Adapting solution-focused hypnotherapy for safe and effective work with eating disorders.
This course is designed to deepen practitioners’ understanding of eating disorders and provide a clear, ethical framework for adapting the Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) model to support clients safely and appropriately.
With between 1.25 and 3.4 million people in the UK affected, around 25% of whom are male, the need for informed, ethical and clinically aware practitioners has never been greater. Early intervention is key, and understanding how to respond appropriately can significantly improve outcomes.
The training will support you in understanding the distinction between disordered eating and diagnosable eating disorders, recognising early warning signs, and knowing how to respond safely. You will learn how to carry out appropriate risk assessments, understand when it is not suitable to work with a client, and how to safeguard individuals where there may be a significant risk.
Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness, and anorexia nervosa in particular carries a significantly increased risk of premature death, with mortality rates notably higher than the general population.
Alongside this, the CPD explores the physiology of eating disorders and their impact on the brain, including considerations around obesity and ethical weight loss. You will gain clarity on when and how to work collaboratively with other professionals, and how to adapt our initial consultation to different client needs. Ultimately, this training equips you with the knowledge, boundaries and practical skills to support clients with poor relationships with food in a safe, ethical and effective way.
Delivered over two half days, this CPD first explores the physiology of eating disorders and the impact of dieting, building a clear understanding of underlying causes. The second session then takes a deeper dive into different presentations, safeguarding, and how to adapt your practice to safely and effectively support those experiencing eating disorders.
Course content
Key learning areas: neuroscience and physiology
- how the body regulates weight and stores fat
- impact of undernourishment and dieting on the brain and body
- links between restriction, stress, and disordered thinking
Dieting and risk factors
- dieting as a key trigger
- effects of diet culture and body image pressures
- role of stress, trauma, and personality traits
Understanding eating disorders
- difference between disordered eating and eating disorders
- diagnostic criteria and types (anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder)
- psychological, biological, and social contributing factors
- insight into the mindset of someone with an eating disorder
Food, nourishment and recovery
- importance of adequate nourishment
- disruption of hunger, fullness, and pleasure cues
- rebuilding a balanced relationship with food
Safeguarding and scope of practice
- recognising signs and symptoms
- when not to work with a client
- referral pathways and multidisciplinary support
- ethical and professional boundaries
Adapting the SFH model
- modifying language and goals for safe practice
- supporting gradual, sustainable change
- working appropriately with young people
Working with presentations
- greater understanding of anorexia
- awareness of varying presentations and risks
Applying to practice
- integrating knowledge into clinical work
- supporting recovery through nourishment and awareness
- prioritising client safety and best outcomes
Presenter
Holly Stone
BSc, HPD, DSFH, SFBT(Hyp), NCP (Accred), SFBT Sup(Hyp)
www.hollystonehypnotherapy.co.uk
Holly is a Solution Focused Hypnotherapist, holding the Hypnotherapy in Practice Diploma (HPD), and is a Master Practitioner in Eating Disorders, with additional qualifications in CBTi (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia). She trained with CPHT Surrey (formerly Guildford) and is now the Senior Lecturer for CPHT Hampshire, where she also provides professional supervision to other therapists.
Holly has a specialist interest in working with disordered eating and eating disorders and holds the Master Practitioner Certification in Eating Disorders and Obesity through the National Centre for Eating Disorders. Within her clinical practice, over 80% of the clients she supports present with a poor relationship with food, providing her with extensive applied experience in this area.
Her interest in this field is both professional and personal, having been shaped by her experience supporting her daughter through a diagnosis of anorexia. This led to a deepening of her clinical focus and the subsequent development of the PEACE Programme, a structured, solution-focused programme designed to support individuals – particularly in midlife – in developing a calmer, healthier and more balanced relationship with food and themselves.
Reviews
"I think that Eating disorders CPD with Holly was absolutely phenomenal. It was so informative and helped fill in the gaps as well as provide so much needed training to ensure the best care for your clients. Holly was very thorough and yet very approachable and welcomed questions and discussions throughout the day which in itself was very helpful for everyone who attended. Her professionalism and extensive experience on the subject of eating disorders shone throughout the day."
"I strongly think that this CPD should be on regular CPD rotation and I have no doubt that every SFH practitioner will benefit immensely from attending it. I have already recommended this CPD to many of my supervisees."
"The course has honestly been invaluable."
"Just attended the Eating Disorder CPD today run by Holly Stone and it was very informative, interactive and a definite asset to our toolbox as Solution Focused Hypnotherapists. Please keep this going."
Booking
This CPD is for Solution-Focused Hypnotherapists, graduates of CPHT.