About this course

Learning Objectives

• Describe how therapeutic alliance contributes to group cohesion.
• List at least two ways smart phone mobile apps can enhance virtual treatment of eating disorders.
• Identify at least three important ethical considerations in telemental care.

Learning Levels

• Intermediate
• Advanced

Course Instructor(s)

• 

  Deborah Michel, PhD in Clinical Psychology, CEDS-C, FAED

  Dr. Michel is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 30 years of experience in the treatment of eating disorders and related conditions. She is a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist Consultant and an elected Fellow in the Academy for Eating Disorders (AED). She has been involved in prevention, education, and advocacy efforts throughout her career.

  In 2008, Dr. Michel founded and directed The Woodlands Eating Disorders Center in The Woodlands, Texas. She partnered with Eating Recovery Center in 2015 to expand the scope of services in the greater Houston area and later opened Pathlight Mood and Anxiety Center. She has served as a Regional Clinical Director, South Region, and is currently the National Clinical Director of Virtual Services.

  Dr. Michel presents educational lectures to professionals, schools, and the general community. She founded eating disorder post-doctoral psychology fellowship programs in her region as well as programs for psychiatry fellows in the Texas Medical Center. She publishes articles on eating disorders in professional journals as well as in community magazines, has written book chapters on eating disorders, and co-authored the book, When Dieting Becomes Dangerous: A Guide to Understanding Anorexia and Bulimia. Dr. Michel maintains her status as a clinical faculty member at Tulane University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She is a founding member and Past-President of Houston Eating Disorders Specialists. She has served on the AED Medical Care Standards Committee as a member and advisor. She was also past Co-Chair of AED's Advocacy and Communications Committee. Dr. Michel is also a member of The International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP) and American Psychological Association (APA) in addition to other professional organizations

• 

  Kristie Simmons, MS, RD, CEDS-C

  Kristie Simmons is the Nutrition Director of Virtual Services at Eating Recovery Center (ERC). Based in Denver, CO, Kristie has supported multiple ERC facilities nationwide since 2012, working with both child/adolescent and adult populations across various levels of care. In 2017, she played a key role in developing the nutrition program for Virtual Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) and has since led the expansion of the Virtual Services team from 2 to over 20 dietitians. Kristie is responsible for designing evidence-based curriculum and virtual nutrition treatment protocols for a wide range of diagnoses and age groups.

  A Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian and Approved Supervisor through IAEDP, Kristie is dedicated to mentoring new RDs in developing clinical skills and pursuing certification in eating disorder care. She is passionate about helping individuals heal their relationship with food, exercise, and body image, guiding her team to empower patients to use health as a foundation for a meaningful life. Kristie frequently speaks at conferences on topics related to nutrition, eating disorders, and telebehavioral health treatment.

References

• Forsyth, D. R. (2021). Recent advances in the study of group cohesion. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice, 25(3), 213. https://doi.org/10.1037/gdn0000163
• Haidous, M., Tawil, M., Naal, H., & Mahmoud, H. (2021). A review of evaluation approaches for telemental health programs. International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice, 25(2), 195-205.
• Weinberg, H. (2021). Obstacles, challenges, and benefits of online group psychotherapy. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 74(2), 83-88. doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20200034