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In Person

REDs: Dietitian and Behavioral Health Collaborative Care for Under-Fueling in Athletes

Heather Petraszko MS, RDN, LD
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Information

Date & Time

Location

Description

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs), formally known as the Female Athlete Triad, presents a complex clinical intersection of athletic pressure, physiological under-fueling, and psychological distress. While dietary treatment is managed by dietitians, behavioral health clinicians play a critical role in identifying the behavioral, psychological, and systemic drivers of under-fueling, such as obsessive perfectionism and compulsive exercise. This intermediate-level workshop equips dieticians and behavioral health providers with the evidence-based screening tools to identify REDs indicators, apply behavioral interventions to address athletic eating pathologies, and work within an interdisciplinary care team alongside dietitians and medical providers to facilitate a safe return to sport.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Describe at least three clinical, behavioral, and psychological effects of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) on an athlete’s health and psychological well-being.

  • Identify at least three psychosocial risk factors (such as perfectionism, high-performance athletic pressure, or gender-specific stressors) associated with the development of REDs.

  • Explain at least three evidence-based behavioral health strategies or interdisciplinary referral protocols to support the collaborative treatment of REDs in athletes.

Educational Goal

The educational goal of this workshop is to strengthen participants' clinical ability to recognize the behavioral and psychological indicators of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) in athletes, implement evidence-based behavioral health interventions, and coordinate interdisciplinary care plans alongside medical and nutritional experts.

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Dietitian
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Nurse
  • Physician
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Heather Petraszko MS, RDN, LD
Heather Petraszko, MS, RDN, LD (she/her), is the Executive Director of Cleveland Residential, The Emily Program's adult residential eating disorder site in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. In her role, Heather oversees all clinical and operational functions of the facility’s residential programming, ensuring exceptional around-the-clock care for our clients. Heather has worked in the fields of nutrition and eating disorders for the past 15 years and began her career at The Emily Program as a Registered Dietitian. She has worked with clients in multiple levels of eating disorder care, including residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient. Heather holds a bachelor's degree in Dietetics and a master's degree in Community Health Education. Throughout her career, Heather has been dedicated to advancing high-quality, evidence-based treatment for individuals recovering from eating disorders. Heather is passionate about fostering a supportive environment where clients and staff alike can thrive, grow, and heal together. In her free time, Heather enjoys travelling, spending time with her family across the United States and Canada, reading, and rowing.

Financially Sponsored By

  • The Emily Program