Open help menu
In Person
Arkansas Eating Disorder Summit

The Intersection of Trauma and Eating Disorders: Understanding Trauma's Role in the Development, Maintenance, and Recovery of Eating Disorders

Brittney Greer, LPC-MHSP, NCC
|

Pricing

Information

Date & Time

Description

This presentation explores the intersection of trauma and eating disorders, with a focus on how trauma may contribute to the development, maintenance, and recovery process of eating disorders. Participants will examine the complex relationship between trauma exposure and eating disorder symptoms, including the roles of emotion regulation, shame, control, dissociation, disrupted interoception, and body-related distress. The presentation will also explore how eating disorder behaviors may function as strategies for managing or avoiding trauma-related distress and how these patterns can reinforce the ongoing cycle of the disorder. Finally, participants will consider the implications of trauma during eating disorder recovery, including the importance of stabilization, safety, and trauma-informed care. The course emphasizes a nuanced understanding of trauma as one potential contributing factor in eating disorders rather than a universal or singular cause.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Identify at least three key mechanisms through which trauma may increase vulnerability to the development of eating disorders, including emotion dysregulation, shame, disrupted interoception, dissociation, and difficulties related to control and body experience.

  • Explain how eating disorder behaviors may function as strategies for regulating, avoiding, or coping with trauma-related distress and how short-term relief can contribute to the maintenance of eating disorder symptoms.

  • Describe how trauma-related symptoms may influence the eating disorder recovery process and identify trauma-informed principles that support safety, stabilization, autonomy, and effective treatment engagement.

Educational Goal

The educational goal of this workshop is to increase participants’ understanding of the complex relationship between trauma and eating disorders, including how trauma may influence eating disorder development, contribute to the maintenance of symptoms, and impact the recovery process.

Target Audience

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

Presenters

Brittney Greer, LPC-MHSP, NCC
Brittney Greer, LPC-MHSP, NCC, is the Founder and Executive Director of Haven of Hope Eating Disorder Care Center and has more than 10 years of experience specializing in the treatment of eating disorders across levels of care. She previously served as Haven of Hope’s Executive Clinical Director and has experience in clinical program development, leadership, and the treatment of complex eating disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. Brittney earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Mississippi State University and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Alabama, with a specialization in Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor–Mental Health Service Provider (LPC-MHSP) and Board Qualified Supervisor in Tennessee, is EMDR trained, has completed Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 1 training and is pursuing Level 2 training, and is currently pursuing certification as a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist (CEDS). Her clinical work has focused extensively on the intersection of eating disorders, trauma, attachment, and co-occurring mental health conditions. Her experience spans direct clinical care, supervision, program development, and leadership within higher levels of eating disorder treatment.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Acadia Healthcare Treatment Placement Specialists® (TPS)