Disordered Eating
LEVEL
Professional Development
AWARD
PCI College Certificate of Attendance
COURSE STATUS
Open for Applications
DURATION
1
day(s)
Full-Time
DELIVERY
Online
COMMENCEMENT DATE
20 Jun 2026
LOCATIONS
Online
Disordered eating is a complex and often misunderstood challenge that requires a nuanced, compassionate and well-informed therapeutic response.
This PCI College workshop provides a comprehensive grounding for practitioners to move beyond myths and stigma, offering the clarity and professional insight needed to recognise early warning signs and support clients on their journey toward recovery. By engaging with this course, you will develop the specialised expertise required to navigate the delicate intersection of psychological, emotional, and cultural factors that underpin eating difficulties.
Who is this course for?
This workshop is designed for counsellors, psychotherapists, and helping professionals who wish to enhance their ability to support individuals struggling with complex eating-related issues.
- Counsellors & Therapists: Gain the essential diagnostic understanding and therapeutic techniques to work effectively with disordered eating.
- Helping Professionals: Social workers, youth workers, and healthcare staff can improve their ability to recognise symptoms and facilitate appropriate referrals.
- Students in Training: Build a foundational understanding of eating disorders early in your career to become a more inclusive and competent practitioner.
- Existing Practitioners: Refresh your knowledge with evidence-based approaches and learn to manage the professional boundaries and multidisciplinary collaboration required in this field.
What are the benefits of doing this course?
Participating in this training empowers you to become a more effective advocate and support system for clients whose relationship with food and body image is causing distress.
- Clinical Clarity: Move from uncertainty to confidence by understanding the diagnostic criteria and the spectrum of disordered eating.
- Early Intervention: Enhance your ability to identify physical, behavioural, and emotional indicators, potentially preventing more severe health consequences.
- Collaborative Care: Learn the vital importance of multidisciplinary working and how to coordinate effectively with other healthcare professionals.
- Ethical Practice: Deepen your understanding of professional boundaries, ethical guidelines, and the role of self-care when working with high-complexity cases.
What will you learn?
This course balances theoretical knowledge with practical skills to ensure you are equipped to support clients safely and effectively.
- Core Understanding: An in-depth exploration of various types of disorders (e.g., Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating) and their diagnostic features.
- Underlying Factors: Examining the complex interplay of psychological, social, cultural, and environmental influences that contribute to disordered eating.
- Signs & Symptoms: Training in how to identify physical, behavioural, and emotional warning signs for early detection.
- Evidence-Based Approaches: An overview of effective treatment modalities, including CBT, DBT, and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT).
- Professional Integration: Learning how to foster a collaborative support system, navigate multidisciplinary referrals, and maintain ethical boundaries.
Course Content
- Introduction to Disordered Eating; Overview of different types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and others.
- Causes and Risk Factors; Biological, genetic, and neurochemical factors contributing to the development of eating disorders. Psychological and emotional factors. Social and environmental influences. Cultural considerations and their impact on the development and expression of eating disorders.
- Signs and Symptoms; Physical indicators, Behavioural and psychological manifestations, Emotional and cognitive aspects, Identifying warning signs and early intervention strategies.
- Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches; Overview of evidence-based treatment modalities: cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), and interpersonal therapy (IPT).
- Multidisciplinary Care and Collaborative Approach; Engaging with other healthcare professionals, including dietitians, physicians, and psychiatrists.
- Therapeutic Interventions and Techniques; Establishing a therapeutic alliance and building trust.
- Ethical Considerations and Self-Care; Ethical guidelines and professional boundaries in the treatment of eating disorders.
Eligibility
This is a CPD workshop specifically designed for Counsellors & Psychotherapist or other helping professionals with therapeutic experience and students currently in professional training. BSc Counselling & Psychotherapy students in Years 1, 2, 3 and 4 of their studies are all invited to apply for this CPD workshop.
IT Skills
Students require sufficient IT skills to complete the course.
Additional Entry Requirements
Students can expect to be provided with advice and support concerning any learning difficulties that they may encounter. Any diagnosed learning difficulty, e.g. dyslexia, must be noted on the application.
Fees
Standard Rate: Applies to all non-affiliated participants.
PCI College Graduate: Discounted rate available for graduates of BSc Degree and Postgraduate programmes.
Current BSc/MSc Students & Alumni Members: Preferential rate available. Join our Alumni Group on LinkedIn to access this discount
Course Fees – Northern Ireland
Course Total