Working with People with Eating Disorders and Body Dysmorphia (ref. D9)
This is the only course on Eating Disorders and Body Dysmorphia in the British Isles which is based on a psychodynamic frame of reference.
This course is designed for experienced professionals working with patients with eating disorders or feeding difficulties in a variety of settings. The approach adopted is based on the thoughtful application of psychoanalytic principles and ideas. Students are expected to be working with one or more of the models suggested in NICE guidelines.
The symptoms of the eating disorder are considered in terms of the underlying difficulties the patient has or has had in making relationships. Continuities between past and present, infant and adult experience are observed and explored. Attention is paid to trauma and anxiety in early stages of life.
Who is this course for?
The course will be of particular interest to doctors, psychotherapists, psychologists, social workers, dieticians, nurses, and others who work in specialist eating disorder services for children, adolescents and adults.
Aims
- To enable students to reflect on the dynamic relationships with their patients, and to become more aware of their own feelings and the role these play in the work.
- To examine their own defences, as well as those of colleagues and institutions, when faced with the reality of young chronic patients who engender feelings of helplessness and despair.
- To offer theoretical input which may stimulate further thought and suggest new ways of understanding.
- To work towards the integration of new ideas by the detailed discussion of actual working situations.
- To understand the importance of early experience in later attitudes to food and eating.
- To tease out some of the unconscious meanings and associations of food and eating and to consider how these might help in the understanding of the psychopathology of eating disorders.
Structure of the programme
The course consists of three elements:
- The Clinical Seminar
- The Theoretical Seminar
- Work Discussion/Observation Seminar
The Clinical Seminar
Year 1 and 2
The clinical seminars consist of a presentation of a piece of interactive work. This is discussed and used as a springboard for formulating hypotheses on its meaning, based on a psychoanalytic frame of reference. The work can be with an individual, family, group or institution.
The Theoretical Seminar
Year 1 and 2
The theoretical seminar consists of a weekly discussion of a set theoretical text. It aims to acquaint students with the major theoretical contribution and debates within the field of eating disorders.
Work Discussion/Observation Seminar
Year I and 2
Working in small groups, students in turn, present a detailed account of a piece of work from their own work setting. This should include the writers' own actions and comments as well those of patients, family of patients and/or colleagues. The group use the presentations to study the quality of emotional interaction between worker,
patient, or family, colleagues and institution.
The Dissertation
All candidates for the award of Masters Degree undertake a dissertation. This is completed during the year following completion of the taught units 1,2 and 3.
Course Readings and Access to Library Resources
When you begin your course you will be issued with an online study pack which you can access via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Moodle. Having a study pack means most of your key course readings for the whole year will be available to you simply by logging onto your Moodle course page. You can then print off the readings as you require them. Our students find this resource invaluable and it means you can have 24/7 access to your readings. Readings that are not included in your study pack can be obtained from the Library once you have enrolled with the Library at the end of September.
The Tavistock and Portman Library is nationally recognised as a leading UK therapeutic resource. For more information about our library follow the link www.tavi-port.org/library
Closing date
26th June (late applications may be considered).
Time commitment
The course runs on Thursdays, 11.30am -4.00pm.
Accreditation
The award of Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and/or MA by the University of East London.
At completion of the course students can become members of the Tavistock Society of Psychotherapy and Allied Professions, section Allied Professions.
Grants may be available for applicants working with Adolescents to cover half of the fee.
Other centres of study
Florence (Ref. D9F)
