2017 International Conference on Eating Disorders

This month, EDCare had the privilege of attending the 2017 International Conference on Eating Disorders (ICED) in Prague, Czech Republic. This annual conference, presented by the Academy for Eating Disorders, is recognized as the premier annual conference for the International Eating Disorder Community. Attendees from around the world came together under this year´s theme: Diverse Perspectives, Shared Goals. This theme represents the importance of utilizing our different perspectives for the advancement of leading research, treatment options, education, and prevention in the field of eating disorders.

EDCare Nourishing Success

Representing EDCare at this year’s conference was our very own Clinical Director and Director of Clinical Research, Tamara Pryor, Ph.D., FAED.

With more than 30 years of experience working in the field of eating disorders, Dr. Pryor took the stage on June 8th to educate ICED attendees on the “Integrated Treatment for Traumatized Eating Disorder Patients with Substance Use Disorders”. Co-presenting with Dr. Pryor was, Dr. Amy Baker-Dennis, co-owner of Dennis & Moyer Associates. Dr. Baker-Dennis has specialized in the treatment of eating, mood and anxiety disorders for over 40 years. She is also a valued member of EDCare’s Scientific Advisory Board, comprised of prominent eating disorder specialists from across the country. These esteemed individuals help EDCare provide high-quality patient care by aiding our treatment center in the integration of clinical research into our empowerment based treatment model. They also offer their counsel and expertise on current or emerging issues related to the understanding and treatment of eating disorders.

Their ICED presentation on the “Integrated Treatment for Traumatized Eating Disorder Patients with Substance Use Disorders” revealed:

  • What we know about eating disorder patients with substance use disorders
  • What integrated treatment is and why we need it
  • Barriers in the treatment of dual diagnosed patients
  • Treatment outcome in eating disorder patients with and without substance use disorders
  • What we still need to figure out in the treatment of patients with eating disorders and substance use disorders.

Much of the material presented will be highlighted in a chapter of the Clinical Handbook of Complex and Atypical Eating Disorders, scheduled to be released and available for purchase in July 2017.

In addition to presenting, Dr. Pryor showcased an educational poster on the study of “Treatment Outcomes Comparing ED With and Without SUD”. This collaborative research study suggests the use of integrated treatment options for patients with both an eating disorder and substance use disorder would improve overall treatment delivery, reduce time in treatment, lessen consumer confusion, reduce overall treatment costs, and improve treatment outcomes.

EDCare is honored to work with Dr. Guido Frank who also sits on our Scientific Advisory Board. His Developmental Brain Research Team specializes in eating disorder studies at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and The Children’s Hospital Colorado. We are grateful for his support and positive impact on our patients’ recovery. His recent book, What Causes Eating Disorders – And What Do They Cause? is a valuable tool for educating family members on the science behind eating disorders.

This study was made possible through the efforts of Ian J. Palombo, MA, LPC-C (EDCare), Tamara Pryor, Ph.D., FAED (EDCare), and Megan Shott, BS (University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus).

Dr. Tamara Pryor and Dr. Amy Baker-Dennis

In addition to providing resources for this study, Dr. Frank’s research assistant Brogan Rossi, BS, also attended ICED with EDCare and presented during the neuroscience panel on “White Matter Connectivity Strength and Integrity in Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa across Taste Reward Pathways and During Weight Recovery”. This was Rossi’s first time attending and speaking at ICED.

Finally, we would like to recognize the accomplishments of our Scientific Advisory Board member Dr. Jennifer Gaudiani, founder of the Gaudiani Clinic, who received the ICED Fellow Status Award at this year’s conference. Congratulations Jen!

Brogan Rossi, BS presenting at 2017 ICED

Making a Difference

Both Dr. Pryor and Dr. Baker-Dennis are founding members of the Academy for Eating Disorders and have watched this annual event flourish from a few hundred attendees to over a thousand. As the field of eating disorders has grown, so has its diversity. Eating disorders are not only becoming recognized on an international level, but as a mental health issue affecting people of all ages, genders, races, ethnicities, body shapes and weights, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses. As experts in this field continue to emerge worldwide, we gain unique insights into the cultural differences eating disorder present and the need for individualized treatment options that encompass these variances.

It is with this in mind that EDCare strives to create an all-encompassing treatment facility dedicated to health and vitality of every patient who walks through our doors. We believe diversity is something to be celebrated and helping patients reconnect with their authentic self is our primary goal.

Dr. Pryor returned to EDCare enthusiastic about the success of the conference and eager to pass along the valuable information she gained. It is her hope to not only see EDCare staff members contribute to the advancement of this field by pursuing educational speaking opportunities and clinical research but also help EDCare become an internationally recognized treatment facility.