Each year ClearPath Center and the Upstate NY Eating Disorder Services (http://unyed.com) co-sponsor a one-day eating disorder conference in memory of Barbara’s daughter, who lost her life to anorexia in 2000.
The afternoon was devoted to experiential approaches in the treatment of eating disorders.
Clare Brown, Clinical Director at Solstone, the residential program at the Upstate NY Eating Disorder Services, gave us an overview of the various nonverbal/experiential modalities that are proving to be effective in treating eating disorders.
This year, by popular demand, we invited back Laura Hill, (photo on the left) the President and CEO of the Center for Balanced Living, who presented the keynote talk “Strength in Connections: from the Brain to Family and Friends.” Her presentation, as before, was memorable, especially because the content was continuously reinforced via audience participation. For many it was a relief to discover how much brain connections contribute to eating disorders and to hear what might be done in the future to correct these neurological malfunctions.
Carolyn Hodges Chaffee, (Photo on the right) Director of the UNYED Services, enlightened the audience about how food affects the body and its role in treatment. Dr. Sophia Bezirganian did the same regarding medication management. Finally, Jill Catherine, assisted by the drumming of Zane Seubert, told her recovery story through dance and drumming, a powerful ending to a most expansive day.
The purpose of these conferences since the first in 2000 has been to educate our community--professionals, clients and family members alike--with respect to eating disorders and their treatment. It is our hope that our annual one-day gatherings will continue to raise awareness of these powerful and life-threatening disorders and offer cutting edge information toward successful treatment.
