RECORDING: Beyond Fear and Shame: Enhancing Understanding and Communication with Neurodivergent Clients Experiencing Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating
 
 
Join Sarah Parker for this crucial session designed to provide insights into the often hidden needs of clients with eating disorders from a neurodivergent perspective. Sarah Parker, an accredited counsellor, coach, and passionate educator, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this training, with a background in relational counselling, ACT, Compassion Focused Therapy, and EMDR.
 
The course aims to help participants gain understanding of the inner world of neurodivergent clients with eating disorders to facilitate more collaborative, open dialogue and effective support. Sarah will share her lived experience of treatment within services, what she deeply wanted people to know, and her experience of working with clients, particularly neurodivergent clients who have experienced trauma within treatment.
 
Participants will explore the concept of shame, including its definition, psychological impact, and how it manifests emotionally and behaviourally. Sarah will discuss the role of compassion as an antidote to shame, highlighting the importance of empathic listening, creating a safe, non-judgemental space, and adopting a collaborative and empowering approach in therapy. The session will also cover how to provide emotional support and encouragement while understanding and addressing shame.
 
Sarah will introduce animal metaphors to support therapists in understanding their roles, using examples such as the Terrier, Ostrich, Kangaroo, Rhino, Dolphin, and St Bernard.
 
The workshop will take participants on a journey through the experiences of fear and shame that clients face, from their initial appointment to recovery. Topics covered will include the setup and atmosphere of the room, language and body language used, expectations, diagnosis and terminology, and the health professional's style of communication. Sarah will discuss the nuances of treatment, such as interpreting a client’s relationship with their plate, seeing beyond the illness, compliance with treatment, and the impact of group settings. She will also address the importance of treatment modality and choice, the need for control, the focus on weight, and the positives clients might perceive in staying the same. Additional topics include the dynamics of punishing others versus forgiving, and fears related to losing care or love.
As the workshop progresses towards recovery, participants will explore what recovery means for clients, the role of weighing scales, nurturing the emerging human, and the challenges of leaving treatment and care. Sarah will also discuss managing the fear of abandonment, the risk of relapse towards the end of care, safely exploring endings, and maintaining realism in therapy.
This workshop is an invaluable resource for mental health professionals, counsellors, and educators seeking to enhance their understanding and skills in supporting neurodivergent clients with eating disorders.
 
 
Who Should Attend:
Mental health professionals
Counsellors
Educators
 
Trainers:
Sarah Parker – Accredited Counsellor and Coach
 
Please Note: This listing is for the recording only. You will receive login details to access the online platform where the training recording can be viewed.
 
If you have any questions about the course content or entry requirments, please contact team@neddetraining.co.uk or call 01892 546773