Trauma in Eating Disorder Recovery

About this event

Join EDFA to hear Sandi James talk about her personal journey with an eating disorder and a substance use disorder. Sandi will discuss the role of trauma in eating disorder recovery – how it keeps our loved ones stuck and how carers and families can support them to heal.

Sandi is a registered psychologist with more than 20 years’ experience working in mental health services, eating disorder treatment, addiction treatment, and trauma recovery. Her services are firmly based in harm reduction, HAES, and LGBTQ++ spaces and communities.
Her primary interest is in trauma recovery, with a particular focus on co-occurring presentations including substance use or food and compulsive exercise-related difficulties. With experience (and certifications) in these areas Sandi brings a client centred and inclusive approach to care.

– Treatment approaches are trauma-informed and from a harm reduction perspective, utilising evidence-based approaches, including:
– Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
– Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
– Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
– Family, Carer, and Support Network Recovery Coaching
– Sibling Support and Coaching
– iMove Program for Compulsive Exercise.

Sandi is a Certified Eating Disorder Recovery Coach with the Carolyn Costin Institute providing support and guidance with ‘in the moment’ challenges in eating disorder recovery.
She works with somatic and experiential therapies where this is relevant and appropriate. Treatment for compulsive exercise and exercise avoidance are also offered.
Sandi is also working towards her PhD, researching Eating Disorder treatment for individuals who also experience Substance Use Disorder or have experienced trauma.
Sandi also facilitates surf therapy for mental health and eating disorder recovery which has been found to effective in treating a range of mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.