Exploring the value of psychodynamic theory and practice within eating disorders treatment

About this event

Workshop Overview: 

While psychodynamic psychotherapy has developed as an evidence-based treatment for eating disorders in it its own right, psychodynamic theory, thinking and practice is also applicable across models to enhance the efficacy and experience of therapy for the person experiencing the eating disorder, their family/supports, the clinician and the treatment team. It encourages us to delve into the universal human experience of facing challenges in life, how we cope, and the healing power of relationships and self-reflection.

This one day workshop will balance an exploration of psychodynamic theory, clinical material and unique experiential learning designed to enhance reflective practice and develop clinical process skills. We will include a brief summary of the development of some fundamental psychoanalytic concepts including Freud, Klein and Bion up to modern psychodynamic ideas and applications, including relational approaches. We will draw from key clinical papers, video and audio clips, and immersive tasks often involved in the learning and practice of psychodynamic psychotherapy, including infant observation and group case discussion. There will be time for you to think about how these ideas can be incorporated into your individual and workplace practice, regardless of your setting, the population you work with, or your level of experience.

Note: This workshop is aimed at participants both with simply an interest or curiosity in this type of work, or with a small to moderate degree of experience.

This workshop will be preferably held in-person in Sydney. However if most applicants prefer to attend online, the workshop will be held via Zoom. Preferences can be expresed during registration, and full refunds will apply beforehand if the final workshop modality (in Sydney or online) is unsuitable.  

Presenters:

Dr Annaleise Robertson (she/her) is a credentialed senior clinical psychologist who has worked within public health and tertiary institutes for over fifteen years, predominantly helping young people experiencing an eating disorder, their families, and the clinicians who support them. She has worked at  the Children’s Hospital at Westmead (2012-2023), the Maudsley Centre for Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders in London (2020-2021) and is now the co-program lead of the South Eastern Sydney Eating Disorders Clinical Support Team. She also supervised the Family Therapy clinic at the University of Sydney (2021-2022) and still lectures for postgraduate and undergraduate courses.

Annaleise provides regular education, training, supervision and consultation, including presenting conference workshops in Sydney, Melbourne, Prague, London and New York. Annaleise has provided consultation with the National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC), the Australia and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED) as a group supervisor, and is co-founder and co-chair of the ANZAED Psychodynamic Special Interest Group. She has done training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy, including completing two years of postgraduate training at the Tavistock Institute in London.

Jeremy Freeman is a clinical psychologist who has worked in public child, adolescent and family centres, and in private practice, managing a range of conditions including eating disorders. He has done training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and in psychoanalysis. He has a special interest in adapting psychodynamic ideas and practices to forms of practice that are not considered to be psychodynamic.