What do I say next? Practical counselling skills for dietitians working with eating disorders

About this event

Presenters: Kate Lane and Lauren Pearson

Abstract: Dietitians play a key role in the treatment of eating disorders, yet many of us feel underprepared for the complex counselling conversations required in practice. Working with eating disorders requires far more than just providing nutrition advice and many dietitians, especially in the early years, find themselves asking: what do I say next? Conversations about food, weight, and behaviour change can quickly become complex, emotionally charged, and clinically challenging. 

This interactive workshop focuses on building confidence and skills in nutrition counselling for dietitians supporting those with eating disorders across the care continuum. Participants will learn practical counselling strategies to enhance communication skills and engagement to build therapeutic rapport, respond to common challenges, and support sustainable behaviour change. 

Through guided exercises, real-world scenarios, interactive exercises, case discussions, and reflection, participants will build confidence in their ability to have meaningful and effective nutrition counselling conversations.
Key Topics Covered:

• Navigating safety, boundaries and self-care for yourself and your clients.
• Person-centred counselling and motivational interviewing in the eating disorder treatment context. 
• Trauma-informed dietetic practice. 
• Cultivating an effective therapeutic relationship. 

 

TARGET AUDIENCE: This workshop is targeted towards early career clinicians, new graduates, those new to eating disorder treatment or commencing eating disorder work in private practice and students in the final year of their dietetic training program

Kate Lane (APD, CEDC-D) is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian and Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician who has also completed a Graduate Certificate in Counselling. Throughout her career working in eating disorders, Kate has developed a nutrition counselling approach grounded in human-centred and trauma-informed practice, with the therapeutic relationship placed at the heart of delivering effective dietetic care. Kate embraces complexity as a natural part of both the human experience and the provision of health care. She is passionate about supporting dietitians to develop a sustainable, fulfilling clinical practice when working with people experiencing eating disorders and other mental health concerns. She works in private practice and part-time with the Queensland Eating Disorder Service.

Lauren Pearson (APD, CEDC-D) is a proud descendent of Dharawal and Yuin nations. She is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian and Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician with a Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Counselling. Lauren has been providing holistic, trauma-informed, and authentic dietetic care for patients with eating disorders in inpatient, private, and community settings for a decade. She is passionate about centring the relationship and prioritising the humanness in her work, and is always talking about the importance of boundaries, safety, and self-care. Ever curious, Lauren is now completing her PhD at The University of Queensland on nutrition outcomes in eating disorder treatment and works at the NEDC as a project lead focusing on eating disorder support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Workshop Pricing:
ANZAED Members: $295.00 | Non-Members: $360.00

This workshop will be held online. A Zoom link will be sent to your email 24 hours prior to the Workshop.