Addressing Body Image in Treatment Differentiating Between Eating Disorders, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Date:  Friday, August 13, 2021

Time:  9:00am to 5:00pm EST

Cost:  $450.00 per person

Location:  Zoom (you will be sent an invitation with instructions prior to the workshop)

Workshop Description: It is not uncommon for adolescents and adults to identify body image as a chief complaint in their treatment. This typically manifests in the form of dissatisfaction and/or preoccupation. Navigating body image in treatment can be difficult as appearance-related ideals tend to vary based on age, gender, race, ethnicity, and popular culture. Clinicians may also find themselves questioning the etiology and maintenance of the body image concern as it relates to diagnosis and treatment. Determining whether it is a product of an eating disorder (ED), body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a critical first step to choosing the most appropriate evidence-based treatment intervention. While researchers specializing in such disorders have identified many useful interventions to improve body image concerns, the conceptualization and corresponding treatment plan varies across disorders. Specifically, interventions indicated in one disorder may be contraindicated in another. This presents as particularly challenging in clinical presentations wherein these disorders co-occur. This workshop will focus on how to differentiate between EDs, BDD, and OCD when body image concerns are present. Selected interventions will correspond to the empirically-supported cognitive-behavioral protocols for such disorders, and real-life case examples will be discussed.

CE Learning Objectives

At the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:

  1. Recognize the diagnostic overlap between EDs, OCD, and BDD
  2. Assess which disorder to prioritize in treatment when comorbidity is present
  3. Differentiate between the body image dissatisfaction presentation in EDs, OCD, and BDD, and identify the implications that this difference in presentation has on treatment planning
  4. Discuss when and how to modify ED treatment plans when the body image conceptualization overlaps with OCD or BDD
  5. Discuss when and how to modify ED treatment plans when body image is not a primary maintenance variable in eating pathology
  6. Identify when a body image concern manifests within OCD in the absence of and ED or BDD diagnosis
  7. Identify specific body image-related exposures targeted towards body neutrality (applicable to utilize in treatment across disorders)

About the Presenters

Dr. Jenna DiLossi is the co-founder and clinical director of the Center for Hope & Health, LLC., an outpatient treatment center located in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. She specializes in cognitive-behavioral treatment models for eating disorders, OCD, PTSD, phobias, other anxiety-related concerns. Dr. DiLossi is licensed as both a clinical psychologist and professional counselor in Pennsylvania with additional credentialing as a Diplomate CBT-Certified Therapist through the Academy of Cognitive & Behavioral Therapies. She also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Psychology at Saint Joseph’s University and a program facilitator at the Minding Your Mind Foundation. She obtained her doctoral degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her dissertation on “feeling fat,” weight-gain feedback, and perfectionism. Prior to completing her post-doctoral training at the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety through the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. DiLossi worked as a primary therapist at the Renfrew Center for 5 years, completed pre-doctoral placements at the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Cognitive Therapy, Drexel University’s Division of Neuropsychology, and Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems. Lastly, she obtained additional specialized training from the Centre for Research on Eating Disorders at the University of Oxford.

Melissa Harrison is the co-founder and director of operations of the Center for Hope & Health, LLC., and specializes in cognitive-behavior therapy. Practicing as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania, she obtained cutting-edge training in cognitive-behavioral models for eating disorders, OCD and PTSD. She obtained a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from West Chester University in 2011. Melissa worked as both a primary therapist and treatment team leader over the course of 4 years at the Renfrew Center. She has also received specialized certification and supervision in Cognitive-Behavior Therapy-Enhanced from the University of Oxford’s Centre for Research on Eating Disorders in addition to Prolonged Exposure and Exposure and Response Prevention from the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the University of Pennsylvania. Melissa has also completed a specialized CBT fellowship for a variety of disorders and clinical issues through the University of Pennsylvania at the Center for Cognitive Therapy and is Diplomate CBT-Certified Therapist through the Academy of Cognitive & Behavioral Therapies. Melissa is also an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Psychology at Temple University and a program facilitator at the Minding Your Mind Foundation.

Target Audience

This presentation is intended for mental health professionals, researchers, and graduate students. The instructional level of this presentation is intermediate.

Continuing Education

THE PHILADELPHIA BEHAVIOR THERAPY ASSOCIATION (PBTA) IS APPROVED BY THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION TO SPONSOR CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS.  PBTA MAINTAINS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROGRAM AND ITS CONTENT.  THIS PRESENTATION PROVIDES SIX AND A HALF (6.5) HOURS OF CE CREDITS FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS.

PBTA IS ALSO AN AUTHORIZED PROVIDER FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS FOR PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS, AND CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS LICENSED IN THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA - THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES SIX AND A HALF (6.5) HOURS OF CE CREDITS. 

In order to receive continuing education credits, participants must:

  • attend each hour of the workshop (no late arrivals or early departures)
  • complete a course evaluation

If both of these requirements are met, you will receive a continuing education certificate after the conclusion of the workshop.

Instructions for Submitting Application

Please find the registration form here.

Applications can be submitted via email as a Microsoft Word or PDF attachment to: sandraca@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Applicants will be notified of acceptance within one week of receipt of their application. Please do not make travel or other arrangements until your application is accepted.

Payment Information

  • Workshop fees are non-refundable after the application due date. Please note that payments will not be processed until after the application due date.
  • We can only accept credit card payments at this time (Discover, MasterCard, and Visa). Unfortunately, we do not accept American Express.

Webinar workshop requirements:

  • You must have utilities, internet service, phone service, and an appropriately private location at your home or office in order to ensure HIPAA compliance.
    • The private location should be free of noise and distractions. (If you are the parent of young children, appropriate child care arrangements must be in place.)
  • You must agree to attend each hour of the video conference and agree to use video of yourself during the video conference in order to track attendance.
  • You must agree not to copy or distribute workshop materials provided to you in the course of the workshop.
  • Since authentic patient audio/video may be utilized during the training, you must agree to abide by all applicable rules of confidentiality and HIPAA compliance, including but not limited to no audio or video-recording of the workshop in any form.

You will be asked to affirm the previous conditions and your agreement to them prior to the commencement of the workshop.


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