Equip

Cognitive dissonance: the notion that as humans, we want to maintain consistency between our beliefs, values, and actions. If you’re at all in the mental health world, you’re probably familiar with this term. But did you know cognitive dissonance can actually be a tool for positive change in eating disorder patients? Our newest blog explores innovative cognitive dissonance-based body image programs as a way to help eating disorder patients push back on unattainable appearance ideals. Here's a quick look at how that works: When there’s a conflict between our beliefs and actions, we experience an uncomfortable dissonance and seek out ways to reduce that conflict and return to a state of consistency. When leveraged correctly, this phenomenon can help eating disorder patients begin to act out new, more positive ideals around their body image, even if they don’t “believe” them, yet. Some tools for using this concept with patients include: • Walking through the cost of pursuing appearance ideals • Role playing talking someone else out of pursuing societal appearance ideals  • Writing a letter to their younger self • Challenging negative body talk • Exploring the DBT skill opposite action Read the full article to learn more about this concept, and how it’s being applied today: https://lnkd.in/g4mvMuac 

New week, new research! The latest from Equip’s research team delves into the expertise of those with lived experience, and how these invaluable insights can add to the growing body of work about eating disorder recovery. The research team highlighted three essential themes through a series of interviews conducted both with those with a personal eating disorder history and with caregivers: 1️⃣ Expansion: participants’ worlds got bigger as they explored who they were becoming and discovered new ways of living in line with their values.  2️⃣ Balance between support and autonomy: maintaining this equilibrium as essential for enabling change to occur across the recovery process.  3️⃣ Addressing systemic factors: actively pushing back against systemic factors like diet culture and weight stigma were pivotal for recovery. Read the full study here to learn more about what lived experience can illuminate about the treatment and recovery journey: https://lnkd.in/gyFd95GK

We're thrilled to share these upcoming events as part of our ongoing mission to build community with and for those affected by eating disorders. These workshops are open to the public and are a discussion-based format, so our hosts can answer your questions in real time. This month, caregivers will be able to ask eating disorder specialists Tanya Hargrave-Klein MS, RDN, LD, Carly Knauf, Psy.D., Ellen Ewing, and Jenni Gaines about what qualities in a treatment program are best to fit their loved one's needs. If you know any caregivers who would benefit from this resource, please pass it along. Register for the event here: https://lnkd.in/g2nkp5Sn

What are the best tools that providers are using TODAY to screen for eating disorders? This month's Equip Academy will be covering everything you need to know about early screening and detection for eating disorders. It will also discuss pros and cons of certain tools, and gaps in the research. Join this free event to grow your understanding of current screening tools and learn to catch eating disorders among your patients as early as possible. Never Miss a Diagnosis: Screening for Eating Disorders Dori Steinberg, PhD, RD, and Vice President of Research at Equip Tuesday, July 23rd at 9:30 am PT/ 12:30 pm ET The event will be 60 minutes, including time for Q&A. Attendance is open to everyone, and free CE/CME credits are available for those eligible. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gauFAy9k

Are you going to the 3rd annual BIPoC Eating Disorders Conference? This virtual conference for providers is an amazing opportunity to hear from leading experts in the eating disorder field. Earn CE credits and expand your knowledge on topics such as food insecurity, identity trauma, body image, and treatment barriers as they relate to eating disorders in BIPoC populations. Equip will be sponsoring the conference and speaking on two panels: the importance of lived experience and mentorship, and how to break down treatment barriers for BIPoC patients. Learn more about the conference and register to attend (from wherever you are) here: https://lnkd.in/gHT-sZCG

We’re proud to announce a new research article from Equip, presenting a framework for providing gender-affirming care (GAC) in an eating disorder treatment setting. This is the first time a protocol like this has ever been published. 🎉 Transgender and gender-expansive (TGE) individuals suffer from eating disorders at disproportionate rates. In an effort to combat this gap, Equip researchers provide a framework for the development and implementation of GAC protocol, including guidance on: 📌Language 📌Clinical documentation 📌Safety assessments 📌Medical and nutrition-related protocol 📌Working with patient families Our team believes the use of GAC principles has the potential to standardize practices, facilitate a higher quality of care delivery, and improve clinical outcomes for TGE individuals. Read the full paper to better understand the needs of TGE patients, and how to meet them: https://lnkd.in/gGzDkukh

We’re excited to share that we’re a sponsor of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners National Conference this year, happening June 25th-30th in Nashville, Tennessee! Nurse practitioners play an integral role in eating disorder treatment, and we’re eager to connect with you to hear about your experiences and pain points, share more about Equip and our treatment, and learn how we can best work together. Come visit us at Booth #1837! If you won’t be at the conference or don’t have time to stop by our booth, feel free to connect directly and we will get in touch: https://lnkd.in/gic_jrpq 

Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the U.S. And at the same time, the weight loss industry is booming — causing many to seek weight loss alongside BED treatment (which, spoiler alert, only exacerbates the eating disorder). So how are providers to effectively address the rising rates of BED in the age of GLP-1's? This month’s Equip Academy event dives into everything you should know about identifying and supporting patients with BED, and the importance of adopting a weight-neutral approach when doing so. Here are the details: The Complexity of Binge Eating Disorder: Treatment, Symptoms, and What a Weight-Neutral Approach Looks Like  👩🏫 Presented by Angela Celio Doyle, PhD, FAED, and VP of Behavioral Health Care at Equip 📅 Wednesday, June 26th at 9:30-10:30am PT Attendance is open to everyone, and free CE/CME credits are available for those eligible. Register now: https://lnkd.in/gXDEHB-r 

If you're in Las Vegas this week for AHIP's 2024 conference, be sure to catch Equip's Co-Founder and CEO Kristina Saffran at “At the Intersection of Mental Health & Addiction: The Power of Personal Stories to Drive Change” on Thursday, June 13 at 3:30 PM PT in the Lafite Ballroom at the Wynn Las Vegas. Along with Kristina, this panel will feature Stephen Smith, Co-Founder and CEO of NOCD, Ryan Hampton, Founder of Mobilize Recovery, Nzinga A. Harrison, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Co-founder of Eleanor Health, and Suzanne Kunis, CEO and Founder of NovaWell. This session will delve into the profound impact personal narratives can have in driving change across the mental health care landscape. Topics include: • How to leverage personal stories across advocacy and policy reform • Strategies for providing empathetic, inclusive, and effective care • Recommendations for addressing historical stigmas and barriers to treatment Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/gG23dnbc

We’re excited to share a special event happening ahead of Juneteenth in partnership with ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders) and Rock Recovery. Hear from a panel of experienced Black providers in the eating disorder field who will be sharing insights and advice for other BIPoC mental health professionals or students pursuing careers in the eating disorder field. Topics will include: 📌 The importance of BIPoC representation in treatment centers 📌 Barriers to entry (both into the field and to receiving care) 📌 Unique challenges faced by BIPoC individuals in the field The event will be moderated by Equip’s own Lead Peer Mentor, Makailah (Mak) Dowell (she/her) and will feature Equip’s Director of Therapy, Reggie Ash, LPCC-S. Join us for this 60 minute event on Tuesday, June 18th at 10:00am PST! Register for free here: https://lnkd.in/gg_xpqtB