APA Clinician's Corner: The Food Pollution/Addiction Model for Treating Eating Disorders and Obesity: A Systems Approach

The APA Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP) offers monthly Clinician’s Corner workshops which are held at the APA building (750 First St. NE, Washington, D.C.) and webcast live throughout the country. These three-hour workshops feature leading practitioners and scholars working in key areas of professional practice. Whether attending the workshop on-site or online, participants have the opportunity to interact with the presenter. All workshops include CE credits.

The Food Pollution/Addiction Model for Treating Eating Disorders and Obesity: A Systems Approach

Time: 1-4 p.m.

CE credits: 3

Obesity is epidemic and eating disorders are proliferating, reaching younger children, older women and more men. Likewise, the complications for both populations are becoming more severe. There is a connection. The food supply in the U.S. is polluted. Treatment that does not take into consideration the impact that polluted food has on the onset and progression of disordered eating will fail. This workshop outlines the empirical data and provides examples of how effective an addiction model can be in treating disorders that are generally refractory to treatment.

This workshop is designed to help you:

1. Explain the mechanism for food addiction.

2. Specify the role polluted food plays in bulimia, anorexia, bulimarexia and obesity.

3. Recognize the difference between clean vs. polluted food and develop a treatment plan.

Presenter: J. Renae Norton, PsyD

About the presenter: Dr. Norton became interested in the treatment of eating disorders while still in graduate school. Her primary areas of expertise during her doctoral training were family systems theory and neuro-psychology. She obtained her PsyD from Wright State University School of Professional Practice and began her practice in 1985 after doing her residency in clinical psychology at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. Over the years her reputation as the go to therapist for the toughest eating disorder cases has spread to other states and professionals around the country. Presently, she offers the only alternative to inpatient treatment in cases where the individual is suffering from a severe case of anorexia, bulimia or a combination of the two.

Live webcast and on-site workshop fees: Member: $65; Nonmember: $80

How to Enroll

Live webcast only: 

• Enroll online 

On-site only:

• By telephone: (800) 374-2721, ext. 5991 or (202) 336-5991 (within D.C. Metropolitan area); 9 a.m.–5 p.m., EST. Pay by credit card only (AMEX, MC or VISA). 

• By fax: (202) 336-6151: Pay by credit card only; must have valid signature and expiration date (AMEX, MC or VISA). 

• By mail: APA Accounting/CEP Office, Clinician’s Corner Enrollment, 750 First St. NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242.

The enrollment form will be accepted only with one of the following forms of payment: check, money order or valid credit card. Checks should be made payable to "American Psychological Association."

On-site enrollment limit: 35 (Space is limited; sign up now.)

Enrollment form (PDF, 213KB)