Using Exposure and Response Prevention in the Treatment of Co-Occurring Eating Disorder and OCD

This presentation will review the use of Exposure and Response prevention in the treatment of co-occurring eating disorders and OCD. Effective treatment strategies such as building exposure hierarchies, addressing ineffective reassurance and accommodation, and assessing and monitoring nutritional stability will be discussed. Case studies will be shared for the purpose of exploring examples of these treatments.

Learning Objectives:

Following this presentation, participants will be able to:

1. Identify the similarities and differences in symptomatology between eating disorders and OCD.
2. Utilize effective assessment strategies for diagnostic clarification and treatment planning.
3. Recognize treatment interventions and clinical considerations to effectively treat the co-occurrence of eating disorders and OCD.

Lissette Cortes PsyD CEDS (she/her) Bio:

Lissette Cortes is a Licensed Psychologist and Certified Eating Disorders Specialist in Florida and founder of Compassionate Healing Institute specializing in the treatment of comorbid OCD and eating disorders. Dr. Cortes is a Cognitive-Behavioral therapist by training and specializes in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). She is a Health At Every Size (HAES)-aligned clinician and practices from a size-inclusive and diet-rejecting perspective incorporating Intuitive Eating principles. Dr. Cortes incorporates self-compassionate practice into her work as well as ACT principles. She is on the board of iaedp South Florida Chapter for eating disorders professionals and is president of Florida Psychological Association Palm Beach Chapter.

Katie Jeffrey, MS, RDN, CSSD (she/her) Bio:

Katie Jeffrey is a registered dietitian nutritionist, a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Nutrition, a Licensed Be Body Positive Facilitator, and the co-leader of IOCDF’s Eating Disorders & OCD Special Interest Group. As a weight-neutral and Health at Every Size (HAES) dietitian nutritionist, Katie promotes a non-diet, mindful, and intuitive eating and fueling philosophy. Katie is passionate about increasing mental health awareness, especially around eating disorders and OCD, to help others receive effective treatment and support in a timely manner. Through her personal experiences and passion for mindful and intuitive living, fueling, and eating, Katie’s mission is to empower individuals to honor their inner wisdom, make peace with food, feel comfortable in their body, cultivate a nourishing self-care practice, and enjoy a lifetime of physical and emotional resiliency. She enjoys working with individuals to bring greater awareness, curiosity, and compassion to their food choices, eating behaviors, thoughts, and feelings so they can nourish their bodies and minds and thrive.