Trauma-Informed Approaches to Eating Disorders Care Workshop
What does trauma-informed support look like when trauma and eating difficulties overlap?
We are delighted to welcome Dr Rachel Bryant-Waugh, Honorary Consultant Clinical Psychologist at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, as a featured speaker at this workshop. Dr Bryant-Waugh is a leading expert in eating disorders and is particularly recognised for her work in improving awareness, knowledge and understanding of ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), as well as advocating for better quality support and services for those affected.
Eating disorders and traumatic experiences can often overlap, impacting emotional wellbeing, coping strategies, relationships and recovery. For professionals, guidance is not always clear about which treatment approach to take, and for people with eating disorders and their families and friends this can mean variable experiences of support.
Through sessions bringing together lived experience speakers, clinicians, policy makers and researchers, including contributions from Dr Bryant-Waugh, this workshop will explore the role of trauma in the development of eating disorders, current policy and research, and what trauma-informed care looks like in practice. It will also examine the links between eating disorders, trauma and neurodivergence.
Attendees will gain an understanding of the evidence base alongside practical approaches that can be applied in real-world settings to better support people experiencing eating difficulties alongside traumatic experiences.
The event is designed for professionals across healthcare, education, social care, community services and the voluntary sector who want to build confidence in delivering compassionate, trauma-informed support and improving outcomes for those affected by eating disorders.
Workshop Details
- 📅 Date: 26 November 2026
- 🕜 Time: 1:30pm to 5:00pm
- 💻 Format: Live online workshop
- 📜 CPD Accredited
- 🎟️ Early Bird Price: £46
How the Workshop Works
- Attend online from anywhere
- Join via our online event platform
- No camera or microphone required
- Submit questions through the Q&A function
- Access the workshop recording for one month following the event
- Receive presentation slides and supporting resources (where available)
Are you supporting a loved one with ARFID? Visit our Eating Disorders Hub for Families and Friends for helpful information, resources and support.
Why This Workshop Matters
Trauma is a common experience among people affected by eating disorders, yet its impact is not always recognised or addressed in treatment and support. Understanding how trauma can influence eating disorder development, behaviours and recovery is essential for providing safe, effective and person-centred care. This workshop will help attendees build confidence in applying trauma-informed approaches, ensuring individuals receive support that is compassionate, empowering and responsive to their needs.
What You'll Learn
By the end of the workshop, delegates will be supported to:
- Understand the current evidence on the relationship between trauma and eating disorders.
- Recognise how trauma may influence eating disorder behaviours, presentations and recovery.
- Understand the role of emotional regulation, shame, risk and different coping mechanisms in the context of trauma and eating disorders.
- Understand current developments in trauma-informed policy, practice and research.
- Apply key principles of trauma-informed practice when supporting individuals affected by eating disorders.
- Identify practical ways to create safer, more supportive and person-centred interactions within their own role and setting.
Who should attend?
The event is relevant to those who work with and support people with eating disorders, including:
- Healthcare professionals who may interact with people with eating disorders, including those in eating disorder or mental health services (including CAMHS), primary care, and perinatal services.
- Counsellors, psychotherapists and psychologists
- Social workers and safeguarding professionals
- Education staff, including SENCOs, school and college wellbeing teams, and university support services
- Third-sector organisations supporting mental health, trauma and recovery
Please note that the programme is designed to appeal both to people working professionally in a field related to eating disorders and to those caring for a loved one with an eating disorder. Due to the programme content and the debates which will ensue, the event content may not be suitable for anyone living with an eating disorder and could be significantly triggering for some.
We're putting the finishing touches to the programme. Stay tuned for updates.
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