Overview
Series: Weight Management.
This 7-part webinar series is suitable for Psychologists looking to begin, develop, or refine their stills in the emerging field of the psychology of weight management. The seven webinars on the topic of Weight Management are:
1. Introduction to applied psychology of eating, weight, and body-image
The public and other health practitioners alike are beginning to acknowledge the value of psychologists in the treatment of people who experience eating, weight and body image concerns, which are becoming more prevalent in today’s society. This webinar supports psychologists to effectively and successfully develop a practice specialty in this emerging field.
2. Foundations for success
Balance weight loss and non-diet approaches with an applied goal-setting framework that de-emphasises weight loss and incorporates holistic client goals and values.
3. Mindset for transformation
Help clients develop 7 Key Mindsets for lasting weight management success with engaging and focused psychological skills training.
4. Naturally healthy habits
Help clients understand the ineffectiveness of weight focused dieting and develop intuitive eating and enjoyable physical activity habits with non-dieting principles.
5. Freedom from emotional eating
Help clients understand the origin and development of their emotional eating habits, and systematically explore and develop healthier coping strategies.
6. Love your body healthy
Help clients understand the factors that develop and maintain body dissatisfaction and preoccupation, and systematically develop media literacy, social support, mindfulness, and cognitive-behavioural skills to develop body satisfaction, acceptance, and even love.
7. Tying it all together
Consolidation of learning by applying the research, theories, and techniques you have learned to a real-life case study. Discussion on case formulation, selection of treatment approach, and implementation of chosen intervention.
Level of Learning
Foundational. This activity is targeted to those new to the topic.
Duration of access
Access to this activity is for 12 months from the date of confirmed registration.
APS CPD-Approved
This activity has been assessed against the APS Standards for CPD activities and approved for its education quality.
Learn more about the APS CPD Approval process
CPD Frequently Asked Questions
Refer to the APS CPD Frequently Asked Questions for general and technical information when undertaking APS Professional development activities.
Activity details
Learning Outcomes
Psychologists will be able to begin, develop, or refine their skills in the emerging field of the psychology of weight management.
Upon completion of each activity, participants should be able to:
1. Introduction to applied psychology of eating, weight, and body-image
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outline current research on the effectiveness of various behavioural, psychological, and surgical approaches to weight management,
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understand, and explain, the role of the psychologist in enhancing the outcomes of traditional treatments, minimising harm associated with common weight loss approaches, and providing innovative evidence-based interventions, and
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self-reflect on the treatment environment, therapist factors, and the forming of interdisciplinary teams and referral networks to provide optimal client outcomes and improve practice success.
2. Foundations for success
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outline relevant research on the relative ineffectiveness, and potential harm, of current behavioural approaches to weight loss,
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introduce the application of Goal Setting to the weight management paradigm, including setting realistic weight management and holistic health goals using the “Whole Person” goal-setting approach, and
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introduce the incorporation of values into goal setting for weight management.
3. Mindset for transformation
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outline relevant research on the effectiveness of behaviour therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and mindfulness-based therapy for weight management,
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provide an outline of the application of current psychological skills to developing mindfulness, motivation, adaptive thinking, balance, patience, resilience, and self-efficacy in the weight management paradigm, and
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explore how to tailor psychological skills to the presenting client and engage clients to develop adaptive psychological skills.
4. Naturally healthy habits
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outline relevant research on the long-term ineffectiveness and potential harm of common weight-focused behavioural approaches and the potential alternative of non-dieting approaches,
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explore the theory and application of the Circle of Healthy Eating; a non-dieting framework for developing intuitive and mindful eating abilities, and
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introduce an evidence-based exercise psychology framework for physical activity enjoyment and adherence.
5. Freedom from emotional eating
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outline relevant theory and research on emotional eating, and its relationship with psychological wellbeing and weight management outcomes,
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introduce theory and application of the Balloon Model; a practical framework for overcoming emotional eating, and
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explore how current behavioural, cognitive-behavioural, and mindfulness techniques can be adapted to help clients develop non-food coping strategies.
6. Love your body healthy
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explore weight stigma, bias, and discrimination, and body dissatisfaction and preoccupation in the current environment,
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overview relevant research on the development of body image issues and their effect on psychological wellbeing, eating, physical activity, and weight management, and
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introduce the application of focused media literacy training and intervention, social support and communication strategies, mindfulness techniques, and cognitive behavioural skills to improve body-image.
7. Tying it all together
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cohesively apply the principles and techniques of the psychology of eating, exercise, weight, and body-image with a range of clients,
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formulate client cases and select appropriate and evidence-based interventions based on relevant information, and
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work with complex client factors and problem-solve common barriers to effective treatment.