6th Annual Conference: Post-Conference Instructional Institute Center for Mindfulness, University of Mass., Worcester, MA

Sunday, April 13, 2008 8:00-4:00 $150- includes breakfast and lunch. CEUs available.

Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training (MB-EAT): An Introduction to Basic Concepts, Research and Clinical Application
Jean Kristeller, PhD and Char Wilkins, LCSW

Abstract

This institute is intended for professionals who want to apply mindfulness approaches to treating obesity and related disorders. The institute will provide an introduction to the MB-EAT program, along with several variations designed for specific populations (adolescents, children and parents, bariatric surgery populations), but the primary emphasis will be on understanding how mindfulness practices can be effectively adapted to addressing behavioral and mind-body disregulation syndromes. This institute will introduce the conceptual background, research evidence and treatment components of the 12-session MB-EAT program, which promotes self-awareness of eating-related experience, internalization of control, and self-acceptance. An overview of our NIH-clinical trials will be presented; in our research to date, the MB-EAT program produced significant improvement in eating behavior and mood, with the amount of improvement and weight loss directly related to degree of meditation practice reported. The first third of the program will provide an overview of the theoretical and conceptual basis for MB-EAT, which is grounded in an integration of basic principles of mindfulness mediation and food intake processes. This will be followed by an overview of the treatment program elements, along with experiential work with mindful eating practice; lunch will serve as an expanded practice experience. Small group discussion of both personal experiences and appropriate applications will follow. Further experiential work will include guided meditations used in the program (e.g., forgiveness and wisdom meditations), and small and large group discussions of practice issues. Handouts, bibliographic materials and video clips will supplement the presentation. Dr. Kristeller is the founder and developer of MB-EAT, with over 20 years of experience in applying mindfulness meditation to this population. Char Wilkins, LCSW, has been using MB-EAT for 5 years with individuals with a range of eating disorders.