Professional Diploma in Eating Disorders, Body Image & Emotional Health
(LIVE ONLINE)
60 CPD POINTS

Course Format, Description, Learning Outcomes & Modules

Format: Live-online Lecturer Led Classes (Virtual-Classroom) via Zoom

Duration: 1 Evening Every Week 6pm to 9pm

Online Live Attendance: 30 Hours

Self-Directed Learning: 30 Hours

Total CPD Credits: 60 Credits

Assessment: Written Assignment +/- Viva Voca Assessment

Award: Accredited Professional Diploma

Course Accreditation:

• Professional Development Consortium

• Provider of Excellence

• CPD Standards Office

• Irish Counselling & Psychotherapy Association (ICPA)

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Course Description

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The Professional Diploma in Eating Disorders, Body Image & Emotional Health is designed for practitioners who wish to better understand the complex relationship between food, body image, emotions, and identity. The course provides a comprehensive overview of eating disorders and disordered eating, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, avoidant/restrictive intake, and subclinical patterns that may still cause significant distress and impairment.

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You will explore how biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors interact in the development and maintenance of eating difficulties. Particular attention is given to perfectionism, shame, trauma, anxiety, low self-esteem, and difficulties in emotional regulation. The impact of family dynamics, peer relationships, media influences, and social pressures around appearance and performance is examined throughout, with sensitivity to gender, culture, and diversity.

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A core focus of the programme is on developing a compassionate, non-judgemental and collaborative stance. You will learn how to recognise warning signs, ask safe and sensitive questions, and respond in ways that reduce stigma and promote trust. The course introduces key therapeutic approaches and best-practice guidelines in the support of individuals with eating difficulties, while clarifying the limits of your role and the importance of multidisciplinary working, medical monitoring, and specialist referral.

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Teaching methods typically include lectures, case examples, reflective exercises, and skills practice. You will be supported to apply learning to your own context, whether that is counselling, psychotherapy, youth work, education, health, fitness and wellbeing, or community and voluntary services.

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This diploma is particularly suited to professionals who frequently encounter concerns about food, weight, shape, or appearance in their work. By the end of the course, you will have greater confidence in understanding eating disorders and body image distress, in holding supportive and informed conversations, and in contributing to environments that promote emotional health, body respect, and recovery-oriented care.

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Learning Outcomes

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By the end of this diploma, participants will be able to:

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1. Describe and critically discuss the major eating disorders and eating-related difficulties
   (including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, ARFID, OSFED and subclinical presentations),
   with reference to current diagnostic frameworks and contemporary debates.

2. Explain the biopsychosocial and cultural factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of eating difficulties,
   including the roles of temperament, attachment, trauma, perfectionism, shame, anxiety, low self-esteem, and emotion regulation.

3. Analyse the impact of body image and identity on emotional health, including how appearance-related pressures,
   weight stigma, media and social media, fitness/wellness culture, and performance ideals shape clients’ self-concept and behaviours.

4. Recognise early warning signs and red flags for eating disorders and body image distress across the lifespan,
   and ask safe, sensitive and non-judgemental questions that encourage disclosure and reduce stigma.

5. Conduct an initial psychosocial assessment of eating and body image concerns that is within the practitioner’s scope of practice,
   including gathering relevant history, identifying risk, and appreciating the client’s functional use of symptoms.

6. Formulate eating and body image difficulties using a biopsychosocial lens, integrating developmental history, family dynamics,
   peer relationships, cultural context, and the client’s emotional world in order to guide supportive interventions.

7. Apply core principles from evidence-informed approaches (such as CBT-based, emotion-focused, compassion-focused
   and systemic perspectives) to support clients with eating and body image concerns, while clearly maintaining appropriate role boundaries.

8. Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary and stepped-care framework, including:

   • understanding when medical monitoring is essential,

   • when and how to refer to specialist services, and

   • how to communicate effectively with GPs, psychiatrists, dietitians, schools, and other key professionals.

9. Demonstrate a compassionate, collaborative, and recovery-oriented stance in conversations about food, weight, shape,
   and appearance, fostering safety, autonomy, hope, and motivation for change.

10. Practice in an ethically sound, inclusive and culturally sensitive manner, with awareness of:

    • diversity in gender, sexuality, culture, body size, age, and ability;

    • the impact of personal bias and weight stigma; and

    • relevant ethical and professional guidelines for work with eating disorders.

11. Critically reflect on their own relationship with food, body image and emotional regulation,
    and use supervision, reflective practice, and self-care strategies to sustain safe and effective work in this area.

12. Translate learning into their own professional context (e.g. counselling, psychotherapy, youth work, education, health,
    fitness/wellbeing, community or voluntary services) by developing or refining policies, practices, or resources
    that promote emotional health, body respect, and supportive responses to eating distress.

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Course Layout

Week 1 – Understanding Eating Disorders & Emotional Health

Lecture: Introduction to eating disorders, disordered eating, and emotional wellbeing
Topics Covered:

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• Definitions and diagnostic frameworks

• Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, ARFID, OSFED

• The spectrum of disordered eating

• Prevalence, myths, stigma, and misconceptions

• The relationship between food, emotions, and identity

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Week 2 – The Psychology of Eating Disorders

Lecture: Psychological theories and emotional processes underlying eating difficulties

Topics Covered:

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• Perfectionism, shame, control, and self-worth

• Trauma, attachment, and developmental experiences

• Anxiety, depression, OCD traits, and emotional regulation

• Eating behaviours as coping mechanisms

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Week 3 – Body Image, Identity & Culture

Lecture: Body image development across the lifespan

Topics Covered:

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• Social media and appearance pressures

• Diet culture and wellness culture

• Weight stigma and fatphobia

• Gender, sexuality, culture, and diversity considerations

• Masculinity, femininity, and body ideals

Week 4 – Recognising Risk & Early Intervention

Lecture: Early warning signs, risk indicators, and safeguarding considerations

Topics Covered:

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• Physical, emotional, behavioural, and relational indicators

• Self-harm, suicidality, and co-occurring difficulties

• Medical complications and red flags

• Understanding denial, ambivalence, and resistance

• Working within scope of practice

Practical Workshop: Asking sensitive questions and responding safely to disclosure

Assessment: Simulated supportive conversation exercise (pass/fail competency)

Week 5 – Assessment & Formulation

Lecture: Conducting initial psychosocial assessments

Topics Covered:

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• Gathering relevant eating, emotional, developmental, and family history

• Functional analysis of symptoms

• Biopsychosocial formulation models

• Risk assessment and referral pathways

• Documentation and ethical considerations

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Week 6 – Therapeutic Approaches & Recovery Models

Lecture: Evidence-informed approaches in supporting eating disorders

Topics Covered:

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• CBT-informed approaches

• Compassion-focused approaches

• Emotion-focused interventions

• Motivational interviewing principles

• Recovery-oriented and strengths-based practice

Week 7 – Family, Relationships & Systems

Lecture: The role of family, peers, and relational systems

Topics Covered:

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• Attachment and family dynamics

• Communication patterns and relational distress

• Supporting carers and loved ones

• Working with adolescents and young adults

• School, college, and workplace considerations

Week 8 – Multidisciplinary Practice & Ethical Care

Lecture: Collaborative and ethical practice in eating disorder support

Topics Covered:

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• The role of GPs, psychiatrists, dietitians, and specialist teams

• Referral processes and stepped-care models

• Medical monitoring and safeguarding

• Ethical dilemmas and professional boundaries

• Weight-inclusive and non-stigmatising practice

Week 9 – Recovery, Relapse Prevention & Practitioner Self-Awareness

Lecture: Recovery journeys and sustainable support

Topics Covered:

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• Recovery models and lived experience perspectives

• Relapse prevention and maintaining hope

• Shame resilience and identity rebuilding

• Practitioner self-awareness and reflective practice

• Supervision, burnout prevention, and self-care

Week 10 – Integration, Application & Professional Practice

Lecture: Integrating learning into professional settings

Topics Covered

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• Applying learning across counselling, psychotherapy, youth work, education, fitness/wellbeing, and community settings

• Creating supportive and body-respectful environments

• Developing informed policies and practices

• Future pathways for continued learning and specialist development

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Final Assessment:

• Written Assignment

• Case-Based Presentation and/or Viva Voce Assessment

• Course Reflection & Integration Exercise

• Skills Examination