You Do Not Have to Specialize in Eating Disorders to Encounter Them in Practice
A client may initially come to therapy for anxiety.
Depression.
Trauma.
Relationship concerns.
Perfectionism.
Low self-esteem.
Or difficulty coping with stress.
Then, over time, another pattern begins to emerge.
Food becomes increasingly restricted.
Exercise becomes more rigid.
Body image begins influencing self-worth.
Eating becomes connected to secrecy, guilt, fear, or loss of control.
The clinician may suddenly face an important question:
“Am I recognizing what I am seeing early enough?”
Eating disorder knowledge is not only relevant for clinicians who identify themselves as eating disorder specialists.
It can matter for therapists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, counselors, psychiatric providers, and other behavioral health professionals working with clients across many presenting concerns.
That is why Find Your Balance Center for Growth & Change, in collaboration with Alsana, is hosting an in-person educational event for mental health professionals:
Lunch & Learn: Eating Disorders & The Road to Recovery Friday, October 2, 2026
11:00 AM–1:00 PM
Woodland Hills, California
In person
1 CE credit
Complimentary meal included
RSVP required
The full venue location and attendance instructions will be provided to registered attendees in their confirmation email.
Why Eating Disorder Education Matters for Outpatient Clinicians
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can affect people across ages, body sizes, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and sexes.
They are not always visible.
Someone can appear physically healthy and still be experiencing a serious eating disorder. NIMH specifically notes that eating disorders can occur among people who are underweight, average weight, or overweight.
That matters in outpatient mental health care.
A clinician may be working with someone whose primary complaint is:
Anxiety
Depression
Trauma
OCD-like behaviors
Perfectionism
Family conflict
Substance use
Low self-esteem
Emotional dysregulation
Social withdrawal
Meanwhile, eating-related behaviors may be developing in the background.
The American Psychiatric Association recommends screening for eating disorders as part of an initial psychiatric evaluation and emphasizes careful assessment of eating patterns, food avoidance, binge eating, compensatory behaviors, changes in weight, and related medical concerns.
Clinicians do not need to become eating disorder specialists overnight.
But greater awareness can help them recognize when something deserves closer assessment, consultation, or referral.
Eating Disorders May Be Easier to Miss Than Clinicians Expect
One reason eating disorders can go unrecognized is that they do not always match common stereotypes.
A client does not have to “look sick.”
They may be functioning at work.
Attending school.
Maintaining relationships.
Showing up consistently for therapy.
And they may never initially say: “I think I have an eating disorder.”
Instead, a clinician may hear statements such as:
“I have been trying to eat healthier.”
“I feel guilty when I miss a workout.”
“I am always thinking about food.”
“I do not like eating around other people.”
“I lose control around food sometimes.”
“I feel like my body determines whether I had a good day.”
“I cut out a lot of foods because they make me anxious.”
None of these statements automatically confirms an eating disorder.
But they may create an opportunity to slow down and explore what is happening more carefully.
Eating Disorders Often Co-Occur With Other Mental Health Concerns
Eating disorder presentations may also overlap with concerns clinicians already treat every day. NIMH notes that people with eating disorders have increased rates of co-occurring conditions including depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders.
This makes eating disorder education relevant even in general outpatient practice.
A therapist treating anxiety may encounter restrictive eating.
A trauma therapist may encounter body-related distress or coping behaviors involving food.
A clinician working with perfectionism may notice rigid rules around exercise or eating.
A family therapist may begin hearing increasing conflict around meals.
Understanding when these patterns may require specialized assessment can strengthen clinical decision-making.
Early Recognition Can Matter
Eating disorders can affect both psychological and physical health and, in some cases, can become life-threatening.
NIMH emphasizes that early detection and treatment are important for recovery. Treatment may involve psychotherapy, nutritional care, medical monitoring, medication for certain conditions or co-occurring symptoms, and higher levels of care when clinically necessary.
For outpatient clinicians, the role may not always be to provide the entire course of eating disorder treatment.
Sometimes the role is to recognize:
“This requires further assessment.”
“I need consultation.”
“A dietitian or medical provider should be involved.”
“This client may need a higher level of care.”
Knowing when to collaborate can be as important as knowing what to do inside the therapy room.
What Clinicians Can Expect From the Lunch & Learn
The Eating Disorders & The Road to Recovery Lunch & Learn is designed for mental health clinicians and behavioral health professionals who want to strengthen their understanding of eating disorders and recovery.
Attendees will have an opportunity to:
Learn more about the complexity of eating disorders
Explore treatment and recovery considerations
Strengthen awareness of eating disorder presentations
Earn 1 CE credit
Connect with fellow mental health professionals
Network with clinicians and behavioral health providers
Enjoy a complimentary meal in a professional learning environment
The event is complimentary, but registration is required and space is limited.
Featured Speaker: Keesha N. Amezcua, MA, LMFT, CEDS-S, CDWF
The educational presentation will feature:
Keesha N. Amezcua, MA, LMFT, CEDS-S, CDWFChief Clinical Officer, Alsana
Keesha is an eating disorder specialist, clinical leader, and national speaker with experience in treatment, recovery, clinical supervision, and program development.
Her experience gives attendees an opportunity to learn from a clinician working directly within the eating disorder treatment field.
Hosted by Find Your Balance Center for Growth & Change
The Lunch & Learn is hosted by:
Crystal Guzman, LMFTFounder & CEOFind Your Balance Center for Growth & Change
FYBC provides psychotherapy and psychiatric medication management across California and regularly collaborates with clinicians, healthcare professionals, referral partners, and behavioral health organizations to strengthen professional education and continuity of care.
Events like this Lunch & Learn reflect a larger goal:
Helping clinicians build stronger clinical knowledge while creating opportunities for meaningful professional connection.
Who Should Attend?
This California mental health CEU event may be especially useful for:
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists
Licensed Clinical Social Workers
Professional Clinical Counselors
Psychologists
Associate clinicians
Psychiatric providers
Behavioral health professionals
Clinical supervisors
Practice owners
Clinicians working with adolescents or adults
Therapists who occasionally encounter eating or body-image concerns
Professionals interested in strengthening referral relationships
You do not need to specialize in eating disorders to benefit from greater awareness.
In fact, that is one of the reasons this education matters.
Why Professional Networking Matters Too
Continuing education is valuable for the information clinicians take back into practice.
But professional connection matters too.
Complex mental health concerns rarely exist in isolation.
Eating disorder treatment may involve collaboration among:
Therapists
Physicians
Psychiatrists
Registered dietitians
Higher-level treatment programs
Family members
Other healthcare professionals
Building professional relationships before a complicated case arises can make consultation and referral easier later.
A Lunch & Learn creates space for both:
clinical education and connection.
Register for the Eating Disorder CEU Lunch & Learn
Space is limited, and attendees must register in advance.
Reserve your seat: https://events.findyourbalancecenter.com/lunch-and-learn
After registering, check the email address used during registration for your confirmation and complete event details.
Why This Training Matters
You may never become an eating disorder specialist.
But you may still be the clinician who notices something.
The therapist who asks another question.
The provider who realizes a client's eating behavior deserves more attention.
The clinician who knows when consultation is needed.
Or the professional who helps connect someone with a more specialized level of care.
Eating disorders can be serious, and they can be difficult to recognize.
Greater clinical awareness can help make the path toward appropriate support clearer.
Continue Learning
Mental health clinicians interested in professional education and collaboration can also explore FYBC resources and upcoming opportunities for continuing education, consultation, and behavioral health networking.
Follow Find Your Balance Center for Growth & Change for future California clinician education events, CE opportunities, and professional development resources.
Frequency Asked Questions:
Is the Eating Disorders & The Road to Recovery Lunch & Learn free?
Yes. The event is complimentary, but advance registration is required and space is limited.
When is the FYBC Eating Disorder Lunch & Learn?
The event will take place on Friday, October 2, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Where is the Lunch & Learn?
The event will be held in person in Woodland Hills, California. Registered attendees will receive the full venue location and attendance instructions in their confirmation email.
Does the Lunch & Learn provide continuing education credit?
Yes. Attendees will have the opportunity to earn 1 CE credit.
Who should attend this eating disorder CEU?
Do I need to specialize in eating disorders?
No. General outpatient clinicians may encounter clients with eating disorders or disordered eating even when those concerns are not the client's original reason for seeking therapy.
Why should therapists learn more about eating disorders?
Eating disorders can affect people across body sizes and backgrounds and may co-occur with anxiety, depression, substance use, and other mental health concerns. Early recognition and appropriate treatment are important for recovery.
Who is presenting the Lunch & Learn?
The featured speaker is Keesha N. Amezcua, MA, LMFT, CEDS-S, CDWF, Chief Clinical Officer at Alsana.
Who is hosting the event?
The event is presented by Find Your Balance Center for Growth & Change in collaboration with Alsana and hosted by Crystal Guzman, LMFT, Founder & CEO of FYBC.
Is lunch included?
Yes. A complimentary meal is included for registered attendees.
How do I register?
Register online at: https://events.findyourbalancecenter.com/lunch-and-learn
Registration is required to attend.
Educational Disclaimer
This article is intended for professional and educational purposes only and does not replace individualized clinical assessment, consultation, supervision, medical evaluation, or specialized eating disorder treatment.
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