Body Talk: Using Story & Metaphor to Treat Negative Body Image

IAEDP Jacksonville is excited to announce our Fall CE on treating negative body image with story & metaphor! We are so thrilled to host Dr. Anita Johnson, PhD, CEDS-C for this event.

This event will occur on Friday, February 9th, 2024 at the UNF John A. Delaney Student Union (Building 58). We will be on the 3rd floor in room 3703 CD in the WEST Building. This event starts at 9:00 am, and breakfast will be served.

Presentation Description:

When exploring negative body image, we enter the world of paradox. Just like eating disorders are about eating -- and they are not about eating -- body image issues are about the body, and they are not about the body. While there is no denying that physical attributes play a part in the development of body image, there are additional factors that must be considered.

Those caught up in obsessing about their bodies, scrutinizing every flaw, agonizing over every half pound, are being distracted from the real issues causing them distress. As long as they keep their focus on their physical appearance, the real problems cannot be addressed and resolved; the pain continues and the obsessions intensify. With the image of their bodies in the forefront of their minds, they remain unconscious of internal stories that are causing their suffering and unaware they are blaming the wrong aspect of themselves.

This presentation addresses how to break the spell cast by a culture in which extreme body dissatisfaction has become normalized. It will show how to use stories and metaphor to help clients shift their attention away from how they look to how they see.

For eons, ancient traditions in cultures across the world have used this approach to help shift perception. Without understanding the scientific mechanisms of the brain and why this approach worked, these indigenous cultures knew important teachings would be retained since analogies presented in the form of teaching stories were likely to leave lasting impressions. Behaviors, attitudes, and perspectives would change; the stories would be remembered and passed along. Recently, modern science has developed the technology that gives us a glimpse into brain functioning, allowing us to see how these processes work and how they can be effective in generating insights that can lead to healing.

In this lively interactive presentation, traditional healing stories, applicable research in the fields of neuroscience and quantum mechanics, and case studies will be used to demonstrate practical ways of addressing negative body image in a treatment setting.

This presentation addresses how to break the spell cast by the culture in which extreme body dissatisfaction has become normalized. Using traditional healing stories, neuroscience research, and case studies it will demonstrate practical ways of addressing negative body image in a treatment setting, helping clients shift their attention away from how they look to how they see.

Objectives:

At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:

1. Identify the role of symbolic language in negative self-talk about the body
2. Explain how recent studies in neuroscience contribute to understanding body image
3. Utilize metaphor as a tool for helping clients understand the connection between negative body image, deeper emotions, and underlying thoughts.

Speaker Bio:

Anita Johnston, Ph.D., is a Clinical Psychologist, Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, and author of Eating in the Light of the Moon which has been published in seven languages, along with book chapters and articles in professional journals.

She is currently the Founder and Executive Clinical Director of Ai Pono Hawaii Eating Disorder Programs, which has a residential eating disorder treatment program on Maui. She is the co-creator of the Light of the Moon Café, an online resource with interactive and self-study courses for women around the world.

A pioneer in the field, Dr. Johnston has been treating eating disorders for over 35 years. She founded the Anorexia & Bulimia Center of Hawaii in 1982, developed Hawaii’s first inpatient eating disorders treatment program at Kahi Mohala Hospital in 1986, and created the first EDIOP (eating disorders intensive outpatient program) in the U.S. In 2010 she developed Australia’s first intensive outpatient eating disorders program in Sydney.

Dr. Johnston provides virtual individual consultations and conducts workshops internationally. She is best known for integrating metaphor and storytelling into her training as a clinical psychologist to explain the complex issues that underlie struggles with eating and body image.

UNF STUDENT UNION DIRECTIONS:

Here's a few helpful details about parking and finding the room we are in.

This event is taking place on the campus of UNF in the John A. Delaney Student Union (Building 58). We will be on the 3rd floor in room 3703CD in the WEST Building.

Please see below for a map for reference.

Parking Instructions:

• Enter through the main UNF entrance (from I-295, St. Johns Bluff Road, and Town Center Parkway).
• Continue on UNF Drive, and proceed straight through the traffic light.
• You will pass the Fine Arts Center Parking Garage (Building 44) and Tom and Betty Petway Hall (Building 57)
• The Arena Parking Garage (Building 38) will be on your right.
• Park on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th floor of the Arena Parking Garage.
• DO NOT back in, as your license plate must be visible.
• After parking, walk to a kiosk and pay for parking. You will need to enter your license plate number.
• Follow signs for the John A. Delaney Student Union (Building 58).
• WE WILL BE ON THE 3RD FLOOR, IN ROOM 3703 CD IN THE WEST BUILDING.

Printable UNF campus map:

https://www.unf.edu/housing/files/resources/Certified.msa.campusMap_Final.pdf

Interactive UNF campus map:

https://maps.unf.edu/

Thank you to our incredible sponsors for helping to make this event happen!

We are immensely grateful to the National Alliance for Eating Disorders for all of the work that they do, and for assisting with the CE Credits for this event!

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

John A. Delaney Student Union, 1 South U N F Drive, Jacksonville, United States