Samantha DeCaro, PsyD
Presentation Title:
“When Talk Therapy Isn’t Enough: Coached Meals and In Vivo Exposure Interventions in Eating Disorder Treatment”
Presentation Overview:
This presentation will explore:
- Making the case for in vivo exposure therapy in the treatment of eating disorders
- Barriers to implementing food-related exposure work
- Key components of in vivo exposures via Coached Meals (prior, during, and after the exposure)
- Detailed case example
- Experiential exercise
Learning Objectives:
- Attendees will be able to identify at least three barriers to implementing in vivo exposure work and challenge the beliefs that contribute to this avoidance.
- Attendees will be able to name three types of avoidance strategies to target during exposure work, including specific homework assignments to help clients identify their patterns of avoidance during meals.
- Attendees will be able to effectively design and execute a Coached Meal intervention to help their clients increase interoceptive tolerance, practice mindful awareness, build emotional efficacy, and improve variety within their meal plans.
Speaker Biography:
Samantha DeCaro, PsyD, is the Director of Clinical Outreach and Education for The Renfrew Center and a licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania. She has been with Renfrew since 2012, completing her post-doctoral residency at The Renfrew Center Philadelphia – Spring Lane, then holding the position of Primary Therapist, and most recently serving as Assistant Clinical Director. As Renfrew’s national spokesperson, Dr. DeCaro has been featured in the media as an eating disorder expert on various television shows, radio programs, podcasts, and online magazines. She is a frequent lecturer and serves as the Alumni Representative for The Renfrew Center of Philadelphia.