Emily Keehn, LPC

Presentation Title:

“Grieving the ED Relationship Supported with the Application of DBT and ACT in the Therapeutic Relationship”

Presentation Overview:

Grief happens with loss, change and transition. The relationship that exists with an eating disorder can elicit feelings of grief when working towards recovery because of the many layers of loss, change and transition experienced in the relationship with an eating disorder. Supported with the 5 stages of grief, and applying the blend of DBT skills and ACT concepts creates a more comprehensive approach and enhances the therapeutic interventions when working with ED recovery.

Learning Objectives:

1. Attendees will be able to identify the 5 stages of grief and recognize different types of grief to develop therapeutic understanding of the grieving process.
2. Attendees will enhance their knowledge of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills and application in addition to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) principles to establish a meaningful life including goals, values, and commitments within ED recovery.
3. Attendees will be able to apply the key concepts of DBT and ACT principles with 5 stages of grief to support comprehensive application in the therapeutic relationship with eating disorders.

Speaker Biography:

As an Individual and Group Therapist, specializing in Dialectical Behavior Therapy at Timberline Knolls, Emily supports residents with co-occurring mental health disorders such as Mood Disorders, Eating Disorders, Substance Abuse, Self-Harm behaviors and Trauma. Emily supports the therapeutic relationship to teach and implement the principles of Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to support recovery. Emily started at Timberline Knolls of March 2015 as a Behavior Health Specialist before transitioning to DBT Specialist in June 2015 and has been in her current role as an Individual Therapist and Group Therapist in the TK Partial Hospitalization Program since February 2021.