Innovative Treatments for Eating Disorders Presented at 2020 iaedp™ Symposium


According to Dr. Annie Heiderscheit, music therapy can help people to explore and understand the psychological issues that may have led them to using eating as a way of controlling their feelings and emotions.

Therapeutic music answers the questions of how the neural mechanisms of musical sounds create profound and rewarding effects on an individual’s emotions and health. Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship. Working with patients with eating disorders, music therapy can be used as a creative way to further encourage discussion, deepen introspection and develop positive coping strategies.

At the 2020 iaedp™ Symposium, slated for March 26 – 29 at the Omni at ChampionsGate in Orlando, presenter Annie Heiderscheit PhD, MT-BC, LMFT will address how when working with patients with eating disorders, music therapy can be used as a creative way to further encourage discussion, deepen introspection and develop positive coping strategies.

According to Dr. Heiderscheit, music therapy can help people to explore and understand the psychological issues that may have led them to using eating as a way of controlling their feelings and emotions.

In fact, Dr. Heiderscheit believes that methods such as free and structured improvisation, songwriting and listening to pre-composed music can be used to help clients to address specific aspects of eating disorder pathology, such as being able to recognize and tolerate their feelings, connect with others and make links between thoughts, feelings and the body.

During her workshop on March 28 at 1:30 p.m., Dr. Heiderscheit will present how music therapy can be individualized to fit each patient’s needs. She also will illustrate for attendees the neural pathways of musical sounds and identify how they are integrated in the various areas of the brain and propose three ways that music therapy may assist in eating disorder treatment.

Dr. Heiderscheit is Director of Music Therapy and Associate Professor of Music at Augsburg College. Among other noted fellowships, Dr. Heiderscheit has a certification in Neurological Music Therapy (NMT) and has been involved in over 20 funded projects, participated in over 35 research experiences and published over 30 peer-reviewed papers on music and psychotherapy. She has published four books including Introduction to Music Therapy Practice (2018).

Dr. Heiderscheit’s presentation will be among 70 other presentations, networking events and other special events at the 2020 iaedp™ Symposium. More information about all aspects regarding iaedp™ and its 2020 Symposium can be found at iaedp.com.

About the iaedp™ Foundation:

Since 1985, the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals has provided education and training standards to an international and multidisciplinary group of various healthcare treatment providers and helping professions. MemberSHARE.iaedp.com is an iaedp™ business journal and online member resource to learn about noteworthy member achievements, continuing education webinars and U.S. and international chapter activity and events; for more information, visit MemberSHARE.

The Presidents Council provides iaedp™ support and includes: Center for Change; Center for Hope of the Sierras; Center for Discovery; Eating Recovery Center; Willow Place; Laureate Eating Disorders Program; McCallum Place Eating Disorder Centers; The Meadows Ranch; Rogers Behavioral Health; Rosewood Centers for Eating Disorders; Selah House; The Renfrew Center; Timberline Knolls; Veritas Collaborative; Alsana Eating Disorder Treatment & Recovery Centers; Silver Hill Hospital and Walden Behavioral Care.

The 2020 iaedp™ Symposium is proud to announce Bronze Sponsors: ViaMar Health, Eating Disorder Recovery Specialists, Simple Practice, Transcend ED and Fairwinds Treatment Center.

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