Walden's Worcester Clinic Announces Free Spring Speaker Series

Walden Behavioral Care today announced a free spring speaker series at its Worcester clinic, 335 Chandler St., detailing new insight on the treatment of children, adolescents and young adults with eating disorders.

“An estimated 30 million Americans have eating disorders,” according to Laura Roias, program director of Walden’s Worcester clinic. “Evidence shows parents are central to prevention, treatment and recovery. This series will equip both providers and parents with the guidance to make a long-lasting impact on patients and loved ones.”

The series includes the following presentations:

· “Help! How Do I Support My College-Aged Child with an Eating Disorder This Summer,” featuring Laura Roias, Worcester program director, from 9 to 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 23, 2016.

· “Solving Picky Eating: How Family-Based Treatment Can Transform your Child’s Eating Patterns,” featuring Roias and Renee Nelson, Psy.D., director of adolescent programs, from 9 to 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 6. 2016.

· “It’s in Your Genes: Parenting When You Have Struggled with Eating, Weight or Body Image Issues,” featuring Roias and Dr. Nelson from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 8, 2016.

The spring speaker series will answer common questions parents have about eating disorders, including how best to involve family in the recovery process, communication strategies with children and the role of genetics in eating disorders. In addition, healthcare providers and mental health professionals will learn new innovative treatment strategies from some of the region’s top eating disorder specialists and clinicians.

Attendees will have an opportunity to tour the clinic, which provides outpatient treatment for both males and females, ages 12 and up. Registration for the speaker series is available at www.WaldenEatingDisorders.com.