“Millions of Americans struggle with addiction, trauma and other devastating disorders,” said Kim Dennis , MD of Timberline Knolls. “Our goal is to shed light on the latest research and findings in the therapeutic field.”

The educational event will explore the impact of substance abuse and trauma on the individual and examine how family systems play an integral role. The importance of an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach in therapy and the necessity of family involvement throughout treatment will also be addressed.

In her keynote presentation, Dr. Black will discuss “Addictive Disorders: The Legacy of Trauma” which will cover trauma experiences within one’s family and how adverse child experiences, emotional abandonment and blatant violence are all aspects of the trauma.

“As complex and painful as life is for people impacted by addiction, there is a path out of a familial script to a life of greater choices,” said Dr. Black. “In healing and recovery, people find meaning from their experiences and let go of the past in a way they can embrace the possibilities today.”

Following the keynote presentation, Timberline Knolls’ staff Stan Selinger PhD and Marcia Nickow PsyD , CADC, CGP, will present “Love, Lies, Secrets, Shame: Treating Trauma and Addiction Across Generations.” This presentation will include a demonstration group for clinicians to process experiences within their own families and families they’ve treated.

Dr. Dennis will then present on the topic of “Trauma – Effects During the Life Cycle, Treatment and Case Studies from Timberline Knolls.” This session will examine the consequences of early trauma as seen in the possible development of substance use disorders, eating disorder and/or self injurious behaviors. Dr. Dennis will share specific case examples of how Timberline Knolls’ integrated treatment approach is particularly useful for trauma survivors with addiction and co-occurring disorders.

Dr. Black will be doing a book signing and her publications will be available for sale. She is probably best known for It Will Never Happen to Me, in which she offers a foundation for understanding what occurred growing up in an addictive family.

Her newest book, Intimate Treason: Healing the Trauma for Partners Confronting Sex Addiction, was written to help those confronted with sexual betrayal have a framework for their healing, but even more important, something that takes them to a level of honesty about themselves that helps them move forward.

There is an $89 registration fee to attend the conference, which includes continental breakfast, lunch and up to 4.00 CEs for psychologists, social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, and drug/alcohol counselors. Discounted valet parking will be available at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel for $15 per vehicle. Those interested in attending can register online at: www.timberlineknolls.com/claudia-black

For more information or questions about the conference, contact Kristen Powell at kpowell@timberlineknolls.com.

About Timberline Knolls:

Timberline Knolls is a leading private residential treatment center for women and adolescent girls (ages 12 – 65+) with eating disorders, substance abuse, trauma, mood and co-occurring disorders. Located in suburban Chicago, residents receive excellent clinical care from a highly trained professional staff on a picturesque 43-acre wooded campus. Women and families seeking Christian treatment can opt for specialized Christian-based therapy. For more information on Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, call us at 877.257.9611. We are also on Facebook – Timberline Knolls, and LinkedIn – Timberline Knolls.

“Once the brain’s reward pathway is primed by the rewarding effects of repeated overeating or binge eating, the individual becomes more susceptible to getting hooked on the rewarding aspects of using illicit substances,” said Kim Dennis MD, CEO and medical director at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center. “The loss of control aspect of each illness also likely reflects dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain that helps us to inhibit impulses and tolerate delayed gratification.”

Dr. Dennis notes earlier studies showed a similar relationship with binge eating and dieting preceding drug use in adolescents, but the studies were not as large as the recent one.

Early intervention and treatment by professionals who are cross-trained in treating both eating disorders and substance abuse are critical to recovery. In addition, integrated treatment is more likely to be successful in the long term.

“Building a strong support network, including others who are sober in their relationship with both food and substances, is essential in order to develop lifelong recovery,” adds Dr. Dennis.

In addition, Dr. Dennis notes the importance of the study in highlighting the connection between the abuse of illicit substances and abuse of food, a legal substance which many don’t consider a substance of abuse. The study is also in line with the emerging neurobiological research that suggests similar areas of the brain, such as reward pathways and the prefrontal cortex, are involved in both food and substance abuse.

For more information about eating disorders and substance abuse treatment, visit the Timberline Knolls Treatment Center Website.

About Timberline Knolls:
Timberline Knolls is a leading private residential treatment center for women and adolescent girls (ages 12 – 65+) with eating disorders, substance abuse, trauma, mood and co-occurring disorders. Located in suburban Chicago, residents receive excellent clinical care from a highly trained professional staff on a picturesque 43-acre wooded campus. Women and families seeking Christian treatment can opt for specialized Christian-based therapy. For more information on Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, call us at 877.257.9611. We are also on Facebook – Timberline Knolls, and LinkedIn – Timberline Knolls.

Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center today announced it is sponsoring the upcoming 2012 Annual Midwest Eating Disorders Conference, put on by the national non-profit ANAD. This year, the theme will be Wellness, Not Weight: Working Together Across the Full Spectrum of Eating Disorders. The conference, held 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Friday, October 26 at the Marriott Oak Brook in Oak Brook, Ill., is open to both mental health professionals and the public. Continuing education credit for professionals will be available through Timberline Knolls and The Institute for Continuing Education.

“The conference is a great place to connect, collaborate and build professional networks while having the opportunity to learn and share the latest knowledge from leading eating disorder professional leaders,” said Laura Discipio LCSW, executive director at ANAD.

The keynote speaker at this year’s conference is Kelly G. Wilson PhD, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Mississippi. He is one of the co-developers of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and has devoted himself to the development and dissemination of ACT and its underlying theory and philosophy for the past 20 years. He has published numerous articles and chapters, as well as six books, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Eating Disorders: A Process-Focused Guide to Treating Anorexia and Bulimia, and The Mindfulness & Acceptance Workbook for Bulimia: A Guide to Breaking Free from Bulimia Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

The conference will also feature workshops led by 16 additional clinicians and professionals from across the country. Four sessions will be offered, with four breakouts at each session. Kim Dennis MD, CEO and medical director of Timberline Knolls, will be presenting on “Co-Occurring Disorders: When Eating Disorders and Substance Abuse Collide.” Descriptions and details for the conference can be found at: http://www.anad.org/get-information/anad-professional-conference/

“We’re proud to be a part of this important conference that offers the latest information and resources for those treating or struggling with eating disorders,” adds Dr. Dennis, who also serves on ANAD’s Scientific and Medical Advisory Board. “We believe in ANAD’s mission of advocating for the development of healthy attitudes, bodies, and behaviors. By sponsoring this conference, we’re able to show our support in promoting eating disorder awareness, prevention and recovery.”

About Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center:
Timberline Knolls is a leading private residential treatment center for women and adolescent girls (ages 12 – 65+) with eating disorders, substance abuse, trauma, mood and co-occurring disorders.  Located in suburban Chicago, residents receive excellent clinical care from a highly trained professional staff on a picturesque 43-acre wooded campus.  Women and families seeking Christian treatment can opt for specialized Christian-based therapy.  For more information on Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, call us at 877.257.9611. We are also on Facebook – Timberline Knolls, and LinkedIn – Timberline Knolls.

Is America obsessed with dieting? This thought-provoking question will be explored and exposed in the compelling new documentary, “America the Beautiful 2: The Thin Commandments” by director Darryl Roberts.

Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center and Towson University are hosting a free special screening of Roberts’ groundbreaking film. The event will be held from 6:00- 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 16 in the West Commons Ballroom A, Towson University, 8000 York Road in Towson, Md. The event, free and open to the public, will offer complimentary hors d’oeuvres and refreshments as well as a panel discussion of eating disorder experts post screening.

“Towson University has been celebrating Love Your Body week for five years. We’re excited to be screening ‘America the Beautiful 2: The Thin Commandments’ with Timberline Knolls during this important week because of the director’s commitment to challenging the media industry’s idealization of thinness,” said Jaime Fenton, PhD, psychologist and coordinator of eating disorder services at Towson University. “Our cultural obsession with thinness impacts the ability of college students to appreciate their bodies, and contributes to the development of eating disorders. Creating greater awareness is a step in the right direction to improve the body image among Towson University students. This film accomplishes that goal.”

Roberts is an award-winning director who created the noteworthy documentary “America the Beautiful” in 2008 that focuses on our country’s obsession with beauty and thinness. The sequel examines the cause of our country’s obsession with dieting and weighs in on the raging battle between doctors who say fat is healthy versus those who disagree. The film offers a passionate and sometimes humorous documentation of the battle to be thin.

“Distributing ‘America the Beautiful 2: The Thin Commandments’ has been a challenge because of the heavily ingrained messages people have regarding weight and health,” said Roberts. “It’s been like a slow burn. As the film gets more and more exposure, people are opening up to the concept of being healthy by practicing healthy behaviors at a wide variety of sizes.”

“I’m especially proud that I’ve made this film because the only way we can beat the dieting industry at its game is to engage in healthy behaviors and step away from the scale as a determinant of health.”

Following the film, the panel will feature: Darryl Roberts; Margaret Nagib PsyD, spirituality clinical coordinator at Timberline Knolls, and Jaime Fenton PhD, psychologist and coordinator of eating disorder services at Towson University. Also on the panel will be Deborah Kauffmann RD, LDN, from Nutrition Counseling for Intuitive Eating, and Sarah Johnson PsyD, community psychologist. National eating disorders awareness advocate, founder and president of the Kirsten Haglund Foundation, and community relations specialist at Timberline Knolls, Kirsten Haglund, will serve as the emcee for the evening.

Registration is required to attend the event. Those interested can register at the following:
www.TimberlineKnolls.org/Towson

About Timberline Knolls:
Timberline Knolls is a leading private residential treatment center for women and adolescent girls (ages 12 – 65+) with eating disorders, substance abuse, trauma, mood and co-occurring disorders. Located in suburban Chicago, residents receive excellent clinical care from a highly trained professional staff on a picturesque 43-acre wooded campus. Women and families seeking Christian treatment can opt for specialized Christian-based therapy. For more information on Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, call us at 877.257.9611. We are also on Facebook – Timberline Knolls, and LinkedIn – Timberline Knolls.