Australian psychologists can gain advanced insights into bulimia nervosa through this full course.
For Australian psychologists and counsellors working with eating disorders, this course offers a clinical and psychoanalytic reading of bulimia nervosa. It starts with diagnostic criteria, prevalence and the core features of the binge-purge cycle and compensatory behaviours, then examines the cycle as an emotional regulatory system. Contributing factors discussed include disrupted early attachment, trouble with emotional expression and body image concerns, along with the role of shame and relational dynamics. The course also looks at developmental conflicts and the symbolic meaning of purging. Treatment considerations cover boundary management, countertransference and the value of addressing underlying psychological processes rather than symptoms alone.
This talk offers a comprehensive overview of bulimia nervosa, covering diagnostic criteria, prevalence, and underlying psychological mechanisms. It examines the binge-purge cycle as an emotional regulatory system and explores contributing factors such as early attachment disruptions, difficulties with emotional expression, and body image concerns. The session highlights the symbolic meaning of purging behaviours, the role of shame and relational dynamics, and the influence of developmental conflicts. Clinical considerations include therapeutic challenges, boundary management, and the importance of addressing deeper psychological processes alongside symptom-focused interventions.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this talk, participants will be able to: