Eating disorder seminar set for Dec. 2 in Corning

The importance of communication between the brain and gut and its impact on our health will be explored on Dec. 2 at the 18th Annual Erin Leah Robarge Memorial Eating Disorder Seminar in Corning.

The seminar, “The Brain - Gut Connections: The Revolution in Eating Disorder Treatment,” is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 2 at Radisson Hotel Corning. The seminar is open to eating disorder professionals, patients, their families and the public.

Dr. Laura Hill

“Research is increasingly focused on the relationship between neurobiology and eating disorders,” said Carolyn Hodges Chaffee, MSRDN, CEDRD, owner and director of Upstate New York Eating Disorder Service and one of the seminar’s co-sponsors. “Neurobiology that can help clinical practice best support people with eating disorders will be explored. Research has shown that changing gut bacteria using diet affects brain function, and can provide information to help develop new strategies to prevent or treat digestive, mental, and neurological disorders.

“The workshop will look at how a better

understanding of this connection will revolutionize the treatment of eating disorders and other mental health disorders.”

There are two keynote speakers:

The morning speaker is clinical psychologist Dr. Laura Hill, Ph.D., FAED, the chief executive and clinical officer with the Center for Balanced Living in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Hill, a past keynote speaker, returns to talk about the latest research in the brains of patients with bulimia and anorexia. “Dr. Hill has been instrumental in developing the first neurologically based treatment for anorexia nervosa with Dr. Walter Hill,” Chaffee said.

April Winslow

The afternoon keynote speaker is April Winslow, MSRDN, CEDRD, a psychiatric registered dietitian and the founder of Choose To Change Nutritional Services in San Jose, Calif. Winslow will talk about the communication between the brain and gut and how understanding this can help lead to the development of new strategies to treat digestive, mental and neurological disorders. "We know that gut function plays a very important role in revolutionizing the treatment of eating disorders." Carolyn said.

Early registration is $100 by Nov. 25. After Nov. 25, it is $125. There are discounts for businesses, students, and families. Call (607) 732-5646 for more information.

The seminar was established in memory of Erin Leah Robarge, who died in 2000 after a long struggle with an eating disorder. She was 23 years old. The other co-sponsors are ClearPath Healing Arts Center in Corning and Ophelia’s Place in Liverpool, N.Y.

Upstate New York Eating Disorder Service is home to the Nutrition Clinic and Sol Stone Center. The Nutrition Clinic is an outpatient clinic committed to helping eating disorder patients make permanent, healthy lifestyle changes. The Sol Stone Center is a nationally recognized partial hospitalization program that specializes in treating people who have been unresponsive to outpatient care and/or people discharged from inpatient or residential settings.