Presented by Erica Thomas, Licensed MFT #77166
2 CE credits
Last day to register: Friday, November 6, 2025
Treating Binge Eating with Self-Compassion: A Trauma-Informed Approach is a practical, research-informed training designed to help licensed therapists effectively address binge eating through the lens of self-compassion.
Grounded in the work of Kristin Neff, Paul Gilbert, and trauma-informed care, this workshop reframes binge eating as a meaningful coping strategy rooted in emotional pain and shame. Participants will learn self-compassion–based interventions to help clients move beyond cycles of self-criticism and secrecy toward greater emotional regulation, inner safety, and lasting healing.
This beginning-to-intermediate level training is ideal for clinicians working with disordered eating, chronic dieting, body image distress, or trauma-related emotional dysregulation. Through case examples, guided practices, and experiential exercises, participants will gain skills for introducing self-compassion in ways that honor clients’ protective strategies while gently expanding new ways of relating to food, body, and self.
The training also emphasizes therapist self-reflection, supporting clinicians in maintaining a compassionate stance when encountering stuckness, resistance, or countertransference. Attendees will leave with practical tools and language they can immediately apply to help clients reduce shame and cultivate a more compassionate relationship with themselves.
Presentation Goals
1. This training will provide therapists with a trauma-informed framework for treating binge eating using self-compassion-based interventions.
2. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how binge eating functions as an emotional coping strategy.
3. Participants will learn practical tools to help clients reduce shame, regulate emotions, and build a kinder relationship with food and body.
Measurable objectives
1. Describe at least three ways that trauma can contribute to the development and maintenance of binge eating behaviors.
2. Identify at least three self-compassion-based interventions that can be integrated into clinical work with clients struggling with binge eating.
3. Explain how self-compassion can reduce shame and self-criticism in clients with disordered eating.
4. Apply at least two trauma-informed strategies for introducing self-compassion practices to clients who use food as an emotional coping tool.
5. Describe at least two ways self-compassion practices can be adapted to support clients from diverse cultural, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds in the treatment of binge eating.
About the Presenter
Erica Thomas, MA, LMFT has over 15 years of experience supporting clients in healing from trauma, emotional eating, and disordered eating. She specializes in helping clients develop a more compassionate relationship with food and body, drawing from her training with Dr. Kristin Neff and her background in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Erica maintains a private practice in Rohnert Park and Lafayette, CA, and offers coaching and an online course to support individuals struggling with emotional eating. Her work blends evidence-based practices with deep empathy and a belief that healing begins with kindness toward ourselves.
TARGET AUDIENCE: Licensed psychologists, licensed social workers, licensed professional counselors, licensed marriage & family therapists, and pre-licensed professionals.
CE Credit Certificates
The course meets the qualifications for 2 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
East Bay Chapter of CAMFT is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (Provider #52488) to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs. East Bay Chapter of CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.
Note: Certificates of Completion will be awarded to participants who attend the entire workshop and complete the course evaluation.
Consider Joining East Bay CAMFT
We invite non-members to consider joining East Bay CAMFT.
Member pricing:
Licensed Membership/Community Partner Fee: $75/annually
Pre-Licensed Associate/Student/Retired Membership Fee: $50/annually
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