Eating disorders are a complex and often long-term physical and neurological illness, with one of the highest mortality rates of all psychiatric illnesses. It is estimated that approximately 1.1 million (4.45%) of Australians are experiencing an eating disorder.* This presentation considers the clinical and medical management of eating disorders, drawing on anecdotal examples to support learning.
Practical resources will also be provided to assist clinicians who are working with clients that may be experiencing or at risk of developing an eating disorder.
*The Butterfly Foundation (2024) Paying the Price, Second Edition: The economic and social impact of eating disorders in Australia.
This presentation aims to address:
- Treatment guidelines
- Age span and eating disorder development
- Referral process
- Medical management
- Working with a multi-disciplinary team
- Support for clients recovering from an eating disorder
Who is this event for?
This event is for clinicians with a special interest in working with clients who present with body image issues, disordered eating, and eating disorder symptoms.
Please note: This presentation covers the clinical and medical management of eating disorders, including references to lived experience. During the session, references may be made to males, females, girls, and boys. The presenters respect and acknowledge that eating disorders affect all genders, and that for members of the LGBTQI+ community there is added complexity around body image and eating disorders that continues to be better understood through research, awareness, and the sharing of lived experience.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday 16 June 2026
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm (AEST)
Location: Online via Zoom
Please check your time zone to avoid disappointment
Recording provided to all registrants
Presenter: Michelle Sperling
Michelle is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Psychotherapist (MSWQ, MCAP), is an ANZAED Credentialed Eating Disorder Practitioner and has full registration with the AASW Australian Association of Social Workers.
Michelle is a clinician who has worked with a range of clinical presentations in a variety of settings including Federal Government, private practice, intensive outpatient eating disorder treatment and at Butterfly Foundation as National Manager Treatment and Support Services. Michelle works with a variety of client ages who are experiencing a range of body image issues, eating disorder presentations, disordered eating and comorbidities, in addition to providing support and counselling to carers and families caring for a loved one with an eating disorder.
Michelle's treatment approach draws from various evidence-based modalities that she has been trained in to inform practice.
* Please note that presenter bios are prepared by the presenters and are shared as provided without modification. They reflect each presenter's own professional journey and perspective.
CPD
Attending this webinar counts as 2 hours of Category A CPD (Continuing Professional Development). Watching a recording of this webinar, which will be provided to registrants, can be used towards 2 hours of Category B CPD.
You must attend 75% of a webinar to receive a CPD certificate for Category A CPD.
Ticket Prices
PACFA Members: $35.00 + GST ($38.50)
Student Members: $25.00 + GST ($27.50)
Non-Members: $50.00 + GST ($55.00)
What to Expect After You Register
Once registered, your personal Zoom link will be dispatched directly to you via email from Zoom within 1 hour of registration and 1 hour prior to the event. Please keep an eye on your inbox for an email from Zoom ([email protected]). All future correspondence pertaining to this event, including event recordings, will be communicated through the PACFA email address ([email protected]). To ensure a seamless experience, we recommend adding both email addresses to your safe sender list to prevent missed communications.
Alternatively, you can find the Zoom link if you log into your account under the "My events" tab.
Event Cancellations
Customers seeking to cancel their registration more than 5 working days (for courses) and 48 hours (for webinars) prior to the event date may request a credit to be applied to their account. Cancellations must be made in writing to [email protected]. Cancellations made with less notice than this are non-refundable or exchangeable. Credits are valid for up to a year from the purchase date. This policy is at PACFA's discretion and may change.