Treating Binge Eating with Self-Compassion: A Trauma Informed
Approach
Presented by
Erica Thomas, LMFT
Friday, November 7th, 2025
9:00 am - 11:15 am
Zoom, 2 CEs
On Zoom
Course Description
Treating Binge Eating with Self-Compassion: A Trauma-Informed Approach offers therapists a practical and research-informed framework for addressing binge eating through the lens of self-compassion. Rooted in the work of Kristin Neff, Paul Gilbert, and trauma-informed care principles, this training explores how binge eating often functions as a coping strategy for underlying emotional pain and shame. Participants will learn how to use self-compassion-based interventions to help clients shift from cycles of self-criticism and secrecy to greater emotional regulation, inner safety, and healing.
This training is especially relevant for clinicians who work with clients struggling with disordered eating, chronic dieting, body image distress, or emotional dysregulation related to trauma histories. Through clinical examples, guided practices, and experiential learning, participants will explore how to integrate self-compassion into treatment in a way that honors the client’s protective strategies while gently introducing new ways of relating to food, body, and self. Attention will also be given to therapist self-reflection—helping clinicians bring a self-compassionate stance to moments of therapeutic stuckness, client resistance, or countertransference.
This is a beginning to intermediate-level training appropriate for therapists with some familiarity with working with eating concerns, emotional dysregulation, or trauma. No prior experience with self-compassion-based interventions is required, though an interest in mindfulness, somatic work, or parts work (e.g., IFS) may be helpful. Therapists will leave with immediately usable tools, language, and practices to support clients in reducing shame, increasing self regulation, and developing a more compassionate relationship with food and their bodies.
Educational Goals
This training will provide therapists with a trauma-informed framework for treating binge eating using self-compassion-based interventions. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how binge eating functions as an emotional coping strategy and learn practical tools to help clients reduce shame, regulate emotions, and build a kinder relationship with food and body. The training also supports therapists in cultivating a self-compassionate stance in their clinical work
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Describe at least three ways that trauma can contribute to the development and maintenance of binge eating behaviors.
- Identify at least three self-compassion-based interventions that can be integrated into clinical work with clients struggling with binge eating.
- Explain how self-compassion can reduce shame and self-criticism in clients with disordered eating.
- Apply at least two trauma-informed strategies for introducing self-compassion practices to clients who use food as an emotional coping tool.
- 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 Our Speaker
Erica Thomas, LMFT
Erica Thomas, MA, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 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 in self-compassion and her background in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Erica maintains a private practice in Rohnert Park and Lafayette, California, 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.
Location
Zoom Meeting. Requires pre-registration with Zoom using the instructions provided in your RECAMFT confirmation email in order to get your personal Zoom Join Link.
Registration
RSVP here. Please note that once you have RSVP'd for this event, you will receive a link to register for the Zoom Meeting. You must complete this second Zoom-registration step to gain access to the event link.
Pricing
1) Registration for All RECAMFT Members - no charge
2) Reciprocal registration for members of Marin CAMFT (CODE REQUIRED) - no charge
3) Other CAMFT Members - Licensed - $30.00
4) Other CAMFT Members - Pre-Licensed - $21.00
5) Non-CAMFT Members (licensed therapists who are not members of CAMFT) - $36.00
Training Schedule and Attendance Requirements
Please note, this is a 2-CE training, comprised of two hours of training plus time for RECAMFT announcements during the meeting. You must be logged on at the beginning of the training, be present during the event (including responding to attendance checks by coming on camera, verbally replying, and/or replying in the chat), and stay logged on for the full duration, to end at 11:15am, in order to earn the CEs. If your camera is off the entire time, and RECAMFT cannot verify you were physically present at your computer throughout the training, then RECAMFT cannot issue a CE certificate, as we would not be able to show that the BBS requirements for your participation were met.
Recording
RECAMFT intends to record this event, and assuming no technical hurdles, will be producing it as an on-demand course to be published at the RECAMFT CE Center, including the ability to earn CEs. RECAMFT members will have access there for free. Non-members and reciprocal chapter members will be able to purchase access. Access to the recording is not included with any registration for this "live" (real-time on Zoom) training. If you know that you will not be able to attend on the event date listed above, please do not register for this training and instead wait until the on-demand version is published. Registrations are managed separately and cannot be transferred.
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Redwood Empire Chapter CAMFT (Provider #57173) is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs. Redwood Empire Chapter CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.
- Disability Accommodation: To request an accommodation for a disability, please email info@recamft.org.
- Refunds: Refunds may be requested up to 7 days before the event by contacting info@recamft.org. No refunds are given beginning 7 days prior to the event. If a registrant cannot attend the event due to a mandatory evacuation or Public Safety Power Shut-off the day of the event, they can request and receive a refund with verification of address.
- CE Certificate: You must be physically present at your computer and watching and/or listening to the training while logged onto the zoom meeting for the entire presentation, and complete a post test and an evaluation to receive your CE credit certificate. Within a week after the conclusion of this educational event, once RECAMFT has processed attendance, an email with a link to the test and evaluation form will be sent to all participants whose physical presence during the online meeting is verified. Once you complete and submit your evaluation, you will have immediate access and be able to print or save your CE Certificate. This course meets the qualifications for 2.0 hrs of continuing education (CE) credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
- Notice of Recording: Whenever possible, our CE events are recorded or filmed and may appear on our website. Your participation in this event by registering and attending indicates your approval for your likeness to appear in the recording, if any.
- Grievances: Direct grievances to info@recamft.org, and/or the chapter president at recamftpresident@gmail.com.
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