About this course

Learning Objectives

• Identify at least 3 risk factors associated with eating disorder development, maintenance, and acceleration for college students.
• Articulate at least 2 possible options for increased support and 2 possible challenges for accessing support for college students with eating disorders
• Verbalize benefits of approaching eating disorder care for collage students with flexibility, creativity and through an intersectional lens.

Learning Levels

• Beginner

Target Audience

Course Instructor(s)

• 

  Katherine McMahon, MSSA, LISW-S, CPACC

  Clinical Trainer and Senior Outpatient Therapist

  Katherine (Katie) McMahon (she/her/hers), MSSA, LISW-S is a Clinical Trainer for Accanto Health and works as an outpatient therapist at Gather Behavioral Health location in Cleveland, Ohio. She has been working in the field of eating disorder treatment since 2015 and concentrates on the utilization of CBT-E for adults. Katie has a special interest in working with clients who are diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder (BED), those who are experiencing body image issues, explore ways to increase inclusive care for marginalized populations and exploring the intersection between chronic health conditions/disability and eating disorders. Katie has experience providing individual therapy and group therapy in both outpatient and higher level of care settings and also serves as a licensure supervisor for social workers in both adult and adolescent residential and PHP settings. As a clinical trainer, Katie has a passion for all things CBT and supporting new and seasoned staff through onboarding, supervision, a bi-weekly CBT-E consult group and a weekly ED fundamentals group for the Midwest region. Prior to her work at TEP, Katie worked in community mental health as both a case manager and a Program Manager, a hospital setting and a free clinic. Katie has a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Bowling Green State University and completed her graduate education at the Case Western Reserve University Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences with a concentration on medical social work.

Disclosure

References

• Tavolacci MP, Ladner J, Déchelotte P. Sharp Increase in Eating Disorders among University Students since the COVID-19 Pandemic. Nutrients. 2021 Sep 28;13(10):3415. doi: 10.3390/nu13103415. PMID: 34684416; PMCID: PMC8537638.
• Christensen KA, Forbush KT, Richson BN, Thomeczek ML, Perko VL, Bjorlie K, Christian K, Ayres J, Wildes JE, Mildrum Chana S. Food insecurity associated with elevated eating disorder symptoms, impairment, and eating disorder diagnoses in an American University student sample before and during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Int J Eat Disord. 2021 Jul;54(7):1213-1223. doi: 10.1002/eat.23517. Epub 2021 Apr 22. PMID: 33885180; PMCID: PMC8250281.
• Hoor Ul Ain, Jaelin Isquith, Kelsie T. Forbush, Kara A. Christensen Pacella, Sensitivity and specificity of self-diagnosis of eating disorders in university students with and without food insecurity, Eating Behaviors, 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2025.102020, 58, (102020), (2025).
• Becker, A. E., A. Hadley Arrindell, A. Perloe, K. Fay, and R. H. Striegel-Moore. 2010. “A Qualitative Study of Perceived Social Barriers to Care for Eating Disorders: Perspectives From Ethnically Diverse Health Care Consumers.” International Journal of Eating Disorders 43, no. 7: 633–647. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.20755.
• Eisenberg, D., E. J. Nicklett, K. Roeder, and N. E. Kirz. 2011. “Eating Disorder Symptoms Among College Students: Prevalence, Persistence, Correlates, and Treatment-Seeking.” Journal of American College Health 59, no. 8: 700–707. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2010.546461.