An Introduction to Eating Disorders
For Allied Health Practitioners
This two-part webinar series aims to equip allied health practitioners with a strong foundation for recognising, understanding, and responding to disordered eating and eating disorders across diverse client presentations. Join Christina as she explores the spectrum of eating concerns, early identification strategies, and the duty of care required when supporting all clients. Designed specifically for AHL practitioners, this series supports clinicians in developing the foundational skills to reduce harm and to better support those who present with eating concerns.
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Learning Outcomes
Webinar 1 - Foundations of Working with Eating Disorders
1. Disordered Eating vs. Eating Disorders
- Explore the continuum of eating concerns
- Understand why weight is not recommended as a screening tool
- Explore more appropriate and helpful screening options
1. Disordered Eating vs. Eating Disorders
- Explore the continuum of eating concerns
- Understand why weight is not recommended as a screening tool
- Explore more appropriate and helpful screening options
2. Early Warning Signs & Clinical Red Flags
- Be able to identify the behavioural, cognitive, emotional and physical signs and symptoms of eating disorders
- Explore the traffic light model to assist in clinical decision making
- Be able to identify the behavioural, cognitive, emotional and physical signs and symptoms of eating disorders
- Explore the traffic light model to assist in clinical decision making
3. Having the Conversation
- Identify the basic communication principles required when working with this population
- Identify the basic communication principles required when working with this population
4. Escalation of Care
- Identify key situations which require a GP review
- Understand your role as an Allied Health Professional
- Be able to confidently assess whether your client needs immediate referral and understand your duty of care
5. Safe Multidisciplinary Care
- Explore the core care team of someone living with an eating disorder and understand their individual roles
- Understand the role of medical monitoring and why it is required
- Become confident working in a MDT and understand your role within the team
Webinar 2 - Anorexia Nervosa & Binge Eating Disorder
1. How do these presentations typically show up in practice?
- Explore the diagnostic overview of Anorexia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder
- Know which behaviours and patterns to look out for in all clients
- Understand the psychological and social drivers behind eating concerns and why it isn't as simple as 'just eating more'
2. Where is risk commonly missed?
- Explore the common atypical presentations
- Recognise where things are commonly missed within clinical practice and what to do about it
- Identify long term disease risk associated with mismanaged eating disorders
3. What does appropriate within-scope nutrition support look like?
- Explore the concept of stabilisation, consistency and safety
- Understand what is within the scope of practice of an AHL practitioner
- Be able to work within the MDT appropriately and effectively
- Identify key situations which require a GP review
- Understand your role as an Allied Health Professional
- Be able to confidently assess whether your client needs immediate referral and understand your duty of care
5. Safe Multidisciplinary Care
- Explore the core care team of someone living with an eating disorder and understand their individual roles
- Understand the role of medical monitoring and why it is required
- Become confident working in a MDT and understand your role within the team
Webinar 2 - Anorexia Nervosa & Binge Eating Disorder
1. How do these presentations typically show up in practice?
- Explore the diagnostic overview of Anorexia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder
- Know which behaviours and patterns to look out for in all clients
- Understand the psychological and social drivers behind eating concerns and why it isn't as simple as 'just eating more'
2. Where is risk commonly missed?
- Explore the common atypical presentations
- Recognise where things are commonly missed within clinical practice and what to do about it
- Identify long term disease risk associated with mismanaged eating disorders
3. What does appropriate within-scope nutrition support look like?
- Explore the concept of stabilisation, consistency and safety
- Understand what is within the scope of practice of an AHL practitioner
- Be able to work within the MDT appropriately and effectively
Meet the speaker
Christina Mollenhauer
Accredited Practicing Dietitian & Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician
Eating Disorder Dietitian & Body Image Specialist
Christina Mollenhauer is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Credentialed Eating Disorder Dietitian who supports individuals to heal their relationship with food and body, rebuild trust with themselves, and find freedom from disordered eating.
With a Master of Dietetic Studies and a Bachelor of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Christina combines evidence-based nutrition care with a compassionate, trauma-informed approach. She has undertaken specialist training in eating disorder treatment, women’s health, and gut health, allowing her to support clients holistically through the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of recovery.
Christina’s passion for this work comes from her own lived experience. Having once felt consumed by food rules, body dissatisfaction, and the pursuit of perfection, she deeply understands how difficult — and courageous — the recovery process can be. Her personal journey taught her that true healing isn’t about control, but about reconnecting to your body, rebuilding self-trust, and learning to nourish yourself without fear.
In her practice, Christina works with clients experiencing anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other forms of disordered eating. She focuses on helping them rediscover a sense of safety around food, restore body connection, and cultivate a life beyond the eating disorder.
Alongside her clinical work, Christina shares education and advocacy through her podcast, mentoring, and social media, helping to change the conversation around food, body image, and recovery.
Christina believes that full recovery is possible, and that everyone deserves a peaceful, fulfilling relationship with food and their body.
Patrick Jones - Course author
The WHC acknowledges the Turrbal and Jagera people of the First Nation as the Traditional Custodians of Meanjin (Brisbane). They have resided here long before us and possess valuable traditional wisdom and healthcare knowledge. Our office is situated on their lands, where we gather, work, and learn.
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