About the event: Research shows that peer support can improve quality of life and decrease psychiatric symptoms associated with a variety of conditions—including eating disorders. During eating disorder treatment, it’s essential for providers to build trust with a patient, but this can be exceedingly difficult. Mentorship adds an element of lived experience that helps enhance trust-building, and has a positive impact on both patient and clinician experience.
This presentation will bring together voices of lived experience and clinical expertise to demonstrate the benefits of integrating mentorship into eating disorder treatment.
Attendees of this presentation will walk away with knowledge of the current research and practices around mentorship in eating disorder treatment, and an understanding of the impact it can have on their patients’ recovery.
There will be time for Q&A.
Learning objectives: After participating in this session, attendees should be able to:
- Describe the current research on mentorship and peer support as an evidence-informed practice.
- Name 2-3 specific ways mentorship and peer support can be incorporated in eating disorder treatment.
- Identify specific examples of how mentorship can support eating disorder recovery.
Accreditation information:
- Eligible providers who attend the webinar will be eligible for up to 1 credit through ACCME or APA.
- Equip designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity
Lainy Clark, MA, LPC received her Master of Counseling degree at Dallas Baptist University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in multiple states and works as a clinical supervisor for Equip Health. She has received specialized training in Family Based Treatment, Emotion Family Focused Therapy, Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders, Adolescent Focused Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Before joining Equip, Lainy worked in multiple levels of care including IOP, PHP and outpatient mental health treatment centers. Lainy is passionate about helping individuals heal from the oppressive forces of diet culture. She incorporates the principles of Health at Every Size (HAES) into her work with clients looking to recover from disordered eating and heal from their fight with body image. Lainy is a native Texan who resides in the Dallas area with her partner, two toddlers, and two dogs.
JD Ouellette is a passionate advocate and leader in the field of eating disorder recovery, leveraging both professional expertise and personal experience to transform lives. As Equip’s Director of Lived Experience, JD oversees initiatives that prioritize mentorship, psychoeducation, and skills coaching for families navigating a loved one with an eating disorder. Her journey into this field began in 2012, when her youngest child was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. Inspired by her family’s success with early, evidence-based intervention, JD has dedicated her career to ensuring that all families can access the same quality of care and support.
Professional Experience
Director of Lived Experience, Equip (2022–Present)
JD leads Equip’s lived experience programming, integrating family mentorship and psychoeducation into evidence-based treatment. Her innovative approach ensures families feel supported and empowered throughout the recovery process.
Peer Coach (2019–Present)
JD has worked directly with families, offering personalized guidance and practical skills to help them advocate for their loved ones and navigate complex treatment systems.
Senior Program Director, Allied Health Programs, Brightwood College (2013–2018)
JD directed programs for medical assistants, pharmacy technicians, and medical billing. She achieved top performance metrics, developed innovative curricula, and fostered student and instructor success.
Contributions and Thought Leadership
JD is a co-founder of World Eating Disorders Action Day, an international movement to raise awareness about eating disorders. She is a frequent speaker at conferences, including the International Conference on Eating Disorders and the National Eating Disorders Association Conference. Her work has shaped legislation through advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and influenced clinical practices worldwide.
Volunteer and Advocacy Work
- Co-Chair, World Eating Disorders Action Day
- Board Member, Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders (F.E.A.S.T.)
- Parent Mentor and Advisory Council Member, UC San Diego Eating Disorders Center
Personal Life
JD resides in California, where she continues to channel her energy into advocacy and mentorship. Her work is deeply rooted in her commitment to ensuring that no family faces eating disorder treatment alone.
Maris Degener is a passionate advocate for eating disorder recovery and mental health awareness, combining her lived experience with professional expertise to support others in their healing journeys. Currently serving as the Director of Peer Mentorship at Equip, Maris leads initiatives to expand access to evidence-based treatment and peer support, ensuring that individuals of all ages and backgrounds receive compassionate care.
Maris’s dedication stems from her own recovery journey, which was documented in the acclaimed film I Am Maris, formerly available on Netflix. The documentary showcases her use of yoga, art, and storytelling as tools for healing, and her commitment to destigmatizing conversations around mental health.
As a certified yoga instructor, Maris leverages the practice to guide others toward self-acceptance and resilience. Her work emphasizes the importance of integrating mindfulness and community into recovery, fostering environments where individuals feel empowered and understood.
Advocacy and Outreach
Maris actively promotes mental health awareness through writing, speaking engagements, and teaching yoga. Her work often intersects with themes of body image, mindfulness, and social justice, reflecting her commitment to creating equitable care for all.
Personal Interests
Beyond her professional endeavors, Maris enjoys painting, spending time in nature, and sharing her journey through creative writing. Her advocacy extends to digital platforms, where she continues to inspire individuals by demonstrating that recovery is both possible and empowering. Find more of Maris' endevours on her Instagram and LinkedIn.
Registration cost:Free
We currently offer Continuing Education credits to:
- Physicians (ACCME)
- Licensed psychologists (APA)
- Dietitians and other medical or mental health providers can request to obtain credit through, and at the discretion of, their licensing or credentialing organization
Available CE credits:
- 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
- 1 APA CE Credit
- 1 CDR CPEU Lecture Hour
Additional CE information
Refund policy: This activity is offered free of charge.
Target audience: The target audience for this presentation includes medical doctors, nurse practitioners, registered dietitians, therapists, case managers, and other health care providers.
Learning format / activity type: Live activity
Continuing Education accreditation:
APA: Equip is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor Continuing Education for psychologists. Equip maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
ACCME: Equip is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Other healthcare professionals: We are happy to provide a certificate of attendance for all providers who stayed for the duration of the activity, however, it is up to the individual attendee to determine whether this activity meets the Continuing Education requirements of their licensing or credentialing organization. Please check your state’s rules and regulations for more information regarding your Continuing Education requirements.
Attendance: Full attendance is required to earn Continuing Education credit through the APA. It is up to each individual attendee to determine whether this activity meets the Continuing Education requirements of their licensing or credentialing organization. Please check your state’s rules and regulations for more information regarding your Continuing Education requirements.
Disclosures:
- Equip receives no commercial funding for these activities.
- The presenter(s) mentioned above, faculty for this educational activity, have no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose. Natalia Orloff, PhD, Jessie Menzel, PhD, and Angela Celio Doyle, PhD, FAED, planners for this educational activity, have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.
- Maria La Via, MD, planner for this educational activity, owns individual stock in the following ineligible companies: Danahar, Gilead, 3M, GSK, Merck, Seres Therapeutics, Solventum, Novavax, Organon, Pfizer, and Viatris. All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.
Questions?
Contact ce@equip.health