Continuing Education

Intersection of Eating Disorders and Human Trafficking

Understanding Vulnerabilities, Trauma, and Recovery Pathways

Mental Health Education

About The Course

Course Title: Intersection of Eating Disorders and Human Trafficking

Learning Method: Record asynchronous distance (non-interactive). This course includes a recorded video and access to the presented resources.

Amount of CE Credit Offered: 1 credit. ASWB ACE and NBCC.

Fees: This course can be purchased individually for $25 or as part of an annual unlimited continuing education subscription available for $99/year.

Posttest: Following the course, the participant will take a 10 question posttest. A score of 70% correct is required to pass and obtain a certificate. If you do not pass the posttest, it can be re-taken after fully reviewing the materials again.

Certificate of Completion: In order to receive a certificate of completion, you must indicate that you’ve watched the entire video portion of the course, earn a passing grade on the test, and complete the requested course evaluation.

Description of the Course:

Why is understanding this topic important?

1. Shared Vulnerabilities Amplify Risk:

Both eating disorders and human trafficking are rooted in vulnerabilities such as trauma, low self-esteem, and systemic inequities, making it critical to understand how these factors interplay to effectively identify and support at-risk individuals.

2. Improved Survivor Outcomes:

Addressing this intersection equips clinicians and advocates with the knowledge to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed care, helping survivors recover physically, emotionally, and socially while preventing further harm.

3. Raising Awareness in Overlooked Areas:

The connection between these issues is often under-discussed, and spotlighting it increases awareness, reduces stigma, and encourages the development of more targeted interventions and policies.

Learning Objectives:

Recognize Key Indicators and Vulnerabilities: Participants will learn to identify the psychological, social, and systemic factors that make individuals vulnerable to both eating disorders and human trafficking, equipping them to better assess and support at-risk populations.
Apply Trauma-Informed Practices: Participants will gain actionable strategies to create safe, empathetic, and empowering environments for survivors, minimizing re-traumatization while addressing their complex physical, emotional, and social needs.
Utilize Collaborative and Community Resources: Participants will explore tools, resources, and interdisciplinary collaboration techniques that enhance support for survivors, ensuring a well-rounded and sustainable recovery process.

Target Audience:

Mental health professionals and Masters and Clinical level licensees pursuing continuing education.

Content Level:

Both beginning and intermediate-level content are included in this course.

Instructor Bio(s):

Meagan Mitchell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been providing individualized and group instruction for over 8 years.

Meagan Mitchell, LICSW, is currently a Child and Adolescent Therapist and owner of Brain Space Wellness. She is working towards her Play Therapy credential. Meagan is also the founder of Agents of Change Social Work Test Prep – a learning platform and community designed for social workers preparing for their licensing exams.

She loves combining her passion for learning and sharing her knowledge with the social work community. Meagan has a strong interest in tech & and innovation, specifically exploring the intersection of technology with social work practices. She is also passionate about multicultural supervision & and ethics; ensuring diverse voices are heard, understood, and supported in supervision and consultation.

Lastly, Meagan is currently a DSW student at SUNY Buffalo.

Kira Denney

Kira is the Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Pearl Wellness Practice and Clinical Director for Monte Nido Walden in Massachusetts. She is a licensed clinical supervisor and therapist serving individuals with disordered eating, eating disorders, body image, and general mental health concerns in DC, DE, MA, MD, and FL.

In addition to providing direct care, Kira provides individual and group supervision and consultations for other mental health professionals and practice, facilitates psycho-education groups, and contributes her eating disorder, leadership, and management expertise to blogs and podcasts.

Taking a person-centered and cognitive-behavioral (CBT) approach, she guides others to identify their core beliefs and behaviors and helps them develop and implement skills and techniques that best fit their lifestyle, needs, and wants for personal growth.

In Kira’s spare time, you can find her volunteering as the philanthropy chair for her alumni, mentoring psychology students, watching or playing sports, and hanging out with family.

Course Outline:

1) Introduction and Context

Overview of human trafficking and eating disorders.
Importance of understanding their intersection.
Prevalence and misconceptions about human trafficking.

2) Vulnerabilities and Risk Factors

Shared demographics and at-risk populations.
Gender, socioeconomic status, and societal pressures.
Exploitation of vulnerabilities by traffickers.
Psychological and physical control methods used.

3) Trauma and Disordered Eating

Impact of trauma on survivors’ mental health.
Development of eating disorders as a coping mechanism.
Intersection of control, shame, and secrecy in disordered eating.
Key signs and symptoms to assess for disordered eating.

4) Trauma-Informed Care and Assessment Practices

Principles of trauma-informed care for survivors.
Building trust and rapport with clients.
Effective questions for assessing trafficking and eating disorders.
Collaborating with community resources to support survivors.

5) Recovery and Raising Awareness

Addressing survivors’ basic needs and safety first.
Strategies for fostering autonomy and long-term recovery.
The role of community and support networks.
Advocacy and increasing awareness within professional fields.

Course Creation Date: 1/18/25

Requesting Accessibility Accommodations:

Please email [email protected] to request accessibility accommodations.

System Requirements:

The most recent version of Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge browser
Javascript enabled
PDF plugin
Graphic and audio output capability
Broadband internet connection with a minimum speed of 5Mbps (recommended)
TLS 1.2 supported by your web browser

Refund Policy: In general, refunds will not be provided. However, if you do have any concerns or grievances, please contact us at the email address below. Registrants who do not complete their course(s) will not receive a refund. Registrants who purchased the course but did not achieve a passing grade will not receive a refund. The Agents of Change Grievance Policy can be viewed here.

Cancellation Policy: If an Agents of Change Continuing Education course is canceled, a full refund will be provided to all participants.

Please email [email protected] with any questions about the course.

Agents of Change is Approved by ACE

Agents of Change, #1919, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 7/26/2023 – 7/26/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1 continuing education credit.

Agents of Change is Approved by NBCC

Agents of Change has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7620. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Agents of Change is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

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Your Continuing Education Includes

Audio + Visual Content

We design our continuing education to support all learning styles. Each topic includes engaging videos and visual slides. With your purchase, you also get access to on-the-go audio resources.

High Quality Materials

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With your purchase, you'll be invited to the Agents of Change community, a supporting skill building environment. You'll also have access to the Agents of Change team for any questions!