Psychoanalytic Forum: Eating Difficulties

Eating is the most basic activity of human beings. It manifests in society, family and individuals. We know that eating is the axis for the first emotional experiences within the mother baby relationship. There is a growing awareness about this basic experience and problems that can develop in this area. In addition, eating is also affected by social economy, religion and culture. It is of crucial importance for parents and teachers to develop a constructive attitude towards eating in relation to children and adolecents.

There are a number of approaches to understanding different types of eating disorders and this event aims to provide a better understanding of these issues and the possible ways of dealing with them.

Speakers: Elizabeth Anscombe, Child Psychotherapist (Royal Free Hospital), Dr Arturo Varchevker (Psychoanalyst), chair: Dr Gianna Williams (Psychoanalyst, adults and children).

Elizabeth Anscombe is a Child and Adult Psychoanalyst, since qualifying at the Tavistock Clinic, seven years ago; she has been working at the Royal Free Hospital in the Adolescent Eating Disorders service and also with under 5's with eating and feeding difficulties. Additionally Elizabeth is the course organiser and lecturer at 'On understanding eating disorders from psychodynamic perspective' at the Tavistock Clinic.

Dr Arturo Varchevker has a medical degree that he completed in Argentina. He trained as a psychodynamic psychotherapist at the Tavistock Clinic. He is a fellow of the British Psychoanalytical Society. He chairs Psychoanalytic Forum. He is in private practice and worked in NHS as a psychiatrist with a special interest on trauma in disturbed couples and families. He has co-edited various books: with Edith Hargreaves 'In Pursuit of Psychic Change'; with Eileen McGinley 'Enduring Loss', 'Enduring Migration' and 'Enduring Trauma'. Additionally he has written chapters on Phobias and Acting out, plus a book 'Married Life and its Vicissitudes' that has been published by Karnac last month. He has been teaching martial and family therapy and various psychoanalytic topics in the UK and abroad.

Dr Gianna Williams is a Child and Adult Psychoanalyst at the British Psychoanalytical Society. Former Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and current Visiting Lecturer at the Tavistock Clininc. She's a founder of Tavistock Eating Disorders Workshop and Co-founder of PGDip/MA on Eating Disorders (Tavistiock/UEL). She has written the following publications: 'Internal Landscapes and Foreign Bodies: Eating Disorders and Other Pathologogies' (1997, London, Karnac); 'The Generosity of Acceptance. Volume 1: Feeding Difficulties in Children. Volume 2: Eating Disorders in Adolescence.' (Williams G. at al Eds, 2004, London, Karnac).