When Recovery Feels Out of Reach: Practical Harm Reduction Strategies in Higher Levels of Care - The Renfrew Center

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When Recovery Feels Out of Reach: Practical Harm Reduction Strategies in Higher Levels of Care

When Recovery Feels Out of Reach: Practical Harm Reduction Strategies in Higher Levels of Care

Wednesday, September 30, 2026 • 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (ET)

Free | Professional Webinar
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (ET)

Presented by: Laura McLain, PsyD, BC-TMH - Director of Training, The Renfrew Center

Held Online

Higher levels of care for eating disorders often require balancing safety, structure, and patient autonomy. This webinar explores how to operationalize a harm reduction framework within these settings to enhance engagement, reduce risk, and support meaningful, incremental change – particularly for patients who are ambivalent about recovery. Grounded in a transdiagnostic, emotion-focused treatment philosophy, participants will learn how to move toward a flexible and evidence-based approach that prioritizes safety, values-driven goals, and emotional tolerance. Integrating Renfrew’s Unified Treatment Model for Eating Disorders® and Harm Reduction strategies, participants will learn how to conceptualize eating disorder behaviors, increase patient engagement in their recovery, and tolerate clinical uncertainty while maintaining alignment with treatment standards.

About the Presenter

Laura McLain (she/her), PsyD, BC-TMH, is the Director of Training for The Renfrew Center. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, Northridge and her Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from John F. Kennedy University. Dr. McLain has worked in a variety of settings and with several different populations including children with autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities, emerging adults, depression, anxiety, self-esteem and identity issues, addictions, and relationship issues. She has a decade of experience treating eating disorders with special interest in college students, clients in midlife, co-occurring substance use, understanding and applying research to clinical practice, and managing safety concerns. In addition to her role at Renfrew, she also works in private practice providing clinical supervision and serving individuals suffering with eating disorders, substance use disorders, and trauma. Dr. McLain is an active member of the American Psychological Association (APA), the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (iaedp), is a member of the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) and is a Board Certified Telemental Heath Provider. Dr. McLain has been with The Renfrew Center since 2013.

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