Home / Education / Education Courses / The Cooking Show for Mental Health Professionals
Return To Courses

The Cooking Show for Mental Health Professionals

Course Open/Close: Dec 7, 2020 - Jan 1, 2025

This three-part, interactive course combines didactic modules and interactive “cooking show” modules are designed to equip health care professionals with a toolkit of tips, recipes, and strategies to make the many connections between food and mental health. The first didactic module will address the scientific evidence supporting the benefits of certain foods to improve mood and the importance of the family dinner. The second didactic module will address foods that ease anxiety and ways to make the experience of eating with others relaxing and enjoyable. The third module will address the issue of hidden sugar in foods and discuss how you can address this with your patients. We will also talk about using storytelling at the table as a way to foster resilience and describe how therapy in the office can be a bridge to family dinners at home.

Available Credits: 5.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ 5.50 Nursing Contact Hours 5.50 Social Workers 5.50 Participation 5.50 Psychologists CE Credit Register For This Course

Course Details

This three-part interactive cooking show is designed to equip health care professionals with a toolkit of tips, recipes, and strategies to make the many connections between food and mental health.

  1. The first didactic module will address the scientific evidence supporting the benefits of certain foods to improve mood and the importance of the family dinner.
  2. The second didactic module will address foods that ease anxiety and ways to make the experience of eating with others relaxing and enjoyable.
  3. The third module will address the issue of hidden sugar in foods and discuss how you can address this with your patients. We will also talk about using storytelling at the table as a way to foster resilience and describe how therapy in the office can be a bridge to family dinners at home.

Course content is available upon registration. Attendees will complete the 3 course activities at their own pace then can maintain access to the materials for review until December 31, 2024.

Please note: Upon registering for the Cooking Show, you will receive a sign up notification via email. The email includes a coupon code that can be applied towards the subsequent program linked here: Primer in Nutritional Psychiatry: MGH Certification In Nutrition & Mental Health.

Pricing

All Providers: $300

Cancellation Policy

Refunds will be issued for requests received within 5 business days of purchase, but an administrative fee of $35.00 will be deducted from your refund. No refunds will be made thereafter. Additionally, no refunds will be made for individuals who claim credit, regardless of when they request a refund.

Course Summary

Available Credits:5.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ 5.50 Nursing Contact Hours 5.50 Social Workers 5.50 Participation 5.50 Psychologists CE Credit
Course Topic:Child & Family
Course Format:On-Demand Course
Target Audience:

This program is intended for: psychiatrists, psychologists, primary care and family practice physicians, pediatricians, nurses, physician assistants, and social workers.

Course Opens: Dec 7, 2020
Course Closes: Jan 1, 2025
Cost: $300.00

Learning Objectives


By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

  • Describe how evidence-based nutrition can be part of a comprehensive treatment plan
  • Discuss the benefits of healthy eating and cooking
  • Explain the research on the mental health, cognitive and nutritional benefits to family dinner
  • Describe 4 interventions that clinicians can use to harness the benefits of family dinners with their patients
  • Explain how you would introduce the topic of shared family mealtime in a clinical hour
  • Explain how you would bring up the topic of nutrition in a clinical hour
  • Identify 10 foods that are mood-enhacing
  • Identify 10 foods that are stress-reducing
  • Identify several common foods that contain hidden sugars

After this module/week, participants should be able to:

WEEK 1

  • List foods/ingredients that can help mood symptoms
  • Explain some simple dietary changes/tips to their patients to help improve symptoms
  • Explain the gut-brain axis in mental health
  • Discuss how to play games at the dinner table that spark conversation in children of all ages (e.g. “Would you rather…?”)
  • List at least 10 different nutritional, cognitive and mental health benefits derived from regular family dinners, reported in the scientific literature.
  • Use four strategies that bridge family therapy from the office to the home.
  • Describe two ways of experimenting with roles and behavior around mealtime preparation and eating.

WEEK 2

  • List foods/ingredients that can help anxiety symptoms.
  • List foods/ingredients that patients with anxiety should be cautious of
  • Discuss a lifestyle “prescription” with their patients
  • Describe what is meant by a “family dinner” and how the family dinner is beneficial to patients and families
  • Explain when referral to a e.g. Nutritionist or Functional Medicine Doctor would be indicated

WEEK 3

  • Discuss the hidden sugars that are often found in foods and how to coach patients to reduce sugar in their diets
  • Identify easy, quick and healthy meals with ingredients that could benefit mental health and well-being
  • Describe the benefits of organic produce, and learn how herbs & spices can boost flavor and well being
  • Identify several meals that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less to benefit both busy health professionals and their patients.
  • Describe the connection between resilience and storytelling and practice storytelling at the dinner table
  • Discuss techniques for conversation that go beyond: “How was your day?” that can be shared with families in therapy
Register For This Course

We have a dedicated staff member who is available by phone 5 days per week between 8 am and 5 pm by calling 866-644-7792 or email at mghcme@mgh.harvard.edu. All inquiries will be dealt with in a timely  (within one business day) and professional manner. Requests for credits or refunds will be reviewed by the Director of the Division of Professional and Public Education, Massachusetts General Hospital. Please refer to our cancellation policy for additional information.”