Clinical Postgraduate Training in TBT-S for Dietitians

The University of Thessaly, through the Center for Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning (KEDIVIM) – University of Thessaly, presents the certified training program:
“Professional Clinical Postgraduate Training in the Temperament Based Therapy with Support (TBT-S) Protocol for Eating Disorders in Adolescents and Adults for Dietitians.”

This program is delivered in auspices and collaboration with the TBT-S Training Institute USA and the Hellenic Center for Eating Disorders.

This program is delivered in auspices and collaboration with the TBT-S Training Institute USA and the Hellenic Center for Eating Disorders.

This is the first worldwide certified professional postgraduate training in the TBT-S protocol specifically designed for dietitians–nutritionists. It addresses a longstanding gap in specialist clinical training in eating-disorder care, in Greece and internationally, by formally integrating dietitians into a structured therapeutic framework. This certified advanced training places dietitians, for the first time at the core of eating disorder (ED) treatment, strengthening and redefining their role within the multidisciplinary team. By focusing on evidence-based clinical skills and structured implementation, the program aims to elevate standards of care and expand access to specialized, consistent, and safe ED interventions.

To provide advanced clinical training in the theoretical foundation and clinical application of Temperament-Based Therapy with Supports (TBT-S) for the effective management of eating disorders in adolescents and adults, grounded in an in-depth understanding of the neurobiological basis of the protocol and supported by specialized, evidence-based clinical skills.

The training builds TBT-S implementation skills tailored to dietetic practice, with emphasis on:

· real-time nutritional intervention within the therapeutic process,

· collaboration with supportive persons (“supports”),

· integration of meal support as a dietetic intervention, and

· strengthening dietitians’ clinical competence within multidisciplinary eating-disorder treatment.

Participants develop practical skills through structured theoretical instruction and supervised clinical practice, including:

· evidence-informed teaching and skills development,

· experiential training and clinical simulations,

· guided work with real clinical cases, and

· ongoing, specialized supervision with continuous feedback.

A distinctive component of the program is live clinical observation via a one-way mirror (dedicated to eating-disorder cases), followed by a stepwise transition into the active dietetic role under supervision.

The program consists of 303 hours of in-person training delivered over 12 months, corresponds to 25 ECTS credits, and covers the clinical nutritional management of eating disorders across:

· children and adolescents (11–17 years),

· adults (17–60+), and

· families and support persons.

It is addressed exclusively to Dietitians–Nutritionists, filling a critical gap in specialized clinical training both in Greece and internationally.

Upon successful completion of all assessment requirements, participants receive dual certification from:

· the Training and Lifelong Learning Center (KEDIVIM) of the University of Thessaly, and

· the TBT-S Training Institute (USA) as TBT-S Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist Practitioner for adolescents and adults.

Graduates also join the international network of certified TBT-S Practitioner, gaining a strong professional advantage in Greece and abroad.

Primary admission is for graduates in Dietetics–Nutrition (universities, technological institutes, colleges), with the program intended primarily for practicing dietitians–nutritionists.

Under specific conditions—and only if positions are not filled by dietitians—Level 1 only (Modules 1–3.1) may be offered to other health professionals (physicians, psychologists, nurses, occupational therapists, mental health counselors, social workers). These participants receive a Certificate of attendance issued by KEDIVIM of the University of Thessaly upon successful completion.

Scientific and academic director of the program has Rena Kosti, Full Professor (Human Nutrition–Epidemiology), Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, and Director of the Laboratory of Nutritional Epidemiology and Community Health (NECH-lab).

Deputy Scientific Director: Odysseas Androutsos, Full Professor (Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics) and Director of the Laboratory of Nutrition & Clinical Dietetics (CND-lab), Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Thessaly.

Lecturers/trainers are TBT-S Certified Trainers and Dietitians of the scientific-therapeutic team of the Hellenic Center for Eating Disorders (official representative of the TBT-S Training Institute, USA). They are researchers and scientists holding postgraduate and/or doctoral degrees, with full training in the TBT-S therapeutic protocol and certified as trainers and supervisors in the TBT-S.