Dietitian Course: Metabolic Psychiatry: Therapeutic Nutrition for Major Mental Illness

METABOLIC PSYCHIATRY: THERAPEUTIC NUTRITION FOR MAJOR MENTAL ILLNESS

Metabolic psychiatry is a burgeoning area of research in the nutrition and mental health space, but it differs significantly from nutritional psychiatry and from conventional dietary advice for individuals struggling with mental health challenges.

In this webinar, we will unpack the theories about how a metabolic approach may target some of the underlying dysfunction in mental illness, explain the state of the science on its effectiveness in a variety of mental illnesses, and discuss a dietitian’s role in helping clients who may wish to consider a metabolic or ketogenic approach to mental illness.

Participants will leave with key information about when a metabolic psychiatry approach may be appropriate and when it is contraindicated, talking points to consider with clients who may be interested in this approach, and sample menus that can be tailored to your client.

Upon successful completion of this one-hour course, the participant should be able to:

Explain the metabolic theory of major mental illness.

Explain the theoreticalrole of mitochondrial dysfunction, blood-brain barrier function, inflammation, and oxidative stress in mental illness.

Describe the role of the RD in supporting clients who wish to pursue a metabolic approach to managing mental illness.

Live Webinar Date: Jun 24, 2026 (04:00 PM - 05:00 PM Eastern Time) (US and Canada)

Performance Indicators/Learning Objectives: 7.2.3, 7.2.4, 9.2.1, 9.2.3

Target Audience: RDs, DTRs, Health Professionals

Number of Credits: 1.0

Total Cost: 1 Site Credit

About the Presenter: Erica Golden, RDN, LD, IFNCP

Erica Golden, RDN, LD, IFNCP is a registered dietitian nutritionist with a passion for mental health and gut health (and the interplay between the two). Through a weight-inclusive, trauma-informed approach, she helps her patients soothe and heal their digestive systems, fuel healthy hormones and neurotransmitters, support a calm and resilient nervous system, correct deficiencies and imbalances, and improve their relationship with food.

Erica specializes in conditions including depression, anxiety, IBS, and eating disorders. She authored the brand-new book Nutrition and Mental Health: Integrative Approaches for Diet, Dysfunction and the Gut-Brain Axis. She believes that whether clients are dealing with an eating disorder, a damaged or difficult relationship with food, abdominal pain or bloating, depression, or anxiety, empathetic and evidence-based nutritional counseling can make all the difference.