Body Image, Eating Disorders, & the Holidays with Jen Gold, LMFT

In this conversation, Jen Gold, a therapist specializing in eating disorders, discusses the complexities of body image and disordered eating, particularly during the holiday season.

Links: 

Entwine Community: ⁠https://entwinecommunity.org/⁠ 

Yellow Chair Collective: ⁠https://yellowchaircollective.com/⁠ 

Takeaways

• Mindfulness practices like walking can help reduce anxiety.
• Body image issues are common but do not always lead to disordered eating.
• Eating disorders can stem from societal pressures and personal experiences.
• Recovery from eating disorders is possible with the right support.
• Dieting often leads to harmful metabolic effects and can trigger disordered eating.
• The holidays can exacerbate body image issues due to societal expectations.
• Family comments about weight can significantly impact self-esteem.
• Empathy is crucial for therapists working with clients with eating disorders.
• Understanding the emotional roots of eating disorders is essential for treatment.
• Food should be viewed as fuel rather than categorized as good or bad. Even kind comments about body image can trigger shame.
• Cultural messaging can deeply affect personal body image perceptions.
• Disordered eating often stems from a desire for acceptance.
• It's important to recognize the insidious nature of societal beauty standards.
• Recovery involves aligning daily actions with personal values.
• Secrecy and shame are common in those with eating disorders.
• Community support is crucial in overcoming negative body image.
• Parents should model healthy attitudes towards food and body image.
• Children notice discrepancies between words and actions regarding body image.
• Focus on the functionality of the body rather than appearance.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Mindfulness Practices
• 03:01 Understanding Eating Disorders
• 05:50 Distinctions: Body Image Issues vs. Disordered Eating
• 08:57 Pathways to Eating Disorders
• 11:59 The Role of Food and Dieting
• 15:02 Holidays and Body Image Challenges
• 17:57 Evolving Perspectives on Eating Disorders
• 21:00 Empathy and Growth as a Therapist
• 23:55 Family Influence on Body Image
• 24:39 The Impact of Body Image on Mental Health
• 30:00 Understanding the Roots of Disordered Eating
• 36:03 Cultural Pressures and the 'New Year, New You' Mentality
• 38:07 Strategies for Combatting Negative Messaging
• 41:06 Raising Body-Positive Children