Discussing Weight Stigma in Counselling & Psychotherapy - Leila, Bernie and Mel.
Apr 4, 2022
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Leila, Bernie, and Mel discuss weight stigma in counseling and psychotherapy. They explore the use of the word 'fat' as a neutral descriptor and reclaiming it. They highlight the prevalence of weight stigma and fat phobia in society, emphasizing the need to address biases. The speakers share concerns about unethical practices in counseling and psychotherapy and the importance of training counselors to address weight stigma. They also discuss the impact of the pandemic on therapy and the opportunities it has brought.
Recognize and challenge weight stigma in therapy sessions and the harmful consequences of using stigmatizing language.
Promote body acceptance and address the problems associated with stigmatizing larger bodies to break cycles of shame and disordered eating.
Call for comprehensive education and training for therapists to address weight stigma, fat phobia, and diversity within counseling courses.
Deep dives
Impact of Anti-Factness on Therapy
This episode of the Therapist Connect podcast explores the concept of anti-factness and its impact on therapy. Anti-factness refers to weight stigma and discrimination against individuals who are fat or overweight. The discussion delves into how anti-factness affects therapy sessions and the experiences of clients in larger bodies or with eating disorders. The guests emphasize the importance of allowing fat individuals to choose the terms they use to describe themselves and highlight the harmful consequences of using stigmatizing language such as 'war on obesity' or 'fighting fat.' They call for a greater understanding of the mental health aspect of health and the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses the emotional well-being of individuals in larger bodies.
Challenging Weight Stigma
The conversation in this podcast episode revolves around challenging weight stigma and promoting body acceptance. The guests discuss the problems associated with stigmatizing larger bodies and how it perpetuates cycles of shame, depression, and disordered eating. They highlight the need for education and awareness among healthcare professionals, counselors, and therapists to recognize and address fat phobia. The guests also call for an inclusive approach to health that focuses on overall well-being rather than solely focusing on weight or BMI. They emphasize the importance of supporting the mental health of individuals in larger bodies and creating a safe and accepting environment for clients.
Educating Therapists and Addressing Bias
The episode explores the need for comprehensive education and training for therapists to address weight stigma and fat phobia. The guests discuss their concerns regarding the lack of conversation and awareness around eating disorders, fat phobia, and diversity within counseling courses. They call for a more inclusive approach that incorporates discussions around food relationships, mental health, race, gender, and privilege. The guests highlight the responsibility of counseling institutions and membership bodies, such as BACP, to tackle weight stigma and body biases by removing harmful diet advertisements and incorporating training on fat acceptance and body inclusivity throughout the counseling curriculum.
Importance of Education and Training for Counselors
Education and training for counselors need to explicitly address weight stigma and body acceptance. Currently, counselors, especially those not specialized in eating disorders, are not adequately equipped to support clients in larger bodies. By educating counselors about weight stigma, they can better understand and address the challenges faced by their clients. This is crucial for creating a safe and non-judgmental therapeutic environment.
The Need to Address Privilege and Create Inclusive Spaces
Addressing privilege and creating inclusive spaces is essential in therapy and society. Practical considerations, such as providing appropriate furniture for people in larger bodies, are crucial to ensure accessibility and comfort. Additionally, it is important for therapists to recognize their own privilege and challenge systemic biases. The counseling field needs to actively work on dismantling systemic fat phobia and weight bias by integrating discussions on diversity, equity, and inclusion into training curricula.
