LGBTQIA+ Awareness for Eating Disorder Therapists

About this event

The Mind Body Well Eating Disorder Masterclass series offers targeted professional development for allied health practitioners who work with people experiencing eating disorders and weight and shape concerns.

The sessions are suitable for all therapists regardless of experience, however they will assume general knowledge of eating disorder diagnosis and treatment options. Each session will be presented by an experienced Mind Body Well therapist, who will explore the topic through a Health at Every Size® lens, focusing on inclusive and respectful therapeutic approaches which are both evidence based and client centred.

Masterclass #5 will assist eating disorder therapists to develop their understanding of issues relevant to working with clients from LGBTQIA+ communities, including language, identities, and issues of body expression. The webinar will also focus on the principles of inclusive, respectful care for clients with diverse perspectives.

Eating disorders are more prevalent in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer. intersex & asexual (LGBTQIA+) communities than the general population. This is largely the result of exposure to prejudicial attitudes, experiences of discrimination, and pressure to conform to rigid gender norms or medical norms for male & female bodies.

The aim of this masterclass is to support clinicians working with eating disorders to feel more confident in providing affirming care to people with diverse sex characteristics, genders, and/or sexualities. This will include an introduction to LGBTQIA+ identities and language, explanation of minority stress and impact on mental health, and considerations for working with different groups within the LGBTQIA+ community including an overview of gender affirming care.

The webinar will be conducted via Zoom, and a recording will be available for later viewing for those who are unable to attend live.