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1.5 CE Credits

• Members - $30
• Non-members - $55
• Students - $15

Workshop Description:

This course explores the pervasive impact of anti-fat bias within mental health systems and clinical practice. Students and professionals will examine the historical, cultural, and systemic roots of fatphobia and how it manifests in mental health care, from diagnostic overshadowing to treatment disparities. Through critical readings, personal reflection, and interactive discussions, participants will learn to identify implicit and explicit biases, challenge harmful narratives about body size, and adopt more inclusive, weight-neutral approaches to mental health care. Emphasis will be placed on social justice, intersectionality, and advocacy, with the goal of cultivating compassionate, equitable, and affirming environments for clients of all sizes.

Workshop Objectives:

1. Recognize and articulate how anti-fat bias manifests in mental health care, including its historical, cultural, and systemic roots.
2. Identify personal and professional biases related to body size and reflect on how these biases may influence therapeutic relationships and clinical decision-making.
3. Evaluate the impact of weight stigma on the mental health and well-being of clients in diverse bodies, especially at the intersections of race, gender, disability, and class.

About the Presenters:

Kayla (She/Her) is a Licensed Therapist, specializing in Fat Activism, Fat Liberation Education and exploring Fat Trauma within the therapy relationship. She is the founder and owner of Intuitive Growth Counseling and provides training to fellow mental health providers on anti-fat bias. Through intuitive eating and becoming a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Kayla was introduced and easily transitioned into body politics. Kayla is passionate about spreading Fat Liberation and facilitates retreats to promote fat community and explore body freedom. The foundation of Kayla's work focuses on social justice and how racism and ableism facilitates body oppression.