Are you feeling overwhelmed or scared because you don’t know how to help clients and colleagues who struggle with eating disorders?
Many clinicians/staff discover, in the process of conducting their work, that their own client or colleague exhibits eating disorder behaviors, or in some cases, the client/colleague may suddenly disclose they have an eating disorder that’s previously never been discussed. If you haven’t worked directly with eating disorders, addressing and treating them can be anxiety-producing. They can also become more complicated if you know an eating disorder is present but your client/colleague refuses treatment.
When eating disorders occur in diverse folks, the dynamics are made more complex by the marginalization, isolation and stigmatization of those whose identities are not normative in our larger society. They may also have internalized social stigmatization due to their race/ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity, and even deny having an eating disorder. Even if clients identify having an eating disorder, they may feel additional shame because they perceive that they occur exclusively in heterosexual, affluent, caucasian adolescent cis-gender girls. They may also fear judgment or hostility from services.
This is why I have built talks, workshops, and training to address this issue. Eating disorders are more common than we think. I believe that everyone deserves access to tools, training, and support to heal from their eating disorder. I want to help you provide this resource to your client/colleague.
Social Justice
Social justice is my ultimate core value. I take a social justice approach to my work because what our bodies endure on a societal and political level directly impacts our relationships with our bodies and food. Our society holds bodies and food in a cruel and inhumane way, especially for marginalized folks. In fact, our society encourages and even demands an unhealthy relationship with food for thinness.
In my teens and early twenties I battled with anorexia nervosa. As a queer, cisgender, able-bodied woman of color, I struggled in my recovery because my story did not mirror those in mainstream eating disorder textbooks and biographies.Luckily I found voices that resonated with my own life experiences. I was also able to recover because of the many privileges I hold.
A huge gap exists in the treatment services for underrepresented and underserved folks with eating disorders and that is wrong. Despite what society says you have a right to be nourished. You have a right to have food liberation and to have a relationship with your body that works for you. You don’t deserve to have an eating disorder. You deserve a life that is more than your eating disorder.
We connect with others through food and through our body.
Change begins when we can individually and collectively embrace nourishment, our bodies and each other. We all deserve to experience food and body liberation. We all deserve that freedom. It is vital. My life’s calling and social justice spirit came out of this experience.
If you would like to connect about how I can help you, your company, or your team, please schedule a call today.
“I take a social justice approach to my work because what our bodies endure on a societal and political level directly impacts our relationships with our bodies and food. “ ~ Marcella Raimondo, PhD, MPH
“Dr. Raimondo is both an engaging and knowledgeable speaker. Her presentations not only educate attendees about diagnosing and treating eating disorders, but also address myths about demographic stereotypes while informing about who is actually experiencing and receiving treatment for eating disorders. I was in awe of how smoothly she incorporates diversity into every aspect of her presentation, resulting in an incredibly inclusive presentation. She also does an excellent job of discussing personal examples that weave together the intersectionality of eating disorders and identity.“ Florida Psychological Association 2022 Symposium Keynote Address
Jen Evans, PsyD – Licensed Psychologist (PY 8958)
“Marcella was an excellent guest speaker in our class! Her powerful presentation will seed a paradigm shift for so many students in the way they approach diagnosis and treatment, and the inclusive path toward mental health. “
Jennifer Dorsey, MA, Wright Institute Faculty & Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, #114065
“In my decade-long professional relationship with Marcella Raimondo, I have had many opportunities to witness her capacity to hold and facilitate healing with individuals and groups. Her skills are informed by a wise heart and tireless commitment to collective transformation.”
Melvin L. Escobar, LCSW, RYT (he/him); Loving-Kindness: May All Beings Be Happy ; Core Teacher East Bay Meditation Center