OUR COMMITMENT TO
AN ANTI-OPPRESSIVE PRACTICE
Profound inequities exist within the eating disorders field for both providers and patients alike. Currently, racial, sexual, and gender minorities and those in larger bodies are as likely and in some instances more likely to have an eating disorder, yet remain less likely to be diagnosed with and treated for one. Currently, the majority of eating disorder providers are thin, white, cis-gender, heterosexual women. The lack of diversity at the professional level reinforces the very barriers to adequately diagnosing and treating our clients appropriately.
As a leader and business owner in the eating disorders field I have not adequately prioritized addressing these inequities in my work. Implicit bias, unexamined racism, and a lack of prioritization on my part has contributed to the marginalization of folks with non-dominant identities.
The purpose of this statement is three-fold:
- Identify myself and my business as part of the larger systemic issues which recreate harm to clients and clinicians who identify as having non-dominant identities.
- Clearly state my commitment to anti-oppressive practices and prioritizing equity within the eating disorders field.
- Describe action steps I am and will be taking to promote personal, organizational, and systemic change.
I understand that a commitment to anti-oppression work means that the work is never done. It means that my efforts will be imperfect. I am engaged in a lifelong commitment to embracing principles and actions that centers equity and challenges racism, sizeism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and ableism in all of its forms.
As a team we strive to embrace the principles of:
Humility: we acknowledge that despite our best efforts we will make mistakes in our anti-oppression work but will remain open to feedback and a continued process of learning and unlearning.
Listening: we know that individuals with lived experience have much to teach us. We prioritize our client’s lived experience alongside our formal training or our own lived experience.
Intersectionality: healing can only be possible when a person’s whole self is welcome, considered, and centered.
While words are important, they remain hollow if not supported by meaningful action. Below is a list of some action steps I am taking to create greater equity.
- Engaging in regular and long-term paid consultation with BIPOC providers and anti-oppression professionals. I am currently working with Ayana Habtemariam whose keen assessment of my business and recommendations for how to center it around equity has shaped all of my meaningful actions towards positive change.
- Providing paid consultation to BIPOC dietitians to review and evaluate my online courses for inclusivity of BIPOC experiences and appropriate treatment modalities.
- Providing paid consultation to LGBTQIA+ clinicians to review and evaluate my online courses for inclusivity of LGBTQIA+ experiences and appropriate treatment modalities.
- Providing paid monthly FB Live hostings for individuals with non-dominant identities to my private Food and Body Images Healers Group for clinicians.
- Providing free clinical supervision for BIPOC dietitians.
- Participating in group practice training on Cultivating Inclusive Treatment for Eating Disorders in the LGBTQIA+ Community from the team at ThirdwheelED.
- Paid consultation from Ayana and ThirdwheelED to update language on assessment paperwork and website.
- Participation in Boston Eating Disorder Equity group.
- Working with Lisa Pearl and Simmons University to develop scholarships for BIPOC students.
- Financial donations to advocates and clinicians in the space of eating disorders, mental health, and body liberation for marginalized populations.
I appreciate you taking the time to read this statement. I consider it a working document which will be updated and edited over time. I am open to being held accountable for this work and receiving feedback on how to do better.
In solidarity,
