Unlearning Diet Culture in the Therapy Room: Reflections, Resources, and Language that Supports Healing
As therapists, we’re taught to hold space for nuance, to meet clients where they are, and to stay curious. But when it comes to food, weight, and body image, so many of us were trained—or socialized—within a culture that pathologizes fatness, glorifies restriction, and defines “health” in deeply narrow terms.
I used to say things like:
“You won’t gain that much weight.”
“You need to stop emotional eating.”
“Everything in moderation.”
And I said them with good intentions. But I’ve since learned how much those well-meaning statements can cause harm—especially to clients who live in larger bodies or are struggling in the aftermath of chronic dieting, shame, or disordered eating patterns.
The truth is: healing our relationship with food and body isn't about control. It's about trust.
How I Started Doing Weight-Inclusive Work
I didn’t always know about Health at Every Size®, Intuitive Eating, or the anti-diet framework. My shift began when I started listening more deeply—not just to clients, but to colleagues, educators, and fat activists who were naming the harm of traditional narratives around weight and health.
Through supervision, books, trainings, and my own personal unlearning, I began to recognize:
Diet culture doesn’t just live in the world—it sneaks into the therapy room.
The ways we talk about food and bodies can either reinforce shame… or offer safety.
That’s when my practice began to shift.
What I Wish I Knew Sooner
That binge eating is often a response, not a failure.
That weight stigma causes harm—even when it’s unintentional.
That our clients deserve compassion, not correction, when talking about food, shame, or embodiment.
That you don’t need to be an eating disorder specialist to talk about food and body image in a way that’s safe, supportive, and weight-inclusive.
Not Sure Where to Start? Here's What Helped Me.
📚 Books:
Anti-Diet by Christy Harrison
The Body Is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor
Reclaiming Body Trust by Hilary Kinavey & Dana Sturtevant
What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat by Aubrey Gordon
🎧 Podcasts:
Maintenance Phase
Food Psych
Fat Doctor Podcast
Body Trust Podcast
These resources helped me build a foundation, find language, and understand the systemic nature of weight stigma in clinical spaces.
Want a Quick, Practical Starting Point?
I created a free guide just for therapists:
“12 Go-To Phrases for Talking About Food & Bodies in Therapy”
It includes:
Phrases to avoid (and why)
Supportive alternatives
Context for how to use each one
Perfect if you want to feel more confident and aligned in sessions—without needing to be an ED expert.
Final Thoughts
If you’re feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or like you “should’ve known better” — please know this: you are not alone. Most of us didn’t learn this in grad school. You’re here. You’re willing to unlearn and do better. That matters. And your clients will feel the difference.
Let’s keep learning together, with curiosity and care.
Want support in this work?
I offer consultation for therapists who want help navigating conversations about food, body image, and weight through a HAES-aligned lens. Learn more about working together here.