3-Part Series
Aug 7,9,10
How to Be Harm Reduction and Person Centered When Clients Want Weight Loss
Brought by popular demand - now with additional content!
Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking event focused on exploring the complex dynamics of weight-loss conversations within the context of harm reduction and person-centered care. In this Part 2 session, we will delve deeper into the challenges faced by both providers and individuals with lived experiences when weight loss becomes a priority.
3 Part Event Format
Part 1: What is Harm Reduction and
Patience-Centered Care?
Monday Aug 7th
4:30pm PST/7:30pm EST
Part 2: Seeking Safety in an Unsafe World
Wednesday Aug 9th
4:30pm PST/7:30pm EST
Part 3: Case Consultation Session
Thursday Aug 10th
4:30pm PST/7:30pm EST
Event Details
Weight-loss is highly desired by many in our current world. In the last 100 years there has been a rapid change towards weight management like never before in human history. Through colonization, globalization and biomedicine, the pressure of acquiring a “correct” embodiment has reached most parts of the world (if not all.) Anti-fatness began in the 18th century as a means of creating hierarchical class and racial distinctions and has since disseminated widely and cemented in the medical world. The effects of weight stigma have been devastating and have increased mortality risk by nearly 60%. Although there is no long-term weight-loss evidence-based method, doctors continue to prescribe and require weight-loss from their patients.
There are many reasons individuals are seeking weight-loss even within liberatory and body-positive spaces. Reasons may include:
Individuals pursuing gender and life-affirming procedures hit a roadblock when their medical provider requires them to lose weight.
Many are deep within their eating disorder.
Other folks might be attempting to alleviate some of the violent fatphobia they experience and live less oppressive lives.
These are all circumstances that many individuals encounter and although most medical providers welcome and encourage weight-loss, most providers are not eating disorder informed or aware of the harms of weight-discrimination. Many times, clients who are engaging in weight-loss behaviors are left without sensitive and interdisciplinary providers.
Within the HAES community there often exists a rigid standpoint on weight-loss that has outcast individuals who pursue weight reduction or lose weight. This rigidity has blocked more nuisance conversations that touch on the subject of self-determination. How can providers aligned with fat liberation and harm reduction to better serve individuals pursuing weight-loss? How can eating disorders and HAES providers sacredly hold space for clients who may ultimately be in lonely and painful circumstances?
This event will be a rare opportunity to create consciousness on a very pressing matter. Join harm reductionists Wednesdae Reim Ifrach and Gloria Lucas to learn about ways providers can better serve clients in the intersections.
Disclaimers
Our goal is not to encourage providers to push weight-loss on clients.
Our goal is not to undermine weight neutrality or anti-diet movements.
Our goal is to help people incorporate harm reduction in all client-centered work even when a client is asking for something we’ve been trained to deny them support with.
Event Details
Part 1: What is Harm Reduction and Patience-Centered Care?
In Part 1 of our event series on weight loss conversations within the context of harm reduction and person-centered care, we will explore the roots of harm reduction as a radical BIPOC politic that predates the non-profit industrial complex. During this session, we will delve into the concept of radical compassion and its powerful role in survivorship against all odds. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of harm reduction as a philosophy and approach that centers the needs and autonomy of individuals, particularly those from marginalized communities.
Part 2: Seeking Safety in an Unsafe World
This session will delve into the intricate challenges faced by both providers and individuals with lived experiences when weight loss becomes a priority.How do we navigate the conflicting truths that exist when weight loss is known to be ineffective, yet it offers a potential sense of safety in a fatphobic world? This session will delve deeper into this conundrum and explore strategies for finding common ground. Safety is often elusive in an inherently unsafe world, and being fat or possessing multiple marginalized identities further compounds the lack of safety. We will engage in an open dialogue to understand the challenges faced by clients in maintaining safety and explore ways to address them.
Part 3: Case Consultation Session
This session offers a unique opportunity for attendees to receive comprehensive clinical feedback and guidance on weight loss cases, while also benefiting from the invaluable insights of individuals with lived experiences. Participants will have the chance to present their weight loss cases and engage in collaborative discussions with the facilitators and other attendees. Drawing on their expertise and diverse perspectives, the facilitators will provide personalized recommendations and suggestions tailored to each case, fostering a deeper understanding of how to navigate weight-loss conversations while prioritizing harm reduction and person-centered care.
Themes to be Explored
Reconciling opposing truths:
In a world where weight loss is known to be ineffective yet can offer a sense of safety in a fatphobic society, how can we navigate the conflicting truths that have the potential to both protect and harm individuals? We will delve deeper into this conundrum and discuss strategies for finding common ground.
The illusion of safety:
Safety is often elusive in an inherently unsafe world, and being fat or possessing multiple marginalized identities further compounds the lack of safety. We will engage in an open dialogue to understand the challenges faced by clients in maintaining safety and explore ways to address them.
The least harmful approach:
Various approaches to weight loss will be discussed, including over-the-counter and prescription diet pills, medical interventions like Ozempic, exercise, and dietary changes. We will thoroughly examine the risks and benefits of each approach and consider factors such as affordability, accessibility to diverse healthcare professionals, and individual needs.
Individualizing care:
Every client is unique, and their circumstances necessitate personalized considerations. We will explore how to tailor weight loss conversations based on factors such as medical stability, therapy engagement, and harm reduction practices. Attendees will gain insights into navigating these complex dynamics on a case-by-case basis.
Themes to be Explored
The role of therapy, HAES, and intuitive eating:
We will delve into the potential benefits and drawbacks of incorporating Health at Every Size (HAES) and intuitive eating frameworks into therapy. We will also address the influence of privilege and personal circumstances on the effectiveness of these approaches. Alternative concepts such as mechanical eating and mindful eating will be explored as well.
Cultivating compassion, curiosity, and empathy:
Participants will learn strategies for fostering compassion, curiosity, and empathy when clients express a desire for weight loss. We will delve into the importance of maintaining person-centered care while upholding our own values and beliefs, facilitating a more supportive and inclusive therapeutic environment.
Integrating lived experiences:
The event facilitators, a bariatric surgery survivor, and a person living with bulimia and practicing harm reduction will share their personal journeys and reflections on fatness and anti-fatness. Attendees will be encouraged to bring their own lived experiences to the table, fostering a safe space for open discussions and a deeper exploration of these important topics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, we understand the importance of accessibility and flexibility for our participants. Therefore, all sessions will be recorded and made available to registered attendees. You will have the opportunity to access the recordings for a period of 6 months from the release dates.
To ensure you receive the recordings, they will be sent to you via email after the live events. Please be sure to check your email's spam and promotions folder to ensure you don't miss any important communication from us.
Scholarship application has closed.
At the moment, we do not.
Our 3 sessions will be held via zoom and a different platform.Our first 2 sessions will not provide live captions but captions will be provided in the recording. The final session will be hosted in zoom which will have live captions. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please email us with any other special accommodation at npppride@gmail.com
Yes, we do. Pls email us at npppride@gmail.com
Yes, and you will receive all recordings.
Yes, including recordings.