Shame about excess weight can immobilize people in many areas of their lives. As therapists, we are often invited into our client’s weight struggle either explicitly or implicitly. Here we will address the struggle that therapists and clients have around weight issues, with an emphasis on shame’s critical role. When we aren’t able to recognize and manage our own shame and judgment about excess weight, we can be drawn into the content of what is being said rather than attending to the shame that the client is experiencing. Feeling helpless, we may also offer up simple solutions or avoid the topic altogether.

In an interactive salon format we will collectively explore the psychological and physiological complexities that our overweight clients are facing. Brene Brown's research on shame and empathy will be presented and incorporated into the discussion.

Each participant will have the opportunity to bring questions, cases, and their unique insights to our conversation. Together we will expand our thinking about how to help clients become more attuned to the interplay of weight and shame in their bodies and minds. Join us in creating a community of therapists who are informed and sensitive to the weight-related shame that so many of our clients carry.

See also www.foodforthoughtsalon.org

Fee: $229; $199 for Alliance members