Who I am
Hi! I am a fat activist, and clinical social worker. Since 2003 I’ve been doing group and individual psychotherapy through the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, treating people with co-occurring substance use disorders and eating disorders as well as people with new-onset SUDs and compulsions following weight loss surgery. This website is for my private practice, now completely virtual, where I work with people diagnosed with binge eating disorder, people tired of chronic dieting, and people dealing with various problems following weight loss surgery. In short, I help people learn how to ally with their bodies rather than view them as a problem to be solved. And I love my work!
What is Health At Every Size?
Health at Every Size™ is a way of thinking about and taking care of your health and your body that stands in contrast to the currently dominant ‘weight-centered’ paradigm that causes difficulties and suffering for so many of us. HAES encourages people to focus on health-enhancing behaviors rather than the number on the scale, since the evidence shows that people do not need to lose weight in order to improve their health and well-being. Health At Every Size honors size diversity, understands that health is multidimensional and that there is a lot more influencing our health than just the things we can directly control. HAES is about learning how to take good care of the body you have now, in the context of the life you are living now with all its challenges. Health at Every Size has a growing evidence base and you can learn more about it through the Association for Size Diversity and Health website: https://www.sizediversityandhealth.org/
‘I want to be your friend.’
It took a long breath. And replied,
‘I’ve been waiting my whole life for this.’ Nayyirah Waheed
Accountability Statement
As someone who lives with many privileges, I am committed to the ongoing process of unlearning the ways systems of oppression inform my practice. In addition to writing section on treatment of eating disorders for the Institute of Healing and Justice in Medicine, here’s what I’m currently reading/watching/listening to:
