Body Image, Weight Stigma & Disordered Eating
Talks and Workshops
Next workshop - Domestic Abuse and Disordered Eating
With Online Events
*****Save the date - Wednesday 27th October 2023, 10am til 12pm*****
More info to follow
Eating distress and body image issues are so widespread, counsellors are highly likely to come across this in their work. In this workshop, we’ll explore the links between abusive relationships and disordered eating, including any kind of eating distress, eating disorders and body shame. For many people affected by abusive relationships, disordered eating may be a way of coping, but perpetrators may also use food, weight and body shame to control.
Mel works in both domestic abuse services and eating disorders services, and has been exploring the many links and nuances between disordered eating and domestic abuse, as well as body image, body shaming and weight stigma. As Mel works with perpetrators of abuse, this workshop will explore links to disordered eating for both victim/survivors of domestic abuse and perpetrators, as well as children and young people growing up around abuse. No prior knowledge is needed of domestic abuse or disordered eating, as this will be an introduction to learning about both and ways they intersect.
This training is for anyone interested in learning more about disordered eating and body shame, and/or domestic abuse, with an additional focus on perpetrators too.
- For those working in domestic abuse wanting to learn more about disordered eating, or those working with eating disorders/eating distress wanting to learn about domestic abuse.
- For those who work in neither who want to learn about both!
- For students and trainees who’d like an insight into domestic abuse and disordered eating
- For those who are intrigued about working with perpetrators, and interested in male presentations of disordered eating and body image
- To help explore a nuanced and unique approach to thinking about power and control in relation to food and bodies
More info to follow!

Previous workshop
With Online Events
WORKSHOP RECORDING AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE (£9.99 OR INCLUDED WITH MEMBERSHIP WITH ONLINE EVENTS)
Disordered eating and body image issues are so widespread, counsellors are highly likely to come across this in their work. Many people face stigma based on their body size and appearance. Eating disorders are on the rise and treatment services are struggling to accommodate the demand. Many people don’t fit the diagnostic criteria, leaving those struggling with eating and body image to seek out help elsewhere, or cope alone.
In this workshop, we’ll explore disordered eating and body image, and the impact of weight stigma and other intersecting forms of identity (class, gender, disability etc). We’ll look at the wider social and cultural factors, taking a “big picture” approach to understand the context of disordered eating, as well as ways we can help challenge our personal biases and assumptions, and in turn help support others.
Learning Objective Participants Can Expect From This Event
Who is This Workshop Appropriate For?
WORKSHOP RECORDING AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE (£9.99 OR INCLUDED WITH MEMBERSHIP WITH ONLINE EVENTS)
With Online Events
WORKSHOP RECORDING AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE (£9.99 OR INCLUDED WITH MEMBERSHIP WITH ONLINE EVENTS)
Disordered eating and body image issues are so widespread, counsellors are highly likely to come across this in their work. Many people face stigma based on their body size and appearance. Eating disorders are on the rise and treatment services are struggling to accommodate the demand. Many people don’t fit the diagnostic criteria, leaving those struggling with eating and body image to seek out help elsewhere, or cope alone.
In this workshop, we’ll explore disordered eating and body image, and the impact of weight stigma and other intersecting forms of identity (class, gender, disability etc). We’ll look at the wider social and cultural factors, taking a “big picture” approach to understand the context of disordered eating, as well as ways we can help challenge our personal biases and assumptions, and in turn help support others.
Learning Objective Participants Can Expect From This Event
- To help practitioners understand body image and disordered eating, and the impact of weight stigma and fatphobia, as well as other intersecting forms of identity.
- Practitioners will have the opportunity to reflect on their own relationship with food and their bodies, as well as societal narratives and ideals.
- To help prevent and reduce harm caused to those with eating problems or facing appearance-based stigma and discrimination, building on inclusivity in their practice.
Who is This Workshop Appropriate For?
- Anyone working in the helping professions, counsellors and psychotherapists including trainees, and those with an interest for themselves or to support family/friends
WORKSHOP RECORDING AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE (£9.99 OR INCLUDED WITH MEMBERSHIP WITH ONLINE EVENTS)
NEXT BODY ACCEPTANCE WORKSHOP DATE TBC
Learn more about body image, connect to your body through guided meditation and improve your relationship with your body.
This online workshop is for anyone struggling with body image, those wanting to support someone else, or for anyone wanting to learn more about body image.
Every *body* is welcome.
It will be a mix of educational content, reflective questions and short meditation offerings. You don’t need to have any prior knowledge of body image or meditation, and you don’t need to put your camera on if you don’t feel comfortable doing so.
This 2 hour workshop will include:
◦ Why exploring body image is important
◦ Causes of body image problems and the impact
◦ Lived experiences
◦ Weight stigma and dieting
◦ Myth-busting
◦ How we can help improve our relationship with our bodies
◦ How to support others with body image problems
◦ Practical tips and recommendations
Two short guided meditation practices will be led by meditation teacher Lesley Bailey.
Online: via Zoom
Meet the presenters

About Mel
I have been working for eating disorder charities for over 5 years and have a passion for understanding body image, eating distress and weight stigma. My own lived experience of struggling with body image, food and weight stigma plays a big part in my work as a trainer, I feel it goes hand-in-hand with my professional experience to bring enriching and inspiring workshops. I am an Integrative counsellor, and I also work on a Domestic Violence Perpetrator Program as a group facilitator. I run workshops on body image through an eating disorder charity, plus I have created comprehensive body image resources for them. I run creative writing workshops for people affected by homelessness too.
I have been working for eating disorder charities for over 5 years and have a passion for understanding body image, eating distress and weight stigma. My own lived experience of struggling with body image, food and weight stigma plays a big part in my work as a trainer, I feel it goes hand-in-hand with my professional experience to bring enriching and inspiring workshops. I am an Integrative counsellor, and I also work on a Domestic Violence Perpetrator Program as a group facilitator. I run workshops on body image through an eating disorder charity, plus I have created comprehensive body image resources for them. I run creative writing workshops for people affected by homelessness too.

About Lesley Bailey
Lesley is a trained bereavement support worker, a senior administrator and a fundraiser for a local bereavement charity, as well as a Tropic Skincare Ambassador/Leader and a Reiki Master Teacher (Holistic Health Connection).
Lesley says...
"I began learning Reiki for myself back in 1998 until becoming a teacher and now meditation, grounding and being centred are an integral part of my own life and what I share with others. I am happy to have shared online meditation sessions throughout the pandemic but Reiki training, treatments and workshops are now available in person again. My love of natural skincare fits in beautifully with my ‘holistic head’ and led me to be an Independent Ambassador with Tropic Skincare nearly 9 years ago. It gives me the chance to find healthy and planet protective solutions for myself, for those struggling with skincare issues or for people who just want to make more mindful choices. I train and support my lovely team of Ambassadors to do the same.
My work with Stafford & District Bereavement & Loss Support Service since 2014 is both humbling and inspiring. Experiencing losses myself, I understand the importance of having a safe, confidential and caring approach to the support needed at these difficult times. The fundraising aspect of my job is both a passion and a need in order to maintain this free service for our local people."
Find Lesley on Facebook: www.facebook.com/lesley.bailey.58 with links to her Holistic Health Connection and Tropic Skincare pages.