​Body Image, Weight Stigma & Disordered Eating
​ Talks and Workshops​​

UPDATE - I'll be running a workshop at the online Pluralistic Practice Conference on Saturday 2nd June 2023 - find out more here.

I'll also be a speaker at the National Counsellor's Day Conference (also online) on 24th June 2023 - find out more here. 

​Body Acceptance Workshops online

***Next dates TBC for 2023 - watch this space!***
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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
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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 a counsellor in training, due to qualify in 2023, 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 currently run creative writing workshops for people affected by homelessness too.

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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.

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Thank you so much to both of you for the excellent workshop. I learnt so much that will help me in my own life and in my work. It’s obvious you are both passionate about the work you do. I look forward to further workshops.

Body Acceptance Workshop attendee - July 2022

​Weight Stigma, Body Image and Disordered Eating Workshops

​This online workshop is for:

• Counsellors and psychotherapists (and trainees), other mental health workers and support workers, volunteers and befrienders, dietitians, nutritionists, fitness professionals, and anyone else working with people who may be affected by disordered eating and body image issues.
• People who want to learn more for their personal interest/self-development, or to help support family/friends (it’s recommended to do my Body Acceptance Workshop first)
• Anyone who would benefit from learning more about disordered eating, weight stigma and body image to aid their studies or professional development
In this workshop, you’ll learn more about disordered eating, body image problems and weight stigma. We’ll break down these terms (and explain the difference between eating disorders and disordered eating) and look at the impact of weight stigma (weight bias/discrimination) and fatphobia.
We’ll be looking at wider social and cultural factors, taking a “big picture” approach to understanding the context of weight stigma and disordered eating, as well as ways we can help challenge our personal biases and in turn help support others.


This two-hour workshop will include:
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• Why learning about disordered eating, body image and weight stigma is so important
• Causes of eating and body image distress
• The difference between eating disorders and disordered eating, and the issue with BMI
• The breadth of disordered eating and the current limitations and barriers to accessing help
• The impact of weight stigma and fatphobia in society, and on individuals and professionals
• Societal, cultural and systemic influences/issues
• Ideas and suggestions to challenge our own biases and help tackle weight stigma and fatphobia

• Ways to support others, practical tips for practitioners, and recommendations for continued learning

***Dates for 2023 TBC***
Please join my mailing list at the bottom of the page to be notified of upcoming workshops.

Previous workshops/talks

• Guest lecturer, University of South Wales - Body image, weight stigma and disordered eating 
• Online body image workshops for First Steps ED
• Online Body positivity talk for Pride at the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) 
• Training modules on body image and weight stigma for an eating disorder training provider 
• Gender inequality and objectification in the media talk for AdBlock Bristol
• Domestic violence perpetrator group facilitation
• Creative writing workshops in conjunction with Arkbound and InHope

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My experience
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• 6+ years working in eating disorder charities, 10+ years working in mental health
• Lived experience of body image, food difficulties and weight stigma
• Published writer - Therapy Today, Metro, HuffPost
• A therapeutic understanding and background, and a compassionate approach to my work
• Group facilitation experience - creating a safe, comfortable and boundaried environment
• Engaging, fun and "down to Earth" workshops and talks (cos it doesn't all have to be serious, right?)

To book me as a speaker, or for bespoke training, please get in touch through my contact page.