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Understanding Health At Every Size (HAES)

Author : Meganbruce Lcsw | Published On : 18 Mar 2024

Health At Every Size (HAES) is a movement and approach to health and wellness that emphasizes compassionate self-care and focuses on health outcomes rather than weight loss. It challenges the traditional emphasis on weight as a determinant of health and advocates for body acceptance, respect, and appreciation for diverse body shapes and sizes.

What is a Health At Every Size Therapist?

A Health At Every Size therapist is a mental health professional who integrates HAES principles into their practice. They prioritize promoting health behaviors, body acceptance, and self-compassion, regardless of their clients’ body sizes. HAES therapists work collaboratively with their clients to address health concerns without resorting to weight-focused interventions.

How Does HAES Inform Eating Disorder Treatment?

HAES principles are increasingly integrated into eating disorder treatment approaches, recognizing the harmful effects of weight stigma and diet culture on individuals’ well-being. Here’s how HAES informs eating disorder treatment:

  1. Focus on Health, Not Weight: HAES-oriented treatment shifts the focus from weight to health outcomes. Therapists help clients set realistic health goals based on behaviors such as intuitive eating, joyful movement, and self-care, rather than on achieving a specific body size or weight.
  2. Body Acceptance and Self-Compassion: HAES encourages individuals to cultivate a positive body image and practice self-compassion. Therapists support clients in challenging internalized weight bias and developing acceptance and appreciation for their bodies, fostering a healthier relationship with food and exercise.
  3. Intuitive Eating: HAES promotes intuitive eating, which involves listening to the body’s hunger and fullness cues and honoring cravings without judgment. Therapists help clients relearn how to trust their bodies’ signals, reconnect with internal cues, and develop a more peaceful and sustainable relationship with food.
  4. Rejecting Diet Culture: HAES therapists help clients recognize and challenge the harmful messages perpetuated by diet culture, such as equating thinness with health and morality. They support clients in rejecting restrictive dieting practices and embracing a more balanced and flexible approach to eating, free from guilt or shame.
  5. Addressing Weight Stigma: HAES-oriented treatment acknowledges the negative impact of weight stigma on mental and physical health. Therapists work to create a safe and supportive environment where clients feel empowered to prioritize their well-being without fear of judgment or discrimination based on their size.

How is HAES Related to Eating Disorders and Eating Disorder Treatment?

HAES is closely related to eating disorders and their treatment as it offers an alternative paradigm that challenges the weight-centric approach prevalent in traditional models of care. By prioritizing health behaviors, body acceptance, and self-compassion, HAES-informed treatment can help individuals with eating disorders develop a more positive relationship with food, exercise, and their bodies. By addressing the underlying factors contributing to disordered eating, such as weight stigma and dieting behaviors, HAES-oriented therapy supports sustainable recovery and promotes overall well-being.

Meet Therapist Megan Y. Bruce, LCSW

Megan Y. Bruce, LCSW, is a compassionate therapist based in San Francisco, CA, who integrates Health At Every Size principles into her practice. With her expertise and commitment to promoting body acceptance and holistic well-being, Megan provides personalized support and guidance to individuals struggling with eating disorders. If you’re seeking HAES-informed therapy in the San Francisco area, you can contact Megan Y. Bruce at 408.805.4385 to schedule a consultation.

In conclusion, Health At Every Size offers a compassionate and inclusive approach to health and wellness that challenges harmful weight-centric ideologies and promotes body acceptance and self-care. HAES-informed therapists like Megan Y. Bruce prioritize the holistic well-being of their clients, supporting them in developing a healthier relationship with food, exercise, and their bodies, free from shame or judgment based on size.