Judging Weight in Therapy: Uncover Bias & Better Support Clients Part 5

'In Conversation' Session 5 (of 5)

Does weight stigma creep into the therapy room without us realising?

Weight stigma and diet culture are everywhere, often influencing how we view bodies—sometimes without us even noticing. In this candid conversation, Kel O’Neill and John (OE) will reflect on how these biases show up in therapy and what we can do to uncover and address them.

Key topics include:
• How implicit judgements about weight might be affecting your practice.
• The influence of diet culture on both therapists and clients.
• How to challenge weight-related assumptions and build safer, more inclusive spaces for all clients.

This session isn’t about assigning blame—it’s about creating space for reflection, curiosity, and growth. With Kel and John’s relaxed and conversational approach, you’ll have the chance to explore these ideas and join the discussion with your own thoughts and questions.

Learning Objective Participants Can Expect From This Event

• Recognise how diet culture may inform your responses to some clients.
• Consider how unconscious bias impact our clients.
• Steps you can take to improve your awareness and understanding.

Who is This Workshop Appropriate For?

• Counsellors and Therapists who are not specialists in the area, and those curious about the topic.

How May This Workshop Impact Your Practice?

• Greater recognition of your biases and the impact of diet culture in therapy, fostering self-awareness and ethical practice.

RECORDING 

This workshop will be recorded and you can use the ticket function to pre-purchase the recording before the event. This will be useful for colleagues who are not able to attend the event live and also for those who attend the event live and want to watch it again.

ZOOM 

This workshop will be hosted on the Zoom meeting platform where we will use our cameras and microphones to interact with each other as a group.

SELF-SELECT FEE

The self-select fee is a radical inclusion policy to open learning for all colleagues. The guide price for this event is £20.00, however, we appreciate that income varies greatly in different locations and circumstances. Please contribute what you can to help us maintain inclusive professional training.

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All the colleagues at ONLINEVENTS and the presenters we collaborate with are committed to working in a manner consistent with the BACP Ethical Framework, which can be accessed on the link below. When registering for this event you are agreeing to be present and interact in a manner that is consistent with this Framework.

https://www.bacp.co.uk/events-and-resources/ethics-and-standards/ethical-framework-for-the-counselling-professions/

Kel O'Neill

About Kel O’Neill

Kel (She/Her) is an experienced Therapist, Educator, and Researcher specialising in Eating Disorders. She brings a unique combination of professional knowledge and lived experience to her work, helping both individuals and professionals navigate the complexities of eating disorders with greater understanding and compassion.

As the co-founder of the LEED (Lived Experiences of Eating Disorders) Research Collective, Kel collaborates on multiple research projects and is deeply committed to improving systemic responses to eating disorders. Her interests include exploring systemic issues in care, challenging the language and narratives around eating disorders, and advocating for better training, awareness, and resources to support professionals and clients.

Kel’s passionate, accessible style makes her a sought-after speaker and trainer. She has delivered workshops and talks to professionals across the UK, providing practical insights and fostering reflective discussions.

Whether through therapy, education, or advocacy, Kel is passionate about creating a world where no one struggling with an eating disorder feels unseen or unsupported.

Website | www.counsellingandtraining.co.uk | www.mentalhealthbites.co.uk

Instagram | kel_mhb