Teaching Clinical Psychology Trainees about Weight Bias

Author(s)

Paula M. Brochu, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Women & Therapy

ISSN

1541-0315

Publication Date

12-2018

Abstract

As an assistant professor who teaches clinical psychology trainees about social aspects of behavior, I devote one week to the topic of weight bias. In this class, I rely on the research literature to challenge common myths about “obesity,” demonstrate the pervasiveness and harm of weight bias, and offer recommendations to trainees to apply to their own professional and personal lives. I encourage trainees to shift focus from weight and weight loss to health and well-being and to engage in self-reflection on the role of weight bias in their interactions with others. Here, I describe my weight bias seminar and outline common questions and my responses to them (e.g., Do you actually believe that “obese” people can be healthy?). Weight bias is a neglected topic in most clinical psychology training programs. Weight bias must be addressed in clinical psychology programs to produce culturally competent graduates who are aware of diversity issues.

DOI

10.1080/02703149.2018.1524066

Volume

42

Issue

1-2

NSUWorks Citation

Brochu, P. M. (2018). Teaching Clinical Psychology Trainees about Weight Bias. Women & Therapy, 42(1-2).
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facarticles/1694