Anti-Fat Bias and Weight Inclusive Eating Disorder Treatment with Mel Ciavucco

In this episode of the Full of Beans Podcast, I’m joined by Mel Ciavucco, an integrative counsellor, writer and trainer, to talk about weight stigma and the impact it has on eating disorder treatment and recovery.This conversation explores something that often sits at the heart of eating disorders but is still too often left unspoken: the fear of weight gain, the internalised beliefs people hold about larger bodies, and the ways those beliefs can show up in therapy, treatment, and recovery.In this episode, we explore:What weight stigma is and why it matters in eating disorder workWhy fear of fatness is often central to eating disorder distressHow diet culture and anti-fat bias shape treatment and recoveryWhy people in larger bodies are often overlooked or misunderstood in servicesThe harm caused by focusing on weight loss instead of relationship with foodWhy “don’t worry, we won’t let you get fat” is so problematic in treatmentThe importance of curiosity over reassurance when exploring fear of weight gainHow therapists’ own internalised biases can affect ethical practiceWhy body acceptance and safety are crucial for recoveryHow self-worth, anger, compassion, and social justice can all play a role in healingThis is such an important conversation about compassion, nuance, and creating a world where recovery feels safer for everybody.Connect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans PodcastFollow Full of Beans on InstagramCheck out our websiteListen on YouTubeVisit Mel's website or follow her on Instagram @melciavuccocounsellingContent warning: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, body image, weight stigma, fatphobia, and disordered eating.