Beyond the Binary: Eating Disorders, Diverse Causes with Jonathan Cotton

In this week's podcast, Han is joined by Jonathan Cotton. Jonathan is an integrative psychotherapist freelancing at an Eating Disorder charity whose personal and professional experiences lie with supporting the LGBTQ+ community, whether with self-harm/suicide crisis, identity work, offending behaviours, and eating disorders.In this week's episode, we discuss:The importance of clinicians having an awareness of sexuality and gender, and how it can link to mental health.Traumatic experiences that LGBTQ+ individuals may have experienced that may have impacted their mental health.The issue with assuming someone's sexuality and gender is the cause of their eating disorder and how we can navigate these beliefs. Body images in the LGBTQ+ community and how this could impact disorder behaviours. The role of labels and how this can impact your identity. How you can meet your needs without using the eating disorder.To find out more about Jonathan, you can connect with him on LinkedIn,Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.