Fat Liberation & HAES®-Informed Therapy

Radical Healing at Every Size, Every Identity, Every Story

Photo by Anh Tuan To on Unsplash

At our practice, we are committed to providing therapy that honors your full humanity, including your body. Rooted in fat liberation, Health at Every Size® (HAES) principles, and an intersectional lens, our approach challenges weight stigma and systemic oppression while creating space for healing, joy, and embodiment.

Fat Liberation: More Than Body Positivity

Fat liberation is not about loving your body despite its size, it's about dismantling the systems that tell you your body is a problem in the first place. We recognize that fatphobia is deeply embedded in our healthcare system, media, workplaces, and even families. In therapy, we help you explore how anti-fat bias has shaped your relationship with food, movement, self-worth, and care; we work with you to unlearn shame and reclaim autonomy.

We don’t just support acceptance. We advocate for liberation.

Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash

Health at Every Size® (HAES): A Weight-Inclusive Framework

Our therapists are HAES-aligned, meaning we affirm that:

  • Health is not defined by weight

  • Bodies are diverse by nature

  • People of all sizes deserve respectful, evidence-based care

  • Well-being includes physical, emotional, and social dimensions

Whether you're recovering from disordered eating, navigating body image distress, or seeking care free from diet culture, we offer a space that refuses to pathologize your body.

Intersectional Therapy: Your Lived Experience Matters

We know that experiences of body-based oppression do not exist in a vacuum. Our practice is deeply informed by intersectionality, a framework that acknowledges how systems of oppression (like racism, ableism, transphobia, classism, and fatphobia) intersect to impact mental health.

You are not too complex.
You are not "too much."
You deserve a therapist who sees the full context of your life.

We Work With:

  • Folks healing from weight stigma and diet trauma

  • People in larger bodies navigating healthcare, family, and workplace discrimination

  • Clients with eating disorders in higher-weight bodies who’ve been misdiagnosed or mistreated

  • BIPOC, queer, trans, disabled, and neurodivergent clients seeking size-affirming care

  • Anyone ready to explore a more liberated, compassionate relationship with their body

What Therapy Looks Like Here

Our space is anti-diet, fat-affirming, trauma-informed, and collaborative. You set the pace. We bring curiosity, warmth, and political awareness to our work together. This is not just about feeling better in your body; it’s about reclaiming your right to exist without shame

But what if…?

  • Ambivalence is a normal part of any therapeutic journey, and it tends to be a huge part of eating disorder recovery. Provided that you are medically stable and appropriate for outpatient care, we can go slowly. Clients are often surprised at what they can accomplish while “faking it till they make it.” You may not be ready to buy in to a body-neutral, all-foods-fit model of self-care, but we can take baby steps focused on how recovery-oriented choices can benefit you today.

  • Therapy starts with a comprehensive assessment of a client’s holistic wellness. You won’t scare a therapist off with your symptoms, and if necessary, a therapist may help you figure out the best level of care for you and refer you to the appropriate resource. We won’t know what you need until you’re assessed, so scheduling an intake is the best way to find out.

  • We at Valid Love strongly believe that therapy should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. We offer flexible options and payment plans to fit different budgets, and we are in network with several major insurance companies. We also offer a number of evening appointments to accommodate clients whose schedules cannot fit daytime appointments. If you’re ready and able to put the work in, we will work with you to figure out a therapy set-up that is doable for you.

You can take back control of your life

You are not doomed to a life of counting macros, avoiding binge foods, or skipping out on family dinners. With the right support, you can build alternative coping skills, gain insight into your eating disorder, and change your relationship with food. Contact us today to set up an initial consultation and start the healing journey.

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