The Trauma of Being Fat with Cheryl Fuller PhD

The Trauma of Being Fat with Cheryl Fuller PhD

What does it mean to live in a fat body in a world that often equates thinness with worth? In this eye-opening episode of 'Soul Sessions with Jodie Gale', Cheryl Fuller PhD, a Jungian psychotherapist, unpacks this complex issue. Cheryl's passion for depth psychology, psychotherapy, feminism, and fat studies shines through as she discusses her book, 'The Fat Lady Sings'.

The conversation kicks off with a look at Irvin Yalom's client, Betty, and what she truly needed from therapy as a fat woman. Cheryl and Jodie then dive into how living in a fat body can be a traumatic experience, touching on racism, BMI, and the lack of diverse body representation in the media. They challenge the notion that weight loss is the solution to these problems.

This episode is particularly valuable for therapists, as Cheryl emphasizes the need to confront and overcome their own biases about fatness to better serve their clients. She advocates for fat acceptance and a non-diet approach, stressing that movement should be about joy rather than weight loss. If you're curious about how societal pressures around body size impact mental health, or if you're looking for ways to embrace your body just as it is, this episode is a must-listen.