Culturally Responsive and Compassionate Eating Disorder Treatment: Serving Marginalized Communities with a Relational-Cultural and Self-Compassion Approach

ABSTRACT

Marginalized populations have been historically underrepresented in eating disorder (ED) research. A more robust, culturally responsive framework is needed to bridge ED research and counseling practice gaps. Therefore, we propose an integrative approach using Relational Cultural Therapy and self-compassion principles to provide a strengths-based and socially just conceptualization of ED clients with marginalized identities. We conclude with a case illustration, implications for counselors, and future research directions.

KEYWORDS:

• relational-cultural therapy
• self-compassion
• eating disorder
• multicultural
• creativity in counseling

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).