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Saturday, March 7, 2009: 3:45 PM-5:15 PM
Melbourne (Westin Long Beach)
This workshop will explore the relationship between disordered eating, gender and homosexuality by examining the interplay of socially constructed gender roles, the development of a homosexual identity and the potential for disruption in an individual’s sense of embodiment. The inherent psychological challenges involved in developing a healthy sense of and relationship with one’s body will be examined with respect to the particular hungers and desires experienced by homosexuals. Attention will be given to the positive function of the therapeutic team and the most effective clinical techniques to be employed when working with this population.
I. Experiential Activity
A. Presentation of a list of verbal responses I have received from people when they learn that I am a lesbian.
B. Participants will be asked to respond internally to the list and to observe their own reactions.
C. Participants will spend time in silence while consider ing their ideas about LGBT people. Participants will be encouraged to avoid political correctness in order to understand their internalized homophobia and countertransferential material.
II. Introduction to and Discussion of Major Presentation Concepts and Presentation Goals
A. The relationship between disordered eating, gender and homosexuality.
B. Gender identity, socialization and the psychological impact on children whose internal experience runs contrary to family and cultural gender expectations.
C. Traditional gender identities that abandon homosexuals resulting in internalized homophobia.
D. The potential for disruption in an individual’s sense of embodiment and the manifestation of this disruption.
E. The psychological challenges involved in developing a healthy relationship with one’s body secondary to the particular hungers and desires experienced by homosexuals.
III. The Interplay of the External World on Internal Experience
A. The role of the family, culture, religious institutions and society.
B. Supportive vs. antagonistic influences.
C. Characteristics of the family that encourage resiliency against a hostile external environment vs. those that increase aggravate symptom formation.
D. The emergence of an embodied sexuality as dependent upon the prior development of a cohesive sense of the “Self in Body.”
E. D.W. Winnicott’s observations of infant/child development and the interaction with with caretakers and the external holding environment.
IV. The Symbolism of Symptoms in the LGBT Patient
A. The work of Armando R. Favazza, M.D. and Sharon Klayman Farber, Ph.D., with respect to LGBT individuals with eating disorder and/or other symptoms of self-harm.
B. The meaning of specific eating disorder and self-harming symptoms as an attempt at self-purification and cleansing.
C. The use of symptomatic behavior as a form of wounded communication.
V. Treatment Techniques and Interventions
A. Interventions aimed at increasing resiliency and self-acceptance in the face of societal oppression.
B. Interventions that foster a mind-body link.
C. How to assist clients with transforming their symptoms into feelings, thoughts and words.
D. The value of: Talk Therapies (Psychoanalysis, Psychotherapy, CBT) and Experiential Therapies (EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Therapeutic and Recreational Activities, Equine Assisted Therapy.
This workshop seeks to disseminate information concerning the relationship between disordered eating, gender and homosexuality by examining the interplay of socially constructed gender identities, the development of a homosexual identity and the potential for disruption in an individual’s sense of embodiment. The inherent psychological challenges involved in developing a healthy relationship with one’s body will be examined with respect to the particular hungers and desires experienced by homosexuals. The presentation will focus on the restrictive nature of traditional gender identities that abandon homosexuals and the consequent internalized homophobia that can lead to the emergence of an eating disorder and other forms of self-harm. The role of culture, religion and the family will be considered in terms of their helpful or harmful influences. The theoretical underpinning of this presentation is the notion that it is virtually impossible for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community to develop a viable sense of connectedness with their bodies and with their sexuality when the culture at large is so disparaging in terms of homosexual desire. This results in a vulnerability within the LGBT community to disorders of hunger and satiation such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and compulsive overeating. The presentation will consider the work of Armando R. Favazza, M.D., and Sharon Klayman Farber, Ph.D., as it relates to LGBT clients. The psychological meaning of eating disorder symptoms such as starvation, purging and other punishing behaviors will be illuminated in terms of the individual's attempt to purify and cleanse the self. The use of symptomatic behavior as a form of communication will be discussed. The emergence of the self in infancy and childhood will be adressed through the observations of D.W. Winnicott who posited that intact development is the result of an interaction between the child and the caretaker and the larger holding environment. Attention will be given to the positive function of the therapeutic team and the most effective clinical techniques to be employed when working with this population. Interventions aimed at increasing resiliency, self-acceptance and self-respect in the face of societal oppression as well as those aimed a fostering a link between the mind and body will be discussed in detail. Emphasis will be placed on assisting clients with transforming their symptoms into feelings, thoughts and words.
A. Presentation of a list of verbal responses I have received from people when they learn that I am a lesbian.
B. Participants will be asked to respond internally to the list and to observe their own reactions.
C. Participants will spend time in silence while consider ing their ideas about LGBT people. Participants will be encouraged to avoid political correctness in order to understand their internalized homophobia and countertransferential material.
II. Introduction to and Discussion of Major Presentation Concepts and Presentation Goals
A. The relationship between disordered eating, gender and homosexuality.
B. Gender identity, socialization and the psychological impact on children whose internal experience runs contrary to family and cultural gender expectations.
C. Traditional gender identities that abandon homosexuals resulting in internalized homophobia.
D. The potential for disruption in an individual’s sense of embodiment and the manifestation of this disruption.
E. The psychological challenges involved in developing a healthy relationship with one’s body secondary to the particular hungers and desires experienced by homosexuals.
III. The Interplay of the External World on Internal Experience
A. The role of the family, culture, religious institutions and society.
B. Supportive vs. antagonistic influences.
C. Characteristics of the family that encourage resiliency against a hostile external environment vs. those that increase aggravate symptom formation.
D. The emergence of an embodied sexuality as dependent upon the prior development of a cohesive sense of the “Self in Body.”
E. D.W. Winnicott’s observations of infant/child development and the interaction with with caretakers and the external holding environment.
IV. The Symbolism of Symptoms in the LGBT Patient
A. The work of Armando R. Favazza, M.D. and Sharon Klayman Farber, Ph.D., with respect to LGBT individuals with eating disorder and/or other symptoms of self-harm.
B. The meaning of specific eating disorder and self-harming symptoms as an attempt at self-purification and cleansing.
C. The use of symptomatic behavior as a form of wounded communication.
V. Treatment Techniques and Interventions
A. Interventions aimed at increasing resiliency and self-acceptance in the face of societal oppression.
B. Interventions that foster a mind-body link.
C. How to assist clients with transforming their symptoms into feelings, thoughts and words.
D. The value of: Talk Therapies (Psychoanalysis, Psychotherapy, CBT) and Experiential Therapies (EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Therapeutic and Recreational Activities, Equine Assisted Therapy.
Primary Presenter:
Deborah Whalen, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.
Deborah Whalen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and currently Sierra Tucson's Clinical Outreach Coordinator in the Mid-Atlantic Region. She has a master's degree in Social Work from Hunter College of The City University of New York. Her professional experience includes serving as a member of the clinical staff and as Clinical Outreach Coordinator at The Renfrew Center of New York. Deborah has presented to the clinical staff of major universities, hospitals, to private practice professionals and was a presenter at The Renfrew Center Conference in 2004. The presentation was entitled, “The Psychology of Difference.” Deborah maintains a clinical practice specializing in eating disorders, trauma, LGBT issues and work with couples and families.
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