Open help menu
In Person
Indiana Counseling Association Presents The Conversations that Shape Us Conference: What You Wish Other Mental Health Counselors Understood

Intersectionality Considerations for Black Women's Body Image

Bria Atkins, LPC, NCC
|

Pricing

Information

Date & Time

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Describe how unique individual factors among Black women contribute to their poor body image (e.g., intersectionality of race and gender, SES, sexuality, age).

  • Implement at least three culturally competent care strategies for Black women with body image dissatisfaction.

  • Summarize traditional eating disorder frameworks and evaluate how they may fail to include Black women's experiences

Educational Goal

The educational goal of this workshop is for attendees to learn how to implement culturally competent care for Black women by identifying individual factors that contribute to poor body image.

Description

The purpose of this presentation is to increase awareness of the importance of cultural competence when working with Black women experiencing eating disorders, disordered eating, and body dissatisfaction. Black women navigate both Eurocentric and culturally specific Black beauty standards, which can create unique and sometimes conflicting pressures around body image. Traditional eating disorder frameworks may not always reflect these experiences, contributing to underrecognition, misunderstanding, or barriers to appropriate care. By examining the intersection of race, gender, culture, and beauty standards, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how these identities can influence body image and eating concerns and learn strategies for providing more culturally responsive, affirming, and effective care.

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Bria Atkins, LPC, NCC
Bria Atkins, MA, LPC, is a third-year Ph.D. student in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at Adler University. Bria brings clinical experience providing therapy to adults presenting with concerns such as depression, anxiety, and substance use across a range of settings, including private practice, residential facilities, and community mental health agencies. Culture is not only central to how Bria understands her clients' stories, but also grounds her research, which aims to enhance clinical practices for Black women's body image concerns. Outside of her professional pursuits, Bria enjoys reading, exploring new restaurants, and traveling.