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Why Traditional Eating Disorder Treatment Fails LGBTQ+ Populations and How Queer Worldmaking Offers a Better Path Forward

Wednesdae Reim Ifrach, REAT, ATR-BR, ATCS, LPC, NCC, CLAT, RMT (They/Them)
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Date & Time

Description

Traditional eating disorder (ED) treatment models are often built upon heteronormative and cisnormative foundations that can inadvertently pathologize or erase the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals. This one-hour introductory session explores Queer Worldmaking, a conceptual framework for reimagining recovery beyond standard medicalized milestones. Participants will examine how systemic biases impact treatment outcomes and learn how to shift their clinical orientation to better support gender-expansive and queer clients. The session provides a foundational understanding of how to co-create affirming therapeutic "worlds" that prioritize autonomy and belonging over normative compliance.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Summarize the core principles of "Queer Worldmaking" as a framework for inclusive eating disorder treatment.

  • Describe at least two systemic or clinical barriers that disproportionately impact LGBTQ+ individuals seeking ED recovery.

  • Identify three immediate changes to clinical language or intake processes that support a more affirming environment for gender-expansive clients.

Educational Goal

The educational goal of this workshop is to equip clinicians with a queer-affirming framework for eating disorder treatment by examining systemic gaps in traditional models, understanding minority stress and identity-related barriers to care, and applying inclusive, evidence-informed strategies to improve clinical practice.

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Dietitian
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Nurse
  • Nutritionist
  • Physician
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Wednesdae Reim Ifrach, REAT, ATR-BR, ATCS, LPC, NCC, CLAT, RMT (They/Them)
Wednesdae holds a master's Degree in Art Therapy from Albertus Magnus College and is currently a PhD candidate at Saybrook University.

They currently have 3 forthcoming books:
-QUEER EXPRESSIONS: Expressive Art and Somatic Therapy Practices for Healing Body Trauma (Currentley available for pre-order)
-Skeletons, Sequins, and Kin: A Poetry Chapbook
- Hex & Flesh: 35 Incantations of Queer Becoming
(A poetic spellbook for the feminine, haunted, genderqueer body)

They previously served on the CT DCF Youth Advisory Board as well as the former President of the Connecticut Art Therapy Association, and they served as a Board Member with Project HEAL, the nation’s only Eating Disorder Treatment Equity Access based Non-profit.

They have held many positions throughout their career including clinical supervisor, program director, creator of multiple IOP/PHPs, and lead art therapist. Regardless of the position, they work to bring a level of empathy and understanding to their clients where they can feel like they are being seen and heard, witness in their most vulnerable moments.

Their current specialties include fat and body activism, complex trauma, and eating disorder treatment. They ran a nationally-funded Eating Disorder Treatment Facility and have worked across all levels of care including RTC, PHP, IOP, and OP. Wednesdae is also a professor at Moravian University, an HPiT Co-Chair with GLMA, and a board member with Prism Counseling & Advocacy.

Thanks to their facilitation of part of The Monument Quilt, you can see some of their art and art therapy work on display at the Baltimore Museum of Art. You can also hear them guide you through a journey of gender in modern art or learn about body liberation in art with The Museum of Modern Art’s (MoMA) Artful Practices for Well-Being.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Monte Nido