Frequently Asked Questions
How did you come to this work?
Since working in the eating disorder field I have often been the only person of color in a room full of clinicians, researchers, and activists. I have been dismissed when raising concerns about our blind spots and biases, and asking the field to recognize who is consistently absent from the table and wonder why. As such, I am passionate about advocating for my clients who have not felt seen nor heard during their recovery as their bodies don’t conform to society’s images of malnourished bodies. I believe it is my responsibility to call for the advancement of our field so that we can better care for those who often don't see themselves represented in our society and in our work.
WhY activism?
Bodies are inherently political, especially those that don’t conform to what society deems worthy and desirable. I have seen the positive impact that comes from people daring to demand they be seen and heard. Anytime someone disrupts the dominant narrative about bodies, it is activism. Being visible is often our biggest act of resistance.
Art by Alillia: flowersofmysoul.com
Why is This image on your website?
Representation matters. It is important for those of us not in the dominant group to see ourselves positively reflected. This is especially true in the eating disorder field as black and brown people are often those most criticized by society for food choices and the size and shape of our bodies. Having Alillia’s art on my website is important to me, personally, as a black, queer woman. As Alillia states on her website, “She explores themes such as black queer love, the preciousness of black girls, self-love, self-care, transmuting trauma, and living with mental health challenges.” Having her art on my website makes sure the dominant group doesn’t forget about our existence, and hopefully encourages others to make their work more inclusive and less harmful for all.
Are you a Health at every size(R) (HAES) provider?
I am a HAES-informed provider but I am not a HAES provider. I am grateful for the HAES model and the alternative narrative it provides about weight and health, as I am grateful to the fat activists, clinicians, and community members who started and continue the HAES movement. I coauthored the revised HAES Principles in 2014, though since then have not been able to reconcile my concerns that the model makes Health a goal, accomplished through principles. It also became clear, through a variety of channels, that HAES was not conceptualized in an intersectional framework and struggles to resonate with marginalized individuals. As such, I use different language, rooted in lived experienced rather than research. Instead of using a model, I leave space for folks to find their own path to freedom.
Do you use intuitive eating?
No. I do not believe that we achieve freedom from the rigidity and pressures of diet culture and body appraisal if we then adopt 10 principles with which we guide our eating instead. I ask us all to fully divest from the notion that we should be analyzing our eating habits day-to-day and assessing whether they fit within certain parameters and paradigms. I ask clinicians to sit with the discomfort of not providing a specific road map for individuals seeking a different path, and instead I invite us all to join our clients on their own journey. When we strip away structure, checks and balances, we’re able to see what’s truly there, and that’s a space from which to move forward.
How can I compensate you?
Folks who are interested in supporting my work on social media, funding new projects and subsidizing the work I do with marginalized communities can send payment to Venmo: jessicawilsonMSRD; PayPal: jessicawilson.msrd@gmail.com