Dr. Lauren Barnes, LMFT

01/06/2026

01/06/2026

01/06/2026

Have you ever heard recommendations like… ⁠
🥕Only serve veggies for snacks⁠
🙅‍♀️No “junk food”⁠
🙅‍♂️No sugar⁠
🍽Strict portion sizes⁠
🤔Switch to low-fat or light products⁠
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To ‘help’ if your child is in a larger body. It’s super common advice from pediatricians, concerned grandparents… or maybe you’ve even thought about it yourself.⁠
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But here’s the thing… All of these cause harm.⁠
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No child should ever be burdened with feeling guilty for eating or feel like they are not allowed to eat based on their body size. I hear so many stories from clients who were given different foods growing up or they weren't allowed to have seconds but their siblings were.⁠
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Children who are in larger bodies, or who have gained weight, deserve access to all foods and in the amounts they need to feel satisfied.⁠
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Restricting children's intake sets them up to feel deprived, have inadequate nutrient intake, and to sneak food, not to mention the emotional harm involved.⁠
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Many health care professionals are so terrified by weight gain and increasing body sizes, that they recommend restriction for any child that goes up on the growth chart or is at the high end of it. ⁠
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This sets them up for a lifetime of food and body struggles. It NEVER encourages a healthy relationship with food or ends in a "healthy" body size. In fact, greater restriction is correlated with higher body weight and eating disorder behaviors.⁠
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All children deserve to be fed well and should be encouraged to listen to their body.⁠
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If you feel like your child struggles with food, or their body weight has suddenly shifted dramatically, seek out the help of a registered dietitian or therapist (who specializes in disordered eating) who can help you sort through what might be going on. And if anyone recommends restriction as a tool, run and find someone else!⁠
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If you’re concerned about the size of your child’s body but you also know you don’t want to cause more issues or body shame, let’s chat. Comment ALIGN and I’ll send you the info for a free call 💛

01/05/2026

‼️ Female mental health therapists in Utah.
Shara Jackson Harper, CSW and I are hosting a small retreat + CEs at the end of February in southern Utah.

Put your email below or send via message if you’d like to be on the initial email invitation list to register Monday.

Limited Spots

01/04/2026

Female Therapists, this one’s for YOU! 💫
Ready to step away from the hustle and into a space that feels restorative and real?

We will mix learning with laughter, and self-care with therapeutic skills.

Join Dr. Lauren A. Barnes, LMFT and Shara Jackson Harper, CSW for The Embodied Woman Therapist Retreat.

✨ Topics you’ll love: body image, hormone cycles, eating disorder work

✨ Plus: time to breathe, connect, and recharge, a shared or private bedroom, nearby nature trails, meals provided

Curious? Add your email below or message me to be the first to receive the registration link

12/19/2025

When a child makes a mistake, they’re not just looking for consequences—they’re looking for connection.

They’re wondering:
“Am I still loved?”
“Am I safe?”
“Will you still accept me?”

If we respond with harshness or shame, they learn to hide.
If we respond with calm, compassion, and guidance, they learn to come closer.

We don’t need to excuse the behaviour—but we do need to protect the relationship.
Because over time, that trust becomes the foundation for honesty, accountability, and emotional safety.

Let’s be the ones they run to, not the ones they fear.

More information in my book
Guidance from The Therapist Parent
Available on my website www.thetherapistparent.com and Amazon

12/19/2025

with
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Friendly holiday reminder 👀

These five things are not invited for the rest of 2025, and honestly, we’re better off without them all year round. 👏🫢

Follow for gentle reminders around food, body image, and ditching diet culture this holiday season and beyond ✨

12/19/2025

🇺🇸 Want a sneak peek into the upcoming legislative session? Join our legislative chair, Sarah Stroup, to learn more about Utah’s session, legislative priorities, and bills we’re tracking. May be applied to general or ethics CEs.

12/04/2025

The second part of rules has been posted. The link below has more information on how to access them, provide public comment, and suggested talking points for you to consider as you reflect on your own public comments. We encourage everyone to submit public comment and attend the public comment hearing. This is your chance for your voice to be heard regarding regulations governing our field.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qw_iDI6cwRN15xj6TV66UmP7YPjyEMlILGoHjGYCNAI/edit?usp=drivesdk

12/04/2025

12/04/2025

Home isn’t always a place… but it’s always a feeling.