Both in media and personal relationships we are confronted with overt and covert messaging about our bodies, their appearance, and functioning. Advertising promotes the idea that thinness and happiness are linked. Idealized bodies featured in the media can lead to increased body dissatisfaction in both men and women. Furthermore, weight stigma contributes to stereotypes such as overweight people b
eing lazy or lacking self-control. Body image is within such constructs as gender, ethnicity, ability, and/or personal relationships. As clinicians, it is important for us to be aware of our own experiences and potential biases. As multiculturally-aware therapists, we have the opportunity to model positive body image for our clients and support them in deconstructing harmful narratives. Participants in this workshop will construct life-sized body sculptures and will process their experiences using drama therapy techniques. Concepts and processes will be relevant to therapists across the expressive modalities. Finished sculptures will be installed at a conference location to engage the wider community in an open discussion related to body image, body ideals, and our own roles in perpetuating or altering the dominant social narrative.
