Dismantling Weight Stigma: A Group Intervention in a Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Eating Disorder Treatment Program

The authors piloted a weight stigma psychotherapy group at an eating disorder partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient program (IOP). This was an optional, transdiagnostic eating disorder group for patients with past/present weight stigma experiences related to being in large bodies. A total of 36 individuals participated in the weekly group from June 2018 to June 2019 during their PHP/IOP episode of care. We present the group's overarching framework of destigmatizing language and intersectional discussions of weight stigma. We also discuss clinical processes that unfolded during this group including simulated dialog from the group. Finally, we present relevant client quotes that provide preliminary support for future exploration in this area, as client subjective experiences of the group were positive. Our preliminary pilot experience suggests that delivering a group of this nature in a PHP/IOP eating disorder treatment setting is feasible and that further work is needed to build upon this antiweight stigma framework as a critical piece of eating disorder treatment. Clinical Impact Statement Question: How do we help individuals dismantle their own internalized weight stigma within an eating disorder treatment facility? Findings: Clinicians can use these findings to inform antistigma practice with regard to weight stigma in group, individual, and milieu psychotherapy settings for eating disorders, as well as other treatment settings. Meaning: The current article offers information about clinical processes that inform antiweight stigma group psychotherapy within a higher level of care eating disorder treatment program. Findings provide a starting place for further exploration and development of such interventions. Next Steps: Future work must explore whether this intervention has an impact on weight stigma, psychological distress, and eating disorder severity as well as whether it can be delivered across a wider range mental health and health care settings.