Eating Disorders in the Latina Community

with Naomi Tapia, AMFT

For so long, eating disorders and disordered eating in Latinx/e individuals has been overlooked due to their size or shape. This presentation will discuss the existing barriers to treatment and the blind spots a lot of providers have when treating EDs or disordered eating, particularly with Latinas. This presentation will also discuss the lived experiences and traumas that often lead to eating disorders and disordered eating in Latinas, as well as how EDs tend to show up for Latinas. Lastly, we will discuss important influences, such as spirituality and family, and review a vignette that outlines culturally competent treatment. 

(she/ella)

Naomi Tapia, AMFT

Naomi Tapia is a bilingual, first-generation Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in California (#128232). She graduated with her Master of Science in Counseling, with an emphasis in clinical mental health and marriage and family therapy. Naomi is passionate about self-compassion, eating disorders, body image, and the Latinx community. Her master’s research project focused on treatment approaches for Latinx Mujeres with negative body image, disordered eating, eating disorders, and low self-esteem. She has been featured on NowThis speaking about the negative impacts diet culture has on our bodies. Naomi sits on the board of advisors for two different organizations focused on body liberations and eating disorders, Body Liberated Buffalo and Body Reborn. Naomi is also a published contributor. Her writings can be found in books such as the American Counseling Association’s Counselor Self-Care book.