Embracing Embodiment: A Compassionate, Feminist Approach to Eating Disorder Recovery

Introduction

Traditional approaches to treating eating disorders often focus on behavioural control—counting calories, monitoring food intake, and adhering to strict treatment protocols. While these methods can be effective for some, they sometimes miss a crucial aspect of healing: the need to reconnect with the body in a compassionate, supportive way. Many people with disordered eating experience a profound disconnect from their bodies, perceiving them as objects to be controlled or even as adversaries in their journey to wellness. This disembodiment can make recovery feel like an ongoing battle rather than a path to wholeness. Embodiment, however, offers an alternative route that encourages individuals to view their bodies as sources of wisdom and resilience, fostering self-compassion and acceptance. By embracing the body as a unified self that reflects both personal and cultural expression, rather than a construct shaped solely by nature or culture, embodiment practices support a fuller, more self-empowered recovery (Dolezal & Fischer, 2018).

In this post, we’ll explore how embodiment practices, rooted in feminist and somatic theories, can enrich the journey to recovery. Embodiment approaches aim to help individuals reconnect with their physical selves, honouring the body as an integral part of healing rather than something to discipline. This feminist perspective challenges societal standards that often lead to self-objectification and body dissatisfaction, instead promoting body autonomy and compassion. Drawing insights from somatic therapy, art therapy, and feminist psychotherapy, this post will outline a more holistic approach that can help individuals cultivate a loving and respectful relationship with their bodies. Through these practices, recovery becomes not only about managing behaviours but also about reclaiming one’s sense of self and body on a journey toward lasting wellness (Cook-Cottone, 2015; Ogden & Fisher, 2015).

Defining Embodiment in Eating Disorder Recovery

The Concept of Embodiment

Embodiment is more than simply living within a body; it’s the practice of experiencing one’s body as an integrated, harmonious part of oneself. In recovery from eating disorders, embodiment involves reconnecting with the body as an ally rather than an adversary. According to Pat Ogden and Janina Fisher’s Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, embodiment is achieved by developing “somatic resources”—physical and emotional tools that foster resilience, stability, and self-awareness. These somatic resources include practices such as grounding (feeling connected to the earth), centring (finding a state of inner balance), and mindful breathing, which help individuals regulate emotions, manage stress, and feel more “at home” in their bodies (Ogden & Fisher, 2015). By learning to work with the body’s natural rhythms and responses, individuals in recovery can better understand how to calm their nervous systems and navigate emotional triggers.

Ogden and Fisher’s approach emphasizes that these somatic practices are essential for recovery because they help bridge the gap between mind, body, and emotions. Eating disorders often thrive in this gap, where the body is perceived as an object to be controlled rather than a fundamental part of one’s identity and sense of self. As people with disordered eating patterns learn to reconnect with their bodies, they can begin to experience the body as a source of safety, resilience, and self-compassion. This embodied awareness is essential for creating a sustainable and nurturing recovery process, helping individuals see their bodies not as problems to solve but as partners in their healing journey.

Disordered Eating as Disembodiment

Disordered eating can often be seen as a form of disembodiment, where individuals disconnect from their bodily needs and cues, perceiving their bodies as entities to manipulate, restrict, or control. This disconnection is reinforced by societal messages that promote unattainable beauty standards and equate self-worth with physical appearance. As a result, many people with eating disorders develop a complex relationship with their bodies, marked by shame, guilt, or even a sense of estrangement.

Embodied recovery, in contrast, emphasizes the importance of relearning to listen to and respect the body’s natural signals, such as hunger, fullness, and emotional cues. This process requires individuals to replace self-criticism with self-compassion, treating their bodies with the same kindness and respect they might offer to a friend. By fostering a compassionate and attentive relationship with the body, individuals can begin to address the underlying emotional and psychological aspects of their de-resourcing way of eating. This embodied approach not only helps to reduce the urge to control or punish the body but also encourages a more holistic view of wellness that encompasses mental, emotional, and physical health (Ogden, 2015; Cook-Cottone, 2015).

Feminist Perspectives on Embodiment and Body Autonomy

Cultural Pressures on Bodies

In exploring the cultural context of eating disorders, Helen Malson’s Critical Feminist Approaches to Eating Dis/Orders provides a powerful feminist critique of how societal standards contribute to body dissatisfaction. Malson argues that cultural ideals around beauty and thinness are not neutral but rather carry deep, gendered expectations that pressure individuals, particularly women, to meet often unattainable standards (Malson, 2009). Dolezal and Fischer (2018) expand on this critique by examining how scientific narratives historically reinforce rigid gender binaries, which further entrench cultural stereotypes. Through embodiment practices, individuals can resist these restrictive norms, cultivating a sense of body autonomy that celebrates their unique identities. These ideals position the body as an object to be controlled and modified, often leading individuals to internalize a sense of inadequacy or shame when they do not meet these narrow expectations. In this sense, eating disorders can be viewed not just as individual struggles but as responses to broader cultural forces that dictate how bodies “should” look and be treated.

Intersectionality and Body Liberation

For many people, experiences of disordered eating are further complicated by intersections of identity, such as race, sexuality, and gender identity. In Fat and Queer, the authors highlight the unique challenges faced by queer, trans+, and fat individuals who navigate a world that often marginalizes their bodies. This anthology emphasizes that for many people, embodiment is a journey of self-reclamation and resistance against societal standards that deem certain bodies “unworthy” or “undesirable” (Morales et al., 2021). Queer and trans+ bodies, in particular, often face overlapping stigmas that affect both body image and self-perception. For these individuals, embodiment isn’t just about reclaiming the body from disordered eating but also about asserting their right to exist and be seen as whole, valuable individuals.

This intersectional perspective on embodiment is essential for creating an inclusive approach to recovery. By recognizing the diverse and complex experiences of people affected by disordered eating, recovery can become a space of body liberation where individuals learn to honour and celebrate their bodies in their own terms.

Feminist Therapy as Empowerment

Feminist therapy, as Marcia Hill discusses in Feminist Therapy as a Political Act, is not only about addressing individual struggles but also about challenging oppressive societal norms that contribute to those struggles. Hill frames feminist therapy as a means of reclaiming body autonomy, encouraging individuals to view their bodies as worthy of care and respect, regardless of societal pressures (Hill, 1998). This approach empowers clients to challenge internalized unhelpful beliefs that associate worth with appearance, enabling them to cultivate a compassionate relationship with their bodies.

By fostering an environment where clients feel safe to explore and confront the cultural messages they’ve internalized, feminist therapy helps individuals resist objectifying and self-critical perspectives. Instead, it promotes an empowering approach that views recovery as an act of self-acceptance and resistance against societal standards that undermine body autonomy. In this way, feminist therapy not only supports healing but also validates the right of every person to live in their body authentically and compassionately.

Practical Embodiment Strategies in Recovery

Mindful Self-Care and Somatic Resources

Practical embodiment strategies are essential in guiding individuals toward a healthier, more compassionate relationship with their bodies. One of the foundational approaches in embodiment work is mindful self-care, which includes practices that promote awareness and attunement to the body’s needs and cues. Pat Ogden’s Sensorimotor Psychotherapy describes “somatic resources” as physical and emotional tools—such as grounding, breathing, and body awareness—that enable individuals to regulate their emotional states and develop resilience in the face of challenges (Ogden & Fisher, 2015). Grounding exercises, for instance, encourage individuals to “feel their feet on the ground” and become aware of their physical presence, which can help them stay centred during moments of distress. McBride and Kwee (2019) emphasize that such somatic practices help individuals integrate their “receptive, expressive, and interpreting” selves, which are often fragmented in those with disordered eating. This integration allows individuals to view their bodies as both receivers of experience and agents of expression, fostering a harmonious self-relationship crucial to recovery.

Grounding exercises, for instance, encourage individuals to “feel their feet on the ground” and become aware of their physical presence, which can help them stay centred during moments of distress. Breathing exercises, particularly those focused on slow and deep inhalations and exhalations, activate the body’s parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and helping to regulate emotional responses. Body awareness exercises, which include gentle movement, mindful stretching, or simply paying attention to bodily sensations, reconnect individuals with their physical selves, enabling them to experience their bodies as supportive allies rather than objects to control. These somatic practices encourage individuals in recovery to embrace their bodies as stable, nurturing companions, capable of guiding them through moments of discomfort and helping them reconnect with their sense of self (Ogden & Fisher, 2015).

Art Therapy as a Pathway to Embodiment

In addition to somatic practices, art therapy offers a creative and introspective route to embodiment. Laury Rappaport’s Focusing-Oriented Art Therapy explains how art can be used to access the body’s wisdom, allowing clients to express complex emotions and experiences that may be difficult to verbalize. Through artistic expression, individuals can connect with their “felt sense”—a concept from Eugene Gendlin’s focusing method that refers to a bodily awareness or intuition about a specific situation or feeling (Rappaport, 2014). McBride and Kwee (2019) further elaborate that art therapy enhances the expressive self, helping individuals bring their inner experiences to the surface in a form that can be both acknowledged and processed. This creative process helps individuals externalize internal experiences, fostering a sense of release and clarity. Art therapy supports the healing process by providing a tangible, visual way to process emotions, ultimately enhancing clients’ self-awareness and self-acceptance (Rappaport, 2014).

A typical art therapy exercise might involve asking clients to create a visual representation of how they feel in their bodies at the moment. This can be done through drawing, painting, or even sculpting. By tuning into the “felt sense,” individuals can connect with buried emotions, sensations, or memories that their bodies may be holding. This creative process helps individuals externalize internal experiences, fostering a sense of release and clarity. Art therapy supports the healing process by providing a tangible, visual way to process emotions, ultimately enhancing clients’ self-awareness and self-acceptance (Rappaport, 2014).

Expressive Arts and Self-Compassion

Artistic practices in embodiment work can also facilitate self-compassion, an essential component of healing from disordered eating. In Focusing-Oriented Art Therapy, Rappaport discusses how creative expression enables individuals to safely explore and release stored emotional pain, creating a space for kindness and understanding in the recovery journey (Rappaport, 2014). Expressive arts such as painting, writing, or music provide safe outlets for clients to access feelings they may have previously avoided or suppressed, often out of fear or self-judgment.

By engaging with these creative practices, individuals can begin to view their emotional experiences with greater compassion and acceptance. Expressive arts offer a non-judgmental space for exploring complex feelings and identity aspects, helping individuals cultivate a gentler, more nurturing approach to self-discovery. This process can be transformative, allowing clients to reclaim ownership of their bodies and emotions, and to see themselves not through the lens of criticism or societal standards, but through one of empathy and acceptance. Self-compassion, nurtured through these artistic and expressive practices, can be a powerful antidote to the self-critical thoughts and behaviours often associated with disordered eating, supporting a more sustainable and compassionate path to recovery (Rappaport, 2014).

In sum, practical embodiment strategies like mindful self-care, art therapy, and expressive arts serve as pathways to reconnecting with the body and embracing it as a source of strength. By developing these practices, individuals in recovery can create a foundation of support, self-compassion, and self-respect, essential for fostering a lasting and loving relationship with their bodies.

Embodiment for Emotional and Psychological Healing

Self-Compassion and Reframing Self-Perception

A central pillar of embodied recovery is cultivating self-compassion—a practice that encourages individuals to approach their struggles with kindness rather than criticism. Catherine Cook-Cottone, in Mindfulness and Yoga for Self-Regulation, highlights self-compassion as a crucial element for individuals working through disordered eating, as it enables them to acknowledge their challenges without judgment (Cook-Cottone, 2015). By reframing self-perception from a lens of self-criticism to one of self-compassion, individuals begin to see their bodies as deserving of care and respect, rather than as objects to control or criticise.

Self-compassion allows people to build a nurturing relationship with their bodies by creating a supportive internal dialogue that replaces punitive thoughts with affirming ones. For example, instead of criticising themselves for a perceived failure, they might acknowledge the difficulty of recovery and treat themselves with the same compassion they would extend to a friend. This shift fosters a more gentle and accepting relationship with the body, a vital foundation in embodied recovery. Developing self-compassion helps individuals embrace their physical selves as they are, recognising the inherent worth of their bodies beyond societal standards or past behaviours (Cook-Cottone, 2015).

Building Somatic Awareness as a Coping Tool

A significant aspect of embodiment involves building somatic awareness—the ability to tune into the body’s cues and understand them as signals that can guide emotional well-being. In Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Pat Ogden discusses the concept of developing a “felt sense” for one’s emotions, helping clients recognize and respond to bodily signals of distress, comfort, or peace (Ogden, 2015). Scientific research shows that certain brain regions, like the insula, are often hypoactive in those with eating disorders, impacting their ability to accurately receive and interpret bodily sensations (McBride & Kwee, 2019). By practicing body awareness exercises, individuals can re-engage these areas of the brain, allowing for a clearer perception of bodily needs and emotional signals. This process encourages individuals to view their bodies as reliable sources of information about their emotional states, promoting a sense of trust and cooperation between mind and body. Over time, this heightened somatic awareness can help individuals build resilience, equipping them with coping tools that support both physical and psychological well-being in moments of stress (Ogden & Fisher, 2015).

For example, someone experiencing anxiety might notice physical symptoms such as a tight chest or shallow breathing. By recognising these signals, they can use grounding techniques, breathing exercises, or gentle movements to calm their body and reduce the impact of distress. This process encourages individuals to view their bodies as reliable sources of information about their emotional states, promoting a sense of trust and cooperation between mind and body. Over time, this heightened somatic awareness can help individuals build resilience, equipping them with coping tools that support both physical and psychological well-being in moments of stress (Ogden & Fisher, 2015).

Empowering Marginalised Bodies

In recovery, it’s essential to acknowledge and honour the unique challenges faced by individuals from marginalised backgrounds, including queer, trans, and fat bodies. Trans Bodies, Trans Selves, a resource for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, emphasises the importance of body acceptance as a component of mental well-being, particularly for those who experience societal stigma or discrimination due to their body size, shape, or gender identity (Erickson-Schroth, 2014). According to New Feminist Perspectives on Embodiment, cultural narratives about bodies have often been constructed through scientific and societal frameworks that marginalise certain identities, enforcing ideals that exclude queer, trans, and fat bodies (Dolezal & Fischer, 2018). Embodiment practices offer a form of resistance, helping these individuals reclaim their right to inhabit and celebrate their bodies on their own terms. The journey of embodiment for queer, trans, and fat individuals often involves overcoming societal pressures that attempt to diminish their sense of self-worth. For example, queer and trans individuals may face societal messages that invalidate their gender expressions, while fat individuals may be confronted with pervasive body shaming. Embodiment in this context means reclaiming the right to exist authentically and embracing a body that defies normative standards.

The journey of embodiment for queer, trans, and fat individuals often involves overcoming societal pressures that attempt to diminish their sense of self-worth. For example, queer and trans individuals may face societal messages that invalidate their gender expressions, while fat individuals may be confronted with pervasive body shaming. Embodiment in this context means reclaiming the right to exist authentically and embracing a body that defies normative standards. By creating inclusive recovery spaces that respect and affirm these diverse experiences, practitioners can empower clients to view their bodies as legitimate and worthy, free from the harmful expectations of mainstream culture.

Recognising these unique experiences and offering tailored, affirming support can transform embodiment work into a truly inclusive practice. This approach not only fosters individual healing but also serves as a broader statement against the societal structures that marginalise certain bodies. In this way, embodiment becomes a path toward self-acceptance and liberation, affirming each individual’s right to inhabit their body with pride and confidence, regardless of societal pressures or expectations (Erickson-Schroth, 2014).

Embodiment can serve as a powerful tool for emotional and psychological healing, particularly when it is rooted in self-compassion, somatic awareness, and an inclusive approach that honours diverse identities. By integrating these practices, individuals in recovery can cultivate a relationship with their bodies that is resilient, compassionate, and unapologetically authentic.

Conclusion

In recovery from disordered eating, embracing a feminist, embodiment-focused approach can be transformative. This perspective prioritizes reconnecting with and nurturing the body, moving beyond mere symptom management to address the deeper need for a compassionate and supportive relationship with oneself. By integrating principles from somatic therapy, art therapy, and feminist approaches, individuals can experience their bodies not as objects to control but as resilient sources of wisdom and strength.

Embodiment is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing journey, one that supports not only recovery but also a richer, more meaningful life. As individuals develop self-compassion, build somatic awareness, and empower themselves to honour their unique identities, they gain the tools to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and authenticity. This process encourages a perspective shift—from seeing the body as a battleground to embracing it as an ally and a source of grounding.

As a step toward this journey, consider trying one embodiment practice today, whether it’s a grounding exercise, a few moments of mindful breathing, or a creative art therapy activity. Allow these practices to open a dialogue with your body, fostering a sense of self-compassion and connection. Recovery is a journey, but with embodiment as your guide, it’s one that brings you closer to a life of greater peace, acceptance, and self-respect.

Continue the Convo

If the ideas in this blog resonate with you or someone you care about, I invite you to take the next step. Whether you’re a therapist looking for support with integrating embodiment practices into your work, or someone navigating the complexities of disordered eating and seeking compassionate, affirming guidance, I’m here to help. You may book an individual therapy session or peer consultation with me to explore how we can build meaningful, empowering connections together. And be sure to bookmark this blog for future book reviews and insights on mental health and embodiment.

References

Cook-Cottone, C. (2015). Mindfulness and yoga for self-regulation: A primer for mental health professionals. Springer Publishing.

Dolezal, L., & Fischer, C. T. (Eds.). (2018). New feminist perspectives on embodiment. Palgrave Macmillan.

Erickson-Schroth, L. (Ed.). (2014). Trans bodies, trans selves: A resource for the transgender community. Oxford University Press.

Hill, M. (1998). Feminist therapy as a political act. The Haworth Press.

Malson, H. (2009). Critical feminist approaches to eating dis/orders. Routledge.

McBride, H. L., & Kwee, J. L. (Eds.). (2019). Embodiment and eating disorders: Theory, research, prevention, and treatment. Routledge.

Morales, M. M., Ferentini, T. J. T., & Grimm, B. O. (2021). Fat and queer: An anthology of queer and trans bodies and lives. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Ogden, P., & Fisher, J. (2015). Sensorimotor psychotherapy: Interventions for trauma and attachment. W.W. Norton & Company.

Rappaport, L. (2014). Focusing-oriented art therapy: Accessing the body’s wisdom and creative intelligence. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.