July 8, 2025
July Greetings!
This month’s newsletter is chock-full of resources and offerings. We are excited about the launch of several new therapy groups later this month. As the news cycle continues to feel overwhelming, we encourage you to find moments of rest and reset in ways that bring you comfort.
If you’ve taken a look at Take Root’s website, you likely came across the term Health at Every Size® (HAES®). This lens, valued and utilized by our Take Root clinicians, is rooted in fat liberation and anti-oppression. But, what exactly does Health at Every Size® mean? Let’s dig deeper!
The Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH) formed in 2003 and began formulating HAES® principles (ASDAH, 2024). While these principles have since been revised, they continuously promote size equity and inclusion in health treatment settings. Their current core principles include valuing anti-oppressive healthcare as a human right, understanding that wellbeing is unique and particular to each individual, working to deconstruct anti-fat bias and fat-phobic practices, and identifying how health has been historically influenced by white supremacy, anti-Black racism, and ableism (ASDAH, 2024).
Our society and culture heavily prioritizes thin bodies. We see this exemplified in public transportation, where seats are designed for a specific size. We see this in clothing, in which “one size fits all” is an oxymoron, and these sizes truly only fit slender bodies. We see this in diet culture, which consistently creates an expectation that weight loss should be a lifelong goal. This is incredibly harmful not only to the healthcare and inclusion of fat individuals, but also to individuals struggling with eating disorders. It perpetuates the idea of thinness being the only way to be healthy and happy, which scientific research proves to be untrue! As ASDAH includes, “there are ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’ people at all points on the size spectrum” (ASDAH, 2024).
When thinking about studies that show correlation between adverse health effects and larger bodies, it is helpful to remember that correlation does not equal causation. Living in a larger body might be associated with x, y, or z, but that does not mean it always causes x, y, or z. Confounding variables such as genetics, socioeconomic status, lack of access to resources, etc. greatly impact the causation of health concerns. It’s valuable to look at an individual’s health holistically and through an intersectional lens, because health truly feels and looks different for every person and every body.
The weight bias in healthcare is harmful. When healthcare providers continually discuss weight loss as the only option, or even treat patients as being careless or lazy because of their weight, it can result in patients seeking healthcare less frequently. They may feel judged and dismissed, and feel less inclined to attend important appointments, such as cancer screenings (Phelan et al., 2015). Additionally, there is evidence that supports other contributors to weight gain completely unrelated to nutrition and movement, such as poor sleep, stress, medications, hormonal disruptions, and intergenerational influences. These factors may cause the behaviors typically blamed for weight gain, like overeating and inactivity (Chaput et al., 2014).
So, knowing all this, what might healthcare look like from a HAES®-aligned provider? To start, the provider will understand there is evidence that health improvements are achievable among fat people who engage in health-promoting behaviors and habits, independent of weight loss (ASDAH, 2024). The provider will practice with the values of informed consent, compassion, respect for patient autonomy, and mindfulness of systemic and personal anti-fat bias. HAES®-aligned providers will also assist their patient’s pursuit of wellbeing by dismantling beliefs originated from diet culture while helping the patient “reframe their relationship with food and movement in alignment with their values” (ASDAH, 2024).
As a therapist myself, learning about Health at Every Size® felt like a breath of fresh air. It felt like a lens that truly honors each individual’s unique needs and health. I’ve thought a lot about how I can approach my own health without an emphasis on size. I’d like to share a few examples, for readers who might be wondering for themselves. However, as always, I recommend consulting with a trusted healthcare provider before trying new health habits for yourself. I am not a doctor, just a somatically-integrated therapist who tries to live out a HAES® approach! I’ll start with sleep. While we’re aware of the general guidelines for rest and sleep, it is a very individualized aspect of health. I’ve made a conscious effort to keep track of the hours I sleep and notice how I feel for each. For me, eight hours of sleep helps me feel refreshed, energized, and rested, while seven hours feels like too little and nine hours feels like too much. I’ve also dialed into the resources and tools that support my sleep; for example, I enjoy having cool air, a white noise sound machine, and a weighted object like a weighted pillow or stuffed animal. These objects personally help me fall and stay asleep. I encourage you to explore an aspect of your own wellness to determine what makes you feel nurtured.
I’ll also share an example related to movement, since it might be new to imagine physical activity that does not involve any sort of set plan or regime. I’ve practiced incorporating movement that feels supportive for my body. If I’m feeling tired or sluggish, I may do some gentle stretching to loosen up my body. If I’m feeling antsy or anxious, I may go for a brisk walk to release some pent-up energy. I enjoy taking a moment to feel into what I might need most, and then respond accordingly. It has felt nourishing to move in this way, instead of pursuit of any weight loss.
If you’re interested in more concepts related to Health at Every Size®, I recommend learning a bit about set point theory and intuitive eating. Set point theory describes the body’s natural inclination toward maintaining its genetically predetermined weight range, while intuitive eating invites individuals to gain interoceptive awareness to identify their unique food preferences and hunger and fullness cues. If you would like to begin seeing a HAES®-aligned provider, the ASDAH website has a healthcare provider listing. You can also look in providers’ bios, such as on Take Root’s website, and look for HAES® listed. We all deserve healthcare that feels compassionate, comprehensive, fair, and in alignment with our personal values.
References:
Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH). (2024). Health at Every Size® principles. https://asdah.org/haes/
Chaput, J. P., Ferraro, Z. M., Prud’homme, D., Sharma, A. M. (2014). Widespread misconceptions about obesity. Can Fam Physician, 60(30), 973-975. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4229150/
Nairn, Rayven. (2023, February 20). Health at every size: A concept to reduce weight-centric thinking and to promote body positivity. Johns Hopkins University Student Well-Being Blog.
Phelan, S. M., Burgess, D. J., Yeazel, M.W., Hellerstedt, W. L., Griffin, J. M., van Ryn, M. (2015). Impact of weight bias and stigma on quality of care and outcomes for patients with obesity. Obesity Reviews, 16(4), 319-326. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12266
Our Community Partners
Current Wellness
Current Wellness is an integrative wellness center located in downtown Raleigh. They provide services to support physical, mental, and social health that emphasize inclusion and self-compassion for the community.
Current Wellness fitness and yoga classes are trauma-informed, ED-informed, size-inclusive, and aligned with Health at Every Size (™). They offer a variety of options including flow yoga, restorative yoga, strength training, TRX, intervals, and dance fitness. They help you find enjoyable movement that boosts your energy, relieves your stress, and supports your overall health.
Current Wellness also offers personal training, one-on-one yoga sessions, massage therapy, reiki, and sound baths.
Upcoming Support Groups
Details
Dates: July 23, 30, August 6, 13, 20, 27
Time: Wednesdays, 6 – 7:30pm
Location: Virtually on Zoom
Cost: FREE
Who: This group is for folks 18+
This free, 6-week in-person support group is designed for LGBTQ+ identifying individuals 18+ who are navigating recovery from eating disorders. Led by Jordan “JP” Poole—a queer-identifying therapist with extensive experience treating eating disorders—this group offers a safe, affirming space to share, connect, and heal.
Together, we’ll explore the unique challenges at the intersection of identity and recovery, process personal experiences, and build practical skills to support long-term well-being. Each week will provide opportunities for both open discussion and guided learning, grounded in compassion, community, and evidence-based approaches.
Register for Free LGBTQ Support Group
Details
Dates: August 7, 14, 21, & 28
Time: Wednesdays, 6 – 7:30pm
Location: Virtually on Zoom
Cost: $250
Who: This group is for folks 18+
The workshop will meet once per week for 90 minute sessions and will cover the following:
- Week 1: Why did this happen and where do I go from here?
- Week 2 : Dos and don’ts for food and fitness
- Week 3: Codependency and boundaries: when recovery is and when it isn’t your job
- Week 4: Self-care, self-compassion and getting your own help
Jordan Poole, LCMHC, “JP” (she/ her) will be leading this group. JP is Take Root’s clinical director and has extensive experience as a group therapist and working specifically with families who have a family member with an Eating Disorder. She specializes in the treatment of Eating Disorders and is passionate about supporting and empowering families as they experience such challenges.
Register for Parents & Partners
Details
Dates: September 17th- October 22nd (6 weeks)
Time: Wednesday evenings from 5:30-6:30pm
Location: At our lovely office, 102 New Edition Ct. in Cary, NC
Cost: $40 per session due at the time of session or $200 if you are paying in full, up front. We ask that all participants commit to the full 6 weeks.
Who: This group is for folks 16+
About the Teacher
Lauren is a compassionate and dedicated therapist specializing in helping individuals navigate life’s most challenging moments. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate, she works with teens and adults (15+) to create a safe, supportive environment where they can explore and heal from struggles such as eating disorders, disordered eating, body image concerns, depression, anxiety, trauma, attachment concerns, and life transitions.
As a Registered Yoga Teacher, I can also incorporate trauma-informed yoga into sessions.Trauma informed yoga is an approach that integrates the principles of trauma sensitivity and mindfulness into the practice of yoga. This practice emphasizes body awareness, grounding techniques, and breathing exercises, allowing individuals to reconnect with their bodies in a gentle and empowering way. When incorporated into therapy, trauma-informed yoga can complement traditional talk therapies, helping clients process trauma, reduce stress, and regulate emotions. The focus is on creating a sense of control, safety, and empowerment, which is essential for healing from past trauma.
Mark your calendar for the Take Root Open House! Come enjoy coffee, delicious breakfast treats, and our make-and-take beaded bracelet station. We look forward to spending the morning with you and sharing our new space!
We had an amazing time at our first event with part of our Take Root team celebrating Pride at the Out! Raleigh Festival. We enjoyed meeting new folks and sharing about who we are and what we do at Take Root. We are already dreaming up ideas for how to show up next year. Thank you to the Out! Raleigh organizers and everyone who made the event possible!
If you made it this far, thanks for reading! We look forward to visiting your inbox again soon:) If the info in this email felt helpful, and you know someone who might also think so, please consider passing it along and sharing- we are so grateful for your support.
Kindly,
The Take Root Team
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