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Ashley Acle, MBA, MFT, LMFT
Ashley Acle, MBA, MFT, LMFT is a consultant, clinical supervisor, and advocate passionate about health equity and culturally sensitive mental health. She frequently speaks on eating disorders and mental health treatment, along with ways we heal from experiences of racism, immigration trauma, colorism, and other marginalizations to promote body acceptance and well-being.
Ashley has been a leader in eating disorders for several years, working in behavioral health operations, research, clinical quality and regulatory compliance, and direct care. Her accomplishments include leading a systematic review of Cultural Considerations in the Treatment of Eating Disorders among Racial/Ethnic Minorities (Acle et al., 2021), highlighting core insights for researchers and practitioners treating eating disorders. Ashley has also spoken internationally to increase awareness and equitable treatment for eating disorders within Latine, Asian, and Indigenous communities. Ashley is passionate about building community among healthcare providers of color as a mentor and peer consultant.
Despite similar or higher eating disorders prevalence rates, several studies highlight that Black, Indigenous, Latine, Asian, and People of Color are less likely to be assessed for and receive eating disorders treatment. Immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers from these communities concurrently navigating acculturation, acculturative stress, and immigration trauma face additional barriers in accessing care despite great need. Culturally sensitive eating disorders assessment and treatment serving these communities must consider the client’s experiences of immigration and acculturative stress to facilitate involvement in care and address these health disparities.
Experiences throughout the migration process and exposure to assault and threats of violence may contribute to eating disorders risk, and influence treatment needs and one’s social determinants of health. Fears about separation and deportation, loss of community, and access to food and healthcare must be explored and addressed. Clinicians should also explore language proficiency and preferences for care delivery with clients, which can impact communication and treatment effectiveness.
Attendees will be presented with an overview of how immigration experiences, trauma, and acculturative stress relate to eating disorders risk and treatment. Clinicians will learn how to sensitively explore and incorporate these nuanced experiences to benefit their conceptualizations and therapeutic work.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
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