Body Justice

Allyson Inez Ford, MA, LPCC
  • 5.0 (40)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Hi! I'm Allyson, a licensed therapist specializing in eating disorders and OCD. My mission is to create a world where all bodies can thrive by promoting messages of body justice, recovery skills and mental health tips from the perspective of a mixed race, queer and neurodivergent therapist, an eating disorder survivor and activist. Social justice is an integral part of my work. I believe that all parts of our identity (race, gender, abilities, size, sexual orientation, etc) impact how we perceive our bodies and the bodies of others, unpacking this is the key to personal and collective healing.

  1. 1D AGO

    84. "If I'm as small as I can be, maybe my disability will matter less" a Body Image Story with Jen Caspari, PhD

    Episode 84 of Body Justice is all about Jen Caspari's lived experience navigating cerebral palsy and how being disabled impacted her body image over the course of her life. She discusses various insights and strategies that have helped her build a more peaceful relationship to her body despite living in a world that is often not accommodating. Jenn also has professional experience as a psychologist supporting many clients living with chronic illness, chronic pain and disabilities- she is a wealth of knowledge! More about Jenn: Jennifer Caspari, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist currently working in Vancouver, BC, who specializes in general and health psychology. She is passionate about helping clients live full and meaningful lives, including those living with acute or chronic illness and chronic pain. She lives with cerebral palsy, and when not meeting with clients, greatly enjoys writing, including a Psychology Today blog, Living Well When Your Body Doesn't Cooperate, and for The Globe and Mail column, Ask A Therapist. Dr. Caspari also values providing training to health professionals and is the creator and instructor of a chronic pain course with PESI, a national leader in continuing education to mental health professionals.In her free time, Dr. Caspari enjoys spending time with loved ones, feeling the sun on her face, listening to audiobooks while moving her body, watching cooking and baking shows, and eating delicious food. You can find her on social media @moxie_mindset. Jenn's Book: You Are More Than Your Body. Disclaimer: this podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. This is not a replacement for individual therapy or medical advice.  As always, you can find the host of this podcast, Allyson, on her website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.eatingdisorderocdtherapy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bodyjustice.therapist.⁠⁠⁠

    45 min
  2. 83. Dignity in Food Access Matters: Healing from an Eating Disorder while Food Insecure with Filmmaker and Food Justice Organizer, Elizabeth Ayiku

    APR 20

    83. Dignity in Food Access Matters: Healing from an Eating Disorder while Food Insecure with Filmmaker and Food Justice Organizer, Elizabeth Ayiku

    Episode 83 of Body Justice Podcast is something we all need to hear. There are not enough stories of people going through recovery from an eating disorder while food insecure- despite food insecurity being a top reason for eating disorder development. Elizabeth shares her powerful story and how her experience led her to founding a virtual food pantry- grounded in dignity and choice. About Elizabeth Ayiku: Elizabeth is a filmmaker, food justice organizer, and founder of Me Little Me Foundation, a nonprofit advancing food equity and providing free, culturally competent support to historically marginalized communities. Based in Los Angeles, she works to dismantle systemic barriers to mental health and well being, with a focus on meeting basic needs first. She founded the Me Little Me Foundation in response to her own lived experience with food insecurity, racial inequity, and a deep understanding of the gaps in support for marginalized communities. Her personal journey fuels her unwavering commitment to social justice and community care. Links to resources discussed: Me Little Me Foundation Me Little Me Narrative Feature film, based on Elizabeths journey recovering from an eating disorder. You can watch the film on Amazon, Apple or Pluto TV (free) Disclaimer: this podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. This is not a replacement for individual therapy or medical advice.  As always, you can find the host of this podcast, Allyson, on her website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.eatingdisorderocdtherapy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bodyjustice.therapist.⁠⁠⁠

    32 min
  3. 82. When Disordered Eating Becomes Policy: from 'Ultra Processed Foods' to 'Longevity Medication' with Deb Benfield, M.Ed., RDN, LDN

    APR 6

    82. When Disordered Eating Becomes Policy: from 'Ultra Processed Foods' to 'Longevity Medication' with Deb Benfield, M.Ed., RDN, LDN

    Episode 82 of Body Justice Podcast is a follow up conversation with Deb Benfield, a registered dietitian and author of Aging Body Liberation, about the intersection of diet culture and ageism; as well as the covert ways disordered eating is becoming embedded into policy in the U.S. We discuss our thoughts on: ultra-processed foods, seed oils, longevity medication and more. More about Deb: Deb Benfield, M.Ed., RDN, LDN, RYT, is a Registered Dietitian, nutrition therapist, and body image coach with 40 years of experience helping people heal their relationship with food, movement, and their bodies. Her work sits at the intersection of anti-ageism, body liberation, and trauma-informed care, offering a radically compassionate alternative to anti-aging, diet, and wellness culture, especially for those in midlife and beyond. After turning 60, Deb began questioning the dominant narratives around aging, vitality, and beauty—and quickly realized how many resources still centered weight loss and youthful appearance as ultimate goals. In response, she created what she couldn’t find: a framework for nourishing the body that honors inner wisdom, prioritizes quality of life, and embraces the full spectrum of aging. She’s the author of Unapologetic Aging: How to Mend and Nourish Your Relationship with Your Body and offers individual and group coaching to help others age unapologetically—on their own terms. Disclaimer: this podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. This is not a replacement for individual therapy or medical advice.  As always, you can find the host of this podcast, Allyson, on her website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.eatingdisorderocdtherapy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ or IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@bodyjustice.therapist.⁠⁠⁠ Educational resources mentioned: Maintenance Phase- Ultra Processed Foods Episodes Emily Oster- Seed Oils Emily Oster- Microplastics

    41 min
  4. 81. When Diet Culture and Ageism Collide: Aging Body Liberation with Deb Benfield, M.Ed., RDN, LDN, RYT

    MAR 20

    81. When Diet Culture and Ageism Collide: Aging Body Liberation with Deb Benfield, M.Ed., RDN, LDN, RYT

    Episode 81 of Body Justice Podcast is all about the intersection of diet culture and ageism. We discuss how these systems impact our relationship to food and body, especially as we age. We explore how the skincare industry has emerged as the new diet culture and how it is rooted in a socialized fear of aging. Deb shares her own lived experience as a woman in her late 60s, a professional in the eating disorder field with decades of experience- and how she aims to challenge these harmful systems in her work with clients and anyone who follows her work. More about Deb: Deb Benfield, M.Ed., RDN, LDN, RYT, is a Registered Dietitian, nutrition therapist, and body image coach with 40 years of experience helping people heal their relationship with food, movement, and their bodies. Her work sits at the intersection of anti-ageism, body liberation, and trauma-informed care, offering a radically compassionate alternative to anti-aging, diet, and wellness culture, especially for those in midlife and beyond. After turning 60, Deb began questioning the dominant narratives around aging, vitality, and beauty—and quickly realized how many resources still centered weight loss and youthful appearance as ultimate goals. In response, she created what she couldn’t find: a framework for nourishing the body that honors inner wisdom, prioritizes quality of life, and embraces the full spectrum of aging. She’s the author of Unapologetic Aging: How to Mend and Nourish Your Relationship with Your Body and offers individual and group coaching to help others age unapologetically—on their own terms. Disclaimer: this podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. This is not a replacement for individual therapy or medical advice.  As always, you can find the host of this podcast, Allyson, on her website: ⁠⁠⁠www.eatingdisorderocdtherapy.com⁠⁠⁠ or IG: ⁠⁠⁠@bodyjustice.therapist.⁠⁠⁠

    47 min
  5. 80. Even When the Truth is Painful, it's Still Important: Unlearning Zionism as a Jewish Dietitian, a conversation with Natalie Katz, RDN, MPH

    FEB 27

    80. Even When the Truth is Painful, it's Still Important: Unlearning Zionism as a Jewish Dietitian, a conversation with Natalie Katz, RDN, MPH

    Episode 80 of Body Justice podcast is a compassionate and honest exploration of one person's journey of unlearning Zionism. Our guest is Natalie Katz, a Jewish eating disorder dietitian. In this episode we cover:  What Zionism is and how it connects to colonialism and other forms of oppressionThe historical context of Zionism within the Jewish and other religious communitiesAn exploration of how Zionism hijacks the core values of Judaism Natalie's journey to developing critical consciousness outside of Zionism-led propaganda The connection between Zionism and the rise of anti-Jewish hatredSystemic oppression and scapegoating of Jewish peopleWhy all of this matters for eating disorders About Natalie: Natalie is a registered dietitian and the founder of Feeding Your Soul Nutrition an outpatient insurance-based nutrition group practice specializing in eating disorder and non-diet nutrition care. Since 2017, she has grown the practice into a team of registered dietitians who provide compassionate, weight-inclusive support to clients of all ages, both virtually and in person. Natalie also provides clinical and business consultation to fellow clinicians in hopes of increasing eating disorder informed and inclusive care. Visit Natalie's website here: https://feedingyoursoulnutrition.com/ _______________________________________________________________ Disclaimer: this podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. This is not a replacement for individual therapy or medical advice. As always, you can find the host of this podcast, Allyson, on her website: ⁠⁠www.eatingdisorderocdtherapy.com⁠⁠ or IG: ⁠⁠@bodyjustice.therapist.⁠⁠

    56 min
  6. 79. [Part Two] When it Feels Like Someone Else is Running Your Body: Understanding Dissociative Identity (DID) & Eating Disorders with Monika Orstroff, LICSW, CEDS-S

    FEB 6

    79. [Part Two] When it Feels Like Someone Else is Running Your Body: Understanding Dissociative Identity (DID) & Eating Disorders with Monika Orstroff, LICSW, CEDS-S

    In this episode of Body Justice Podcast, Allyson Inez Ford, LPCC sits down with Monika Orstroff, LICSW, CEDS-S, Executive Director of ⁠MEDA⁠ for part two of an honest and deeply informed conversation about dissociative identity disorder (DID) and eating disorders. Monika shares her lived experience of being diagnosed with DID in 1993 (when it was still called 'multiple personalities disorder'), breaks down what DID actually is (and what it is not), and explains why dissociative systems are often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and stigmatized. Together, we explore how DID can shape eating disorder recovery, why treatment often fails when clinicians ignore or pathologize parts, and what it looks like to support safety, collaboration, and internal communication, without fear-based demands and expectations of neuronormativity. Learn more about Monika’s work at ⁠healingmyparts.org⁠. You can also find her other resources through Healing My Parts, including her podcast and Substack. _______________________________________________________________ Disclaimer: this podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. This is not a replacement for individual therapy or medical advice. As always, you can find the host of this podcast, Allyson, on her website: ⁠www.eatingdisorderocdtherapy.com⁠ or IG: ⁠@bodyjustice.therapist.⁠

    54 min
  7. 78. When it Feels Like Someone Else is Running Your Body: Understanding Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and Eating Disorders with Monika Orstroff, LICSW, CEDS-S

    JAN 19

    78. When it Feels Like Someone Else is Running Your Body: Understanding Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and Eating Disorders with Monika Orstroff, LICSW, CEDS-S

    In this episode of Body Justice Podcast, Allyson Inez Ford, LPCC sits down with Monika Orstroff, LICSW, CEDS-S, Executive Director of MEDA for an honest and deeply informed conversation about dissociative identity disorder (DID) and eating disorders. Monika shares her lived experience of being diagnosed with DID in 1993 (when it was still called 'multiple personalities disorder'), breaks down what DID actually is (and what it is not), and explains why dissociative systems are often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and stigmatized. Together, we explore how DID can shape eating disorder recovery, why treatment often fails when clinicians ignore or pathologize parts, and what it looks like to support safety, collaboration, and internal communication, without fear-based demands and expectations of neuronormativity. Learn more about Monika’s work at healingmyparts.org. You can also find her other resources through Healing My Parts, including her podcast and Substack. _______________________________________________________________ Disclaimer: this podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. This is not a replacement for individual therapy or medical advice. As always, you can find the host of this podcast, Allyson, on her website: www.eatingdisorderocdtherapy.com or IG: @bodyjustice.therapist.

    46 min
  8. 77. Feeling  Claustrophobic in Your Own Body: a PDA and AuDHD Perspective on Eating Disorder Recovery with Livia Sara

    JAN 4

    77. Feeling  Claustrophobic in Your Own Body: a PDA and AuDHD Perspective on Eating Disorder Recovery with Livia Sara

    What happens when hunger feels like a demand, and demands feel like threats? In this episode, Allyson Ford, MA, LPCC (@bodyjustice.therapist) is joined by Livia (@livlabelfree) for a neurodivergent-affirming conversation about PDA and eating disorders. While PDA is often labeled “Pathological Demand Avoidance,” the neurodiversity affirming movement invites a different frame: Persistent Drive for Autonomy: a nervous-system response rooted in the need for safety and agency. Together, we talk about: Why standard eating disorder treatment can mirror ED rigidity (protocol over person) How being labeled “defiant” or “treatment resistant” can miss the real need underneath Reframing “control” as safety and survival adaptation Why “recovery” can feel vague, pressurized, or even coercive; and how “discovery” offers a more spacious alternative What affirming care can look like for PDA-ers with eating disorders Find Livia’s work: @livlabelfree | livlabelfree.comConnect with Allyson: @bodyjustice.therapist Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not provide individual therapeutic, psychological, or medical advice. For personalized support, please consult a qualified licensed professional.

    46 min
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About

Hi! I'm Allyson, a licensed therapist specializing in eating disorders and OCD. My mission is to create a world where all bodies can thrive by promoting messages of body justice, recovery skills and mental health tips from the perspective of a mixed race, queer and neurodivergent therapist, an eating disorder survivor and activist. Social justice is an integral part of my work. I believe that all parts of our identity (race, gender, abilities, size, sexual orientation, etc) impact how we perceive our bodies and the bodies of others, unpacking this is the key to personal and collective healing.

Information

  • Creator
    Allyson Inez Ford, MA, LPCC
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    81
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Allyson Inez Ford, MA, LPCC
  • Show Website
    Body Justice

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