Social Justice in Eating Disorder Treatment--The Renfrew Center's Paula Edwards-Gayfield, LPC

Today’s blog highlights how eating disorder treatment centers can integrate social justice. Whether in San Diego or elsewhere, it’s vital to acknowledge how racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, sexism, fat phobia, etc., intersect to make eating disorder recovery more difficult. I’ve interviewed Paula Edwards-Gayfield, LPC, who is in charge of the The Renfrew Center for Eating Disorders in Los Angeles. She also is the co-chair for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Taskforce. I’m excited for you to get to know her and what Renfrew offers with eating disorder treatment.

How long have you been working with eating disorders?  

 Fifteen years! My eating disorder career started with The Renfrew Center in April 2007.

Given your training as a therapist, how did you decide to enter into the eating disorder field?

As a therapist, I wanted to work with adolescent girls and young adult women. I frequently observed the voice, emotions and experiences of adolescents being dismissed as “she is just an teenager.” However, teenagers are people too. I wanted to assist in empowering them to honor their voices and respect their emotions in order to build self-esteem, self-acceptance and self-compassion — three essential pillars of positive body image.

Prior to my employment at The Renfrew Center, I attended a body image workshop of theirs. It was in that training that I found “my calling, my job.” Treating eating disorder patients has given me the opportunity to work with my desired population and to address the concerns that are prevalent to so many young individuals.

 What kind of care does The Renfrew Center for Eating Disorders offer in Los Angeles?

 The Renfrew Center of California offers a comprehensive range of services, including:

• Day Treatment which meets five day per week, it is an ideal option for patients who transition from residential care or ‘step up’ from our Intensive Outpatient Program.

• Intensive Outpatient Program which meets three times per week, is an excellent “step down” for those transition from Day Treatment or a “step up” from individual or group therapy.

• Outpatient Group which meet once a week. Groups include:

  • 30-Something-and-Beyond for individuals 30 years and older

  • BIPOC Support Group for Black, Indigenous and People of Color

  • SAGE Support Group for Sexual and Gender Minorities

  • Support Persons Services Group to assist families/parents/partners/spouses/friends in getting their loved ones into treatment and throughout the recovery process

 Programming at The Renfrew Center of Los Angeles is currently virtual. Visit our website for updates regarding in-person treatment.  

 What is your position there?

 Regional Assistant Vice-President

One thing that I love about The Renfrew Center is that it intentionally espouses feminist and social justice principles.  How do you see this inclusion integrated into patient care?

Since The Renfrew Center was founded in 1985, a feminist-relational framework has informed all aspects of the business, from our mission statement and core values to the day-to-day policies and procedures we adhere to.  As such, we recognize that the culture and systems that we live in do influence both the development and maintenance of eating disorders, so our treatment approach accounts for that by intentionally and directly examining the impacts of oppression, marginalization and other sociocultural influences.  

You are the co-chair of your Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Taskforce. Would you share about what role this Taskforce plays and how it benefits patients?  

The mission of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Taskforce is to ensure that The Renfrew Center fulfills its commitment to be an inclusive and diverse organization. A few examples of how we work to achieve this is by increasing access to care for marginalized individuals, ensuring clinical care addresses the specific needs and lived experiences of marginalized individuals, providing on-going anti-racism training to all employees and engaging staff in “courageous conversations” focusing on marginalized individuals.

How can people find out more about The Renfrew Center in Los Angeles?

You can find out more about The Renfrew Center at www.renfrewcenter.com  or by calling 1-800-RENFREW.

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Hey everyone, I really appreciate you reading my blog!  Have a wonderful day. :)  

Marianne 

If you are struggling to find online eating disorder treatment with help with bulimia, binge eating or other eating disorders in San Diego, schedule a free, 15-minute phone consultation using the online scheduler (just click on the orange button), and I will help you get where you need to be! 

You can find more information about me on Instagram @drmariannemiller or on my Facebook page.