Eating Disorder Therapists’ Personal Eating Disorder History and Professional Ethics: An Interpretive Description

2015/02/26 by Meris Williams, Beth E. Haverkamp · 1 citation
Psychology · #Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies #Diversity and Impact of Dance #Eating Disorders and Behaviors

paper · doi:10.1080/10640266.2015.1013393

openalex publication_date 2015/02/26 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30

Abstract

This qualitative study sought to explore and understand eating disorder (ED) therapists' perceptions of whether and how their personal ED histories had professional ethical relevance. Analysis of multiple interviews with 11 therapist-participants indicated that they perceived their personal ED histories as having substantial ethical relevance in their day-to-day practice with ED clients. The major categories of ethics experiences that emerged were: boundaries, therapist wellness, helpfulness of personal ED history, and openness regarding therapists' personal ED histories. The findings have practical utility for the education, training, and continuing education of ED-historied practitioners.

Citations

• Quality and trustworthiness in qualitative research in counseling psychology.

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