Fat Collective: Exploring
This 8-week group is an opportunity for fat folks to gather in a supportive space,
led by a fellow fat person (that's me, Alexandra!).
You will be invited to explore the systemic, cultural, and intergenerational influences on their fat identity both critically and compassionately.
I'm Alexandra...
a counsellor, consultant, and fat liberationist who is deeply committed to trusting my own body and supporting others to trust theirs.
To learn more about me, my approach to counselling,
and my work, click here.
My approach is grounded in fat liberationist, anti-racist, gender/sexuality affirming, intersectionally feminist, decolonial, and anti-oppressive practices, all of which I continue to grow into.
Anti-fatness alienates fat people from one another and makes us afraid to be seen with other fat people. Have you ever been the only fat friend in a group? I have. There is so much power in fat people sharing space and building community.
Fat Collective: Exploring is for you if...
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You are fat,
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You feel ready (enough!) to explore your life through a lens of anti-fatness & fat liberation,​​​
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You want to build fat community,​
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You want to explore how fatness intersects with your other identities,
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You feel ready (enough!) to look at how you perpetuate anti-fatness
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You are in so-called Canada and are 19 or older,
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& you're sick of hating yourself!​
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You in? Jump to the details.
It sounds simple, but in a world where we are constantly navigating the minefield of anti-fatness and diet culture, it’s vital that we find spaces to explore our experience that are contained and held in a safe (enough!) way.
The intention of this group is to create a space that that centers the experiences of fat people, explores the ways in which anti-fatness shows up, and offers alternative ways of being in relationship with ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities.
I hope this group will feel like a mix of a slumber party and a gender studies class.
The Fat Collective is an opportunity for fat people to
share space & experience.
Here's what you can expect:
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We’ll have some deep conversations that include both social analysis and self-analysis.
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We’ll explore the parts of ourselves that feel icky, those parts that might perpetuate anti-fatness, but we’ll do it together.
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We’ll practice holding space for ourselves and for one another in a safe (enough), values-centered, and non-judgmental way.
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We’ll connect through shared experience, including the levity and joyfulness that is part of the fat identity.
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We’ll name and move through the breadth of our emotions - the deep rage and grief that arise when identifying how anti-fatness has harmed us and our communities.
My hope is that you’ll walk away with a sense of solidarity, a more embodied understanding that you’re not alone in your experiences of facing anti-fatness and oppression.
Through this process, my intention is for you to release some of the self-blame and shame that you may be carrying, while cultivating the building blocks you need to create a different kind of relationship with yourself, food, and movement.
(And you may just walk away with a couple other fat friends to stay in touch with far beyond when our time together ends!)
The Details:
Each call will start and end with a group check-in. We’ll all have an opportunity to share what we’re bringing to the space, how we’re doing, and anything in particular we need from the group that day.
Then, we’ll dive into our topic for the week. I’ll begin by sharing some context and personal examples. Then I’ll introduce a handful of guiding questions to shape our conversation. Everyone will have an opportunity to share your experiences on the call so we can practice sharing our stories in a safe (enough) space, feel less alone, and learn from one another.
We’ll look through both the lens of the broader systemic perspective (colonialism, racism, ableism, etc.), and then zoom the conversations in to ourselves and our own personal experiences.
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I’ll be there to help us all make connection between the various elements we are talking about so our exploration will build on itself, week over week. I’ll also share the prompts from each call, along with a handful of resources, after each session.
Even though there’s some structure going in, the group can still be freeform and responsive to your needs.
The Schedule:
Week 1 - Opening​
We’ll get to know one another and set guidelines for how we want to hold space together.
Week 4 - Food
How has anti-fatness influenced what you know about food? How you engage with food?
Week 2 - Roots
Let’s dig into the roots of anti-fatness - within ourselves, culture, and history.
Week 5 - Movement
How has anti-fatness influenced what you know about movement/exercise? How you engage with movement/exercise?
Week 3 - Relationships
How does anti-fatness show up in our relationships? Family, friends, found family, colleagues, neighbours?
Week 6 - Reckoning
When did you begin to question diet-culture? Anti-fatness? How are we freeing ourselves from those confines?
Week 7 - Fat Joy
What does fat joy look like in your life? What does a fat joy practice look like?
Week 8 - Closing
We’ll reflect on our process through the group - where we started, what we want to take with us.
Upcoming
dates TBA
Investment:
$500+gst
Can be made in 1, 2, or 3 payments
Testimonials of Ali's Facilitation:
"I felt so validated and seen in the fat collective group, and at ease in sharing my experiences with other fat folks. Ali was an amazing facilitator who was able to navigate us through some difficult topics and conversations with gentleness and so much support. I’m so sad the fat collective group has ended but I’m happy to have made new fat friendships that will extend beyond the group!"
The Process:
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Applications for this round are currently closed.
Please fill in the form below to be added to the waitlist for the next offering.
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Do you offer sessions in-person or virtually?Both! My office is located at 201 - 26 Bastion Square in Victoria, BC. The space is flat to entry, has an elevator, and 5, single-stall, gender-neutral bathrooms. There is a small waiting room before the main office. I offer sessions virtually through my JaneApp booking system.
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How do I book a free, 20-minute consultation?Check my schedule at: https://selkiecounselling.janeapp.com/ Email me at alexandra(@)selkiecounselling.ca with a bit about what you’re looking for from counselling and a few times that work for you
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How do I book a first session?First sessions can be booked during the consultation, or after a consultation via email at alexandra(@)selkiecounselling.ca Please check my calendar first and include a few available times in your email: https://selkiecounselling.janeapp.com/
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Will my insurance cover your services?I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). Most insurance policies will cover my services, but it is up to you to check with your provider.
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What payment methods do you accept?I can accept e-transfer or credit card payments.
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What does each session cost?I charge $157.50 ($150+GST) per session. I have limited number of spots available for sliding scale - please email me at alexandra @ selkiecounselling.ca to see if I have any spaces open currently.
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How long do we work together through the therapy process?The pace of sessions is your choice. I understand that therapy is taxing on our money, time, energy, and emotions. I’m happy to work on whatever schedule you have access to, and find that having our first 3-4 sessions weekly/biweekly helps build momentum. After that we can space out as works best for you.
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Where is your office located for in-person sessions?My office is located at 201 - 26 Bastion Square in Victoria, BC. The space is flat to entry, has an elevator, and 5, single-stall, gender-neutral bathrooms. There is a small waiting room before the main office.
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Do I have to live in BC to work with you?Not specifically - I’m insured to work with clients across Canada, however I need to limit the number of clients I see in certain provinces. Another consideration is that insurers outside of BC might not cover my services. If you're out of province, please reach out to see if it's possible to work together.
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What can I expect from my first session?In a first session I start by reviewing ethical/legal information like confidentiality, complaints process, and fees. Then I’ll recap what sessions with me generally look like (structure, types of questions, etc.), and share a bit about myself as a person, not just counsellor. Then we’ll explore what’s bringing you in, what you hope to get from counselling, and why now is the right time to start this process. First sessions are general. I like to think of them as laying a foundation or identifying the pieces of the puzzle (to mix metaphors, which I do often).