This week we welcome M Reim Ifrach, REAT, ATR-BC, ATCS, LPC (they/them), queer, trans, non-binary, fat, disabled Art Therapist to the show our newest episode, “Do Better.”

Tune in to learn why trans and non-binary people are at a higher risk for developing an eating disorder, the harm caused from traditional treatment centers, the importance of one’s “chosen family,” treatment equity and access, the differences between gender dysphoria and body image distress, why interviewing a provider is an important first step, ways to ensure a protected, safe space for healing, the role of art therapy, and more!

M is a trans/non-binary art therapist, fat activist and artist whose work focuses on body justice, intersectional social justice and eating disorder treatment equity access.

The founded Rainbow Recovery with their Partner Ron where they both support people through the gender affirmation process, complex trauma recovery, eating disorder recovery and body image issues.

M is also the Director for Walden Behavioral Care’s Rainbow Road, the country’s first virtual Eating Disorder 2slgbtqia+ IOP & PHP, which is proud to announce having 100% queer staffing.

M had the honor to participate in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Artful Practices for Well-being, presented at national and international conferences on the use of HAES, Intuitive Eating and Intersectional Social Justice in mental health care and teaches multicultural and diversity practice in Master’s Level Art Therapy programs. In their work, they are committed to the mission that all bodies deserve recovery and that marginalized bodies need to be amplified in the eating disorder landscape to eradicate the stereotypes surrounding eating disorders and gender.

M serves on the Board of Project HEAL where they support treatment equity access and on the Board of Anchor Health Initiative where they support community heal initiative for queer people including gender-affirming medicine, HIV & Aids medical interventions and supportive, non-shaming sexual health.

When M isn’t working they enjoy raising many animals including Pinball Wizard, their blind dog, watching all things Horror on repeat, obsessing over all things Elton John, and enjoying time with their partner. Learn more about M and their work here.