Big-Hearted Embodiment Training
For therapists, registered dietitians and other professionals in treatment centers, private practices, clinics and schools seeking foundational and advanced skills to work with clients suffering from disruptions in embodiment like eating disorders, self-harm, and substance-use disorders. Continuing education hours are available for Masters-level therapists.
Gain trust in your methods.
Move past ineffective models of treatment for body dissatisfaction, eating disorders and substance addictions.
Gain confidence in reaching the root cause.
Go deeper, beyond managing surface level symptoms. Restore, renew and treat for long-term results.
Address social justice concerns.
Harness the strength of your clients’ identities and social locations.
No doubt there is an overwhelming prevalence of body image and eating problems in society.
Many of your clients right now can use help with these issues.
How confident do you feel about addressing body dissatisfaction and appearance-based discrimination with your clients?
DOVE recently put out a report that 45 million people over the age of 10 experienced body dissatisfaction in the United States in 2019. That was BEFORE the pandemic!
“The 2022 “Real Cost of Beauty Ideals” report provides overwhelming evidence that body dissatisfaction and appearance-based discrimination are a multi-billion-dollar public health crisis… In financial terms body dissatisfaction costs $305 billion to society annually and appearance-based discrimination leads to $501 billion in losses, predominantly to women and girls.”
The Real Cost of Beauty Ideals
https://realcostofbeauty.dove.com
The underlying dissociation from the body and the suffering that comes from hating their body can lead to devastating impacts on their well-being—leading to depression, anxiety, eating disorders and substance-use disorders.
An even deeper risk; the underlying conflicts which if left unaddressed, can lead to relapse or transfer to another behavior and cause ongoing misery.
In a fragile state, clients with body dissatisfaction need your help to move beyond managing the surface level symptoms to fully restoring their relationship to their body.
Right at the start of treatment it is important to address disruptions in embodiment in order to get at
the core issues that cause the behaviors.
If you are not prepared to meet the clients where they are and treat them beyond managing surface level symptoms, it can feel like a struggle, and your work is incomplete.
If you are a professional supporting clients as a:
Psychologist
Social Worker
MFT
Counselor
Registered Dietitian
Chemical Dependency Counselor
Creative Arts Therapist
Nurse
Wellness Coach
…This is for you.
Now you can learn cutting-edge skills to end this suffering and easily help your clients focus on
what really matters in their lives.
Everyone deserves to feel connected to their bodies and to their beauty.
Introducing
Big-Hearted Embodiment Training
Professionally accredited, online courses that teach foundational and advanced knowledge and practical tools to provide treatment for those suffering from disruptions in embodiment like eating disorders, substance-use disorders, and self-harm.
This evidence-based method applies Niva Piran’s Developmental Theory of Embodiment to Clinical Practice
✔️ Learn solutions to address the relationship to the body
✔️ Be able to reduce behaviors like starving, purging or compulsively exercising
✔️ Give lasting peace and positive self-care
“One of the stressors that made my work with clients with body dissatisfaction difficult was using techniques/modalities that did not feel authentic to me and feeling uncertain how to help them become whole. Since attending the Big-Hearted Embodiment Training, I have felt even more connected to my clients, seeing, and hearing them even better, more centered in sessions and with my own body/self, and learning that I need to do some deeper body work that I have been neglecting.”
—Abby Bramnick, LCAT, ATR-BC, MA
Did you know?
Most programs help with the behaviors of eating disorders, but not the clients’ relationship to their body.
Practical
This isn’t another textbook treatment model. You will learn a hands-on approach that can serve as the core of your treatment approach moving forward.
Powerful
The effects of positive embodiment last a lifetime. This information and these practices are something both you and your clients can continue to come back to whenever necessary.
Ethical
This model is built on a social justice foundation that considers the impact of the client’s social context in all parts of treatment.
The power of embodiment for oneself and others starts here.
Full Training
Two courses introducing the Big Hearted Embodiment Model and guidebooks for implementation.
The Be Body Positive Fundamentals
11.5 NBCC CE Hours
Learn the foundational model that the Big Hearted Embodiment training is built upon.
Positive Embodiment
8 NBCC CE Hours
Introduction to the research of Niva Piran that identified the social conditions that lead to disruptions in embodiment.
Guidebooks to apply The Body Positive to clinical work
Learn to integrate the Be Body Positive Model into your clinical sessions using our guidebooks.
You’ll have:
- Language and a framework to communicate and exercise what you’ve known intuitively while working with clients.
- The chance to experience embodiment for yourself and heal your relationship with your own body.
- The confidence to trust yourself no matter who you are working with.
- An introductory 1:1 consultation with Elizabeth Scott.
- The opportunity to join the Big Hearted Embodiment Collaborative.
The Be Body Positive Fundamentals
Now available as an online self-study training.
If you are registering for Full Certification, please wait for your discount code for this course before purchasing.
The Body Positive offers 11.5 NBCC CE hours for this course.
We begin with the Be Body Positive Fundamentals created by Connie Sobczak and Elizabeth Scott. This course teaches you the model that Elizabeth’s Big Hearted Embodiment Training is built upon. This training helps you to begin the process of transforming your relationship with your body, trusting yourself and your wisdom, and increasing your ability to help others with authenticity. Please note, this course is offered through The Body Positive Institute.
This model defines health as the interconnectedness of physical, psychological, and emotional needs. The home study course teaches 5 Competencies:
Competency 1: Reclaim Health
Competency 2: Practice Intuitive Self-Care
Competency 3: Cultivate Self-Love
Competency 4: Declare Your Own Authentic Beauty
Competency 5: Build Community
Each section of this training includes experiential activities, 4-5 video trainings, 1-2 guided audio meditations, handouts, and worksheets that you can complete at your own pace. You’ll embody the competencies yourself and receive abundant resources to help your clients in both virtual and in-person settings.
Positive Embodiment: Applying Niva Piran’s Developmental Theory of Embodiment to Clinical Practice
Now available as an online self-study training.
8 NBCC CE Hours
Module One is a deep-dive into the comprehensive research of Niva Piran. Her research identified the social conditions that lead to disruptions in embodiment like eating disorders and the kinds of support that can lead to resilience and recovery. This course includes Niva Piran’s Journeys of Embodiment at the Intersection of Body and Culture: The Developmental Theory of Embodiment. It is delivered as an e-book after you purchase the course.
In this module, you will obtain practical skills to support clients to change the conditions of their lives that are contributing to their suffering. You will also learn to find the internal resources and resilience to transform their relationship to their own bodies. This course is an online, self-study training.
17 Lessons in the following content areas:
Part 1 – Introduction and cultivating Self-Compassion
Part 2 – The roots of Niva Piran’s Developmental Theory of Embodiment
Part 3 – The five Dimensions of Niva Piran’s Developmental Theory of Embodiment
Part 4 – An invitation to a social justice approach to clinical practice and next steps.
Each unit contains:
- A short video lesson
- A handout that outlines key points of the unit, offers additional resources when relevant
- Personal and professional writing prompts
- A monthly drop in session
- Selected readings from Niva Piran’s book
“What should I do?” Ethics in Eating Disorders Treatment
Now available as an online self-study training.
Two ethics CEs are offered for masters level therapists.
This online course explores some of the difficult ethical dilemmas facing healthcare providers who work with people with eating disorders. Elizabeth offers strategies to cope with fears about the client’s health and to connect with the social and internal resources needed to offer kindness and respect for our client’s autonomy and dignity as they face their recovery process.
We discuss:
- The impact of marginalization (and privilege) on embodiment.
- Trauma informed treatment as a model for a social justice-oriented treatment approach.
- Personal bias and diversity in clinical care.
- The ethics related to care for life-threatened clients
Dr. Jen Gaudiani (a leading physician working with clients with eating disorders) joined the workshop and shares her humble, deeply loving and nuanced wisdom in the section on working with patients who are facing severe and enduring anorexia.
After this presentation, participants will be able to:
- List three of the ethical dilemmas that arise when caring for people with eating disorders.
- Discuss their own enduring values that inform their ethical decisions.
- Describe the elements of a trauma informed approach that considers the impact of social violence on embodiment.
Integration Into Your Work: The Be Body Positive Model in Clinical Practice Guidebook
In Module Two, you will purchase a guidebook and learn to integrate the Be Body Positive Model into your clinical sessions. These guidebooks offer you a coordinated structure for 5 or 10 clinical sessions that introduce your client to The 5 Competencies of the Be Body Positive Model. Module Two is a self-study module.
Please note that these guidebooks are in a PDF format.
Once you register for Certification, you become eligible to join the
Big-Hearted Embodiment Collaborative
This Collaborative is a rich community of support. It is a group of therapists, registered dietitians and wellness coaches who receive monthly advanced training and case conferencing. We collaborate to expand social justice in the eating disorders treatment field; develop ourselves as skillful and compassionate providers and support each other’s professional success. Each month’s meeting is an intimate and rich sharing that builds our resilience and joy with the work that we do. If you are interested in joining the Collaborative, please reach out to schedule an individual consultation with me in which I will orient you to the collaborative and learn about the professional goals and aspirations you bring to the team so that I can support your efforts. Click here to learn more.
“I loved how Elizabeth spoke to the link between perfectionism, competitive self-esteem, and the drive to be “special” and white supremacy. I could relate to a lot of this for myself with my history of an eating disorder and to my current clients with eating disorders. I also loved the examples she provided of her clients and of having the perspective of being looked at rather than fully inhabiting their bodies. I loved how she also spoke to the benefits of self-compassion and how it frees you up to take more risks, Niva Piran and Kristen Neff’s works, and how joy is a radical and fierce way to resist oppression.”
—Course participant
How does it work?
You can sign up for all three courses of the Big Hearted Embodiment Training or take any course a la carte. We ask that you please take The Body Positive Fundamentals before taking other courses.
Masters-level therapists will receive 11.5 NBCC CEs for The Body Positive Fundamentals and 8 NBCC CEs for Module 1.
All Courses
The Body Positive Fundamentals
This course is offered through The Body Positive Institute
11.5 NBCC CE Hours
Positive Embodiment
Applying Niva Piran’s Developmental Theory of Embodiment to Clinical Practice
8 NBCC CE Hours
Integration Into Your Work
The Be Body Positive Model in Clinical Practice Guidebook
“What should I do?” Ethics in Eating Disorders Treatment
Exploring our personal and collective ethical decision-making process in the treatment of people with eating disorders
$340
$119 savings from a la carte
Choose this option if you wish to complete the all courses and
have not taken The Body Positive Fundamentals.
$240
$69 savings from a la carte
Choose this option if you wish to complete all courses and
have taken The Body Positive Fundamentals.
A la carte Courses
Feel free to purchase these courses individually
Positive Embodiment
Applying Niva Piran’s Developmental Theory of Embodiment to Clinical Practice
8 NBCC CE Hours
Integration Into Your Work
The Be Body Positive Model in Clinical Practice Guidebook
5 or 10 Session Guidebook—$125
Both 5 and 10 Guidebook Sessions—$150
*Please take the Be Body Positive Fundamentals before purchasing the Guidebook.*
“What should I do?” Ethics in Eating Disorders Treatment
Exploring our personal and collective ethical decision-making process in the treatment of people with eating disorders
Ready to get started?
Step 1
Take the Be Body Positive Fundamentals Online
- Enroll in the Fundamentals.
- If you’ve already taken the Be Body Positive Fundamentals,
skip this step!
Step 2
Module One—Positive Embodiment: Applying Niva Piran’s Developmental Theory of Embodiment to Clinical Practice
Learn about the comprehensive research of Niva Piran that identified the social conditions that lead to disruptions in embodiment. This includes her wonderful book, Journeys of Embodiment at the Intersection of Body and Culture: The Developmental Theory of Embodiment, which you will receive as an e-book. After taking the Fundamentals and Module One you are welcome to join Elizabeth’s collaborative.
Step 3
Module Two—Receive the Be Body Positive Guidebooks
Receive both our 5 and 10 Session Guidebook and begin incorporating The Be Body Positive Model into your clinical sessions.
Step 4
Module Three—”What should I do?” Ethics in Eating Disorders Treatment
Celebrate your success! You can now join Elizabeth’s Big Hearted Collaborative.
Step 4
Training complete!
Celebrate your success! You can now join Elizabeth’s Big Hearted Collaborative.
As stated above, this is the suggested path to certification. You are welcome to take any of the courses a la carte, but please take The Body Positive Fundamentals BEFORE purchasing the guidebooks so you know how to implement them.
Satisfaction Guaranteed
If you do not feel that the training meets your professional needs, you may request a full refund.
“I was looking to fill in some areas of uncertainty in addressing issues with my clients who suffer from body disruption issues including, binge eating, obsession with their appearance, body shame, etc. With Elizabeth’s encouragement and focus and the experiential exercises, the training reinforced my meditation practice. It helped me have a deeper understanding and conceptualization of disordered eating for both myself and my clients in relation to social environment and context. The idea of building greater agency and embodiment as well as health and self-love were inspiring ideas that gave me an important and deeper look at the issues my clients face. This will make me a better therapist—more present!”
—Katy Lackey, LCSW
About Elizabeth
Elizabeth Scott LCSW, CEDS-S, is an educator and psychotherapist whose work focuses on the intersection of embodiment, social justice, and mindfulness. As Co-Founder and Director of Training for The Body Positive, Elizabeth instructs educators, and students to use the vibrant, Be Body Positive model to end eating disorders and build body positive communities. Elizabeth is a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and IAEDP Approved Supervisor. She trains mental health providers and dietitians to use her Big Hearted Embodiment model. She studies Socially Engaged Buddhism and has practiced psychotherapy since 1988 in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Provide your clients with a path to enjoying life and the world around them
to the fullest extent possible.
Start the Big-Hearted Embodiment
certification program today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer scholarships?
Yes we do. Finances should not be an obstacle to completing this training. Please reach out to anna.b.dimitruk@gmail.com to request a scholarship.
Will I receive CEs for the Big Hearted Embodiment Training?
CEs are currently offered for The Body Positive Fundamentals and Module 1.
I've already taken The Body Positive Fundamentals, where should I start?
If you’ve already completed The Body Positive Fundamentals, its recommended that you enroll in the Full Certification. There is an option for Full Certification that excludes the Fundamentals.
I'm a student in school, can I still enroll in the Big Hearted Embodiment training?
Yes! We welcome practitioners with all levels of experience, including students.
I am not a Therapist, can I still enroll in the Big Hearted Embodiment Training?
Yes! The Big Hearted Embodiment training is open to all helping professionals. About half of the professionals that take Elizabeth’s trainings are Registered Dietitians.
More questions?
If you didn’t get all the information you needed or want to learn more I invite you to contact me and I’ll be happy to answer any further questions you may have. Please email me at escottlcsw@gmail.com.
“My training as a dietitian did not prepare me for the nutrition counseling work I do currently, so learning counseling skills is something very important to me. I yearn for resources and teaching that go below the surface. I had been studying and reading literature on eating disorders and embodiment, but I felt overwhelmed by it all and really wanted a community and an expert to guide me through the principles. Attending the Big-Hearted Embodiment training was a great process. Elizabeth has the best way with words. Many times, she would phrase something in a way that made me want to pause and have her rewind so I could copy it exactly. After each training, I would commit to studying and using the new principles. Learning the framework of positive embodiment has changed the language I use in counseling; my clients are loving it. They were also hungry for this work!”
—Nikki Estep, MPH, RDN, LD, CDCES