Reclaiming the Black Body: Nourishing the Home Within

(Hardback)

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An essential exploration of the overlooked impact of disordered eating among Black women-and a prescriptive road map to returning to peace and wholeness within our bodies, from the clinical therapist who founded Black and Embodied Counseling and Consulting PLLC An essential exploration of the overlooked impact of disordered eating among Black women-and a prescriptive road map to returning to wholeness within our bodies, from the clinical therapist who founded Black and Embodied Counseling and Consulting PLLC Food has always been a political tool for the oppressor-and the Black body has always been one of its many battlegrounds. Licensed mental health therapist, somatic healer, and eating disorder specialist Alishia McCullough understands that for far too many Black women, racial trauma's seismic impact has disrupted their most essential relationship- the one they have with their bodies-and by extension, with their food. African Americans are disproportionately impacted by disordered eating behaviors, yet their experiences are frequently neglected by doctors and mental health experts. As a result, our most vulnerable communities are forced to navigate systems primed to dismiss their needs, leaving them without proper care, or often even the language they need to identify what's wrong. McCullough's groundbreaking work radically validates the lived experiences and generational traumas of BIPOC communities. As part of a steadily growing movement among clinicians to "decolonize therapy," her deeply affirming approach seeks to understand disordered eating patterns by examining the psychological wounds left by centuries of racism. Weaving together crucial history, compelling client stories, guided meditation, journal prompts, and McCullough's own journey with disordered eating behaviors, Reclaiming the Black Body offers readers a safe space to feel seen-and a powerful pathway to healing. This revealing, potentially life-saving book illuminates the way home, back to the safety and comfort found within our bodies.

Reviews

Reclaiming the Black Body is apowerful and profoundcall to not only reclaim but to re-envision Black bodies, Black wellness and Black liberation. Alishia McCullough has done a beautiful jobfusing spiritual and ancestral wisdom with stats and storiesto support our personal and collective understanding.It both unearthed and illuminated a lot for meon a personal and professional level.Rachel Ricketts, bestselling author of Do Better

A beautiful work of art. It validated so many of my lived experiences. Informative. Refreshing. A must-read. I cant recommend it highly enough.Chrissy King, author of The Body Liberation Project

Alishia McCulloughs radical approach ignites crucial conversationsaround eating disorders within Black communities and paves pathways to liberation and self-love. With courage and compassion, she confronts the entrenched systems of oppression surrounding eating disorders while integrating profound wisdom.Patricia Duggan, licensed therapistand somatic healer

With Reclaiming the Black Body, Alishia McCullough is helping to usher in a new and critically needed wave of Black liberation; one that centers body-based freedom . . . This book is the essential tool to redeem the Black body in a sustainable way.Dr. Mariel Buqu,trauma psychologist and author of Break the Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma

In the traditionally conservative landscape of eating disorders Alishia McCullough stands out as a trailblazer . . . The transformative impact of her work is evident, reaching and influencing thousandswithin the community.Gloria Lucas, eating disorder awareness educator and founder of NalgonaPositivity Pride

[A] beacon of light . . . Alishia McCulloughs writing provides a sense of grounding and ease unlike any that Ive experienced, andcalls to each one of us interested in transforming the experiences of our bodies. Reclaiming the Black Body is something that everyone needs to access; we will be better as a collective for doing so.Jessica Wilson, dieticianand author of Its Always Been Ours: Rewriting the Story of Black Womens Bodies

Alishia McCullough is a healer, thought leader and paradigm shifter.Her work is truly ahead of its time.Ilya Parker, educatorand founder of the Decolonizing Fitness movement

Author Bio

Alishia McCullough (she/her) is a licensed clinical mental health therapist and founder of Black and Embodied Counseling and Consulting PLLC. She specializes in somatic therapy, trauma healing, and eating disorder treatment with a focus on cultivating embodiment and fostering liberation. Alishia also runs the self-paced online course Reimagining Eating Disorders 101.