Unlearning Fat Bias, Embracing Size Inclusion: A Phenomenological Exploration of Learning About Sizeism and Fatphobia in Counselor Education

Sizeism and fatphobia remain pervasive forms of bias that harm mental and physical health, yet counselor education curricula have largely neglected body size as a dimension of multicultural and social justice competence. This transcendental phenomenological study explored counselors-in-training’s (CITs’) experiences of learning about sizeism and fatphobia and unlearning weight bias within a graduate multicultural counseling course. Data included eight individual interviews, one focus group with 11 participants, and 22 written or expressive course artifacts from 11 participants. Through phenomenological analysis, we generated five themes: (1) body as protection and identity; (2) internalized stigma and double standards; (3) evolving counselor awareness and inclusive practice; (4) intersectionality and cultural influence; and (5) transformative learning through reflection and expression. Findings indicate that intentional, reflective instruction can increase awareness of systemic sizeism, surface internalized weight stigma and size privilege, and support concrete size-inclusive counseling practices. Implications address curriculum design, emotionally responsive pedagogy, and safeguards for teaching sensitive body-related material.