The Critic, the Child and the Nurturer: A group case study of art therapy in a weight-neutral frame for women with body image concerns
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Keywords
Art therapy, \weight-neutral practice, body image, anti-fat bias, South Africa, inner child, inner critic, fat liberation
Abstract
This article explores how art therapy can function as a weight-neutral practice for South African women experiencing body image distress. Grounded in a six-week narrative art therapy group, the study drew on Ashlee Bennett’s (2022) three characters: the Body Critic, the Younger Self, and the Body Nurturer. Participants were able to externalise shame and imagine new ways of relating to their bodies. Using a qualitative, arts-based approach, the group revealed how internalised body criticism often stems from gendered, cultural, and familial influences. Through arts-based thematic analysis, three therapeutic processes were identified: the externalisation of internalised shame, the re-authoring of body narratives, and the emergence of self-compassion. Findings suggest that art therapy grounded in a weight-neutral stance offers an inclusive, ethically responsive alternative to weight-centric models of care. The article concludes with recommendations for (1) practice – embedding weight-neutral and anti-fat-bias frameworks in therapeutic work, (2) training – integrating critical engagement with weight-neutral practices and confronting anti-fat bias in art therapy education, and (3) research – developing decolonial and contextually grounded approaches to body image in South Africa. This study represents the first documented application of weight-neutral narrative art therapy in the region.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Tavia Viglietti , University of Johannesburg
Tavia Viglietti is currently completing her MA in Art Therapy through the University of Johannesburg. She has a special interest in fat liberation - particularly as it applies to the therapeutic space. Her clinical work has taken place at public psychiatric hospitals surrounding Cape Town. Prior to this, Tavia lectured psychology modules for Southern New Hampshire University's BA degree programme in partnership with the Global Education Movement and the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town, which offers scholarships to refugees across 7 countries.
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