Affirming Bodies, Affirming Occupations: Occupational Therapy’s Role in Body Image Intervention for LGBTQIA+ Adults
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2026
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Course Description
Adults who identify as LGBTQIA+ experience significant mental health disparities and disproportionately high rates of body dissatisfaction (The Trevor Project, 2023). Body image concerns within this population may involve distress related to body weight, body shape, appearance, or gender expression and can negatively impact occupational performance, including health management, activities of daily living, social participation, and engagement in meaningful routines. Persistent body image distress is associated with increased mental health symptoms, reduced healthcare engagement, and barriers to occupational participation across multiple life domains (Mirabella et al., 2020; National LGBT Health Education Center, 2018).
This presentation will explore the unique role of occupational therapy in addressing body image concerns among LGBTQIA+ adults through analysis of a group therapy intervention developed as part of a fellowship capstone project. The project involved the development and implementation of an affirming, occupation-based occupational therapy group program designed to support mental health, reduce body image distress, and promote engagement in meaningful occupations.
The presentation will highlight considerations for developing population-specific programming that is trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming, and responsive to the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals. Program outcomes, participant feedback, and clinical implications will be examined to demonstrate the value of occupation-based and affirming interventions in addressing body image concerns within LGBTQIA+ populations. The presentation will conclude with discussion of opportunities to expand occupational therapy’s role in LGBTQIA+ health through inclusive program development, and intervention recommendations focused on body image, mental health, and occupational participation.
Speakers
Bridget Farrell, OTD, OTR/L (she/her) is an occupational therapist currently practicing in inpatient acute care psychiatry, with a strong commitment to mental health care and trauma-informed practice. She previously completed a one-year LGBTQIA2S+ Health fellowship, where her capstone project focused on program development and involved creating and facilitating a body image group for LGBTQ+ individuals. Bridget has also worked with a nonprofit organization supporting young adults with foster care backgrounds, where she developed mental health programming and provided occupational therapy services focused on mental health and life skills. Bridget’s clinical and program development experiences inform her passion for inclusive, trauma-informed occupational therapy practice and for advancing the profession’s role in supporting body image, mental health, and well-being among LGBTQ+ individuals.
Presentation Slides – Click here to Access/Download
Content Level
Introductory: This level assumes the audience has little or no information regarding the content area.
Intermediate: This level assumes the audience has general familiarity with the literature and professional practice. The focus of the presentation is on increased understanding and application by the participants.
Practice Areas
Emerging Practice Area; Mental Health; Other