Coffee and Conversation: Body Image in the LGBTQ+ Community

Kaila is an open member of the LGBTQ+ community and has been passionate about improving care to LGBTQ+ members within therapy and the health care system. Kaila Peak-Rishel earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology as well as Women and Gender Studies with a minor in LGBTQ+ Studies at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. Graduating Magna Cum Laude, she knew she wanted to severe the LGBTQ+ community within relationship therapy and eating disorders. Kaila moved to Denver and obtained her Master of Social Work at University of Denver with a concentration in family systems. She went on to earn her Marriage and Family Therapy Certification at Denver Family Institute, in which she worked and focused on individuals and relationships within the LGBTQ+ and poly communities. During this time, Kaila worked at Children’s Hospital Colorado on the Eating Disorder Unit and trained in Maudsley on impatient, partial hospitalization, and outpatient levels of care. Before opening her private practice in July of 2016, she worked at the Gender Identity Center mainly working with individuals through their transition. During this time, Kaila also ran a beauty group to help transwomen learn more beauty techniques from each other and acted as an open forum to discuss body image. Kaila also has a background in the salon industry. After graduate school Kaila focused completely to work on getting the best care for the LGBTQ+ community with eating disorders, anxiety, and depression in all levels of care. Kaila currently works at Eating Recovery Center on the Child and Adolescent Unit and serves as the LGBTQ+ subject matter expert. Kaila works with leadership to improve the ways ERC provides treatment to the LGBTQ+ during their stay and teaches staff about the LGBTQ+ culture and barriers to successful treatment. Kaila continues to run a small private practice that focuses on sexuality, sexual traumas, and relationships. Kaila is a member of AASECT- American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (www.aasect.org) and AAMFT- American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists(www.aamft.org). Kaila’s CEDS – Certified Eating Disorder Specialist – application is currently pending for approval.