Reimagining Recovery: Insights from Molly Robbins and Kat Rinaldi at MEDA 2025

Authored by Mandy Krzysiak, MSS Candidate and The Understory Group Intern

The 30th Annual MEDA Conference, held on May 1–2, 2025, in Framingham, MA, brought together clinicians, researchers, and advocates dedicated to advancing eating disorder treatment. Among the standout sessions were those led by Molly Robbins and Kat Rinaldi, whose presentations challenged conventional approaches and offered fresh perspectives on recovery. 

Molly Robbins: Embracing Weight Liberation in Exposure Therapy 

Molly Robbins, MS (she/they), a clinical psychology PhD candidate at Nova Southeastern University, presented “Feeling Fat”: Weight Liberation and Exposure Therapy Across the Size Spectrum. Drawing from her research and personal experiences, Robbins addressed the often-overlooked issue of anti-fat bias in eating disorder treatment. She critiqued the common practice of labeling the fear of fatness as a mere cognitive distortion, arguing that this perspective can invalidate clients' lived experiences and hinder recovery. Instead, Robbins

advocated for exposure-based interventions that acknowledge and confront societal weight stigma. Her approach emphasizes creating a therapeutic environment that supports clients in embracing their bodies and values, fostering a more inclusive path to recovery. 

Kat Rinaldi: Bridging Research and Practice Through Lived Experience 

Kat Rinaldi, a third-year Clinical Psychology PhD student, shared her commitment to making research more accessible to both clinicians and clients. Her work focuses on integrating evidence-based principles of exposure therapy to address anti-fat bias and eating disorder fears. 

Rinaldi highlighted the importance of incorporating peer support, especially for LGBTQ+ individuals in recovery. By grounding her research in both clinical practice and personal experience, she aims to bridge the gap between scientific findings and real-world application, ensuring that treatment approaches are both effective and empathetic. 

A Unified Vision for Inclusive Recovery 

Both Robbins and Rinaldi emphasized the necessity of addressing weight stigma and incorporating lived experiences into treatment paradigms. Their presentations underscored a shift towards more inclusive, trauma-informed care that validates clients' identities and experiences. 

As the field of eating disorder treatment continues to evolve, the insights from Robbins and Rinaldi serve as a reminder of the importance of challenging biases and embracing diverse perspectives. Their work not only informs clinical practice but also inspires a more compassionate approach to recovery.