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Abstract
Eating disorders are often mis-characterized as White womens disorders, and there is an erroneous belief that the prevalence of eating disorders in American women of color is rare. However, research suggests that Latinx individuals report levels of body dissatisfaction and eating problems similar to those of White women. Although increasing attention is being paid to the enhancement of multicultural competencies for mental health professionals (American Psychological Association, 2017), little research has explored the experiences for Latinx clients in engaging in traditional treatments for Anorexia Nervosa. This qualitative study examined the experiences of Anorexia Nervosa treatment for individuals who identify as Latinx. Utilizing a phenomenological perspective, a Reflective Lifeworld Research approach (Dahlberg, Dahlberg, & Nystrm, 2008), this research explored Latinx individuals cultural experiences of Anorexia treatment. Data analysis yielded two essences of the phenomenon: the experience of isolation, both from mental health professionals and from Latinx culture, as well as the experience of cultural competence. Implications for treatment providers include recommendations directly from participants for providing culturally competent Anorexia treatment to Latinx clients.