Ophelia’s Place, along with Nicole Christina, LCSW, will be hosting a screening of the documentary “Embrace” at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19, at Destiny USA Stadium 19. The organization has been able to bring the movie to Syracuse thanks to a campaign through GATHR Films. Ophelia’s Place, in conjunction with their body positive movement Circles of Change, was able to invite members of the community to purchase tickets in advance for the event in order to ensure that the movie could be screened. There are still tickets available for purchase (Gathr.us).
“Embrace” is a film by body image activist Taryn Brumfitt that follows her crusade as she explores the global issue of body loathing, inspiring us to change the way we feel about ourselves and think about our bodies. It has been highly recommended by Ashton Kutcher, Ricki Lake and Rosie O’Donnell, among others.
Brumfitt’s message is in line with the goals of Circles of Change, to change the culture and conversation around health, beauty, and bodies, and the hope is that inviting the community to be a part of the event will act as its own circle of change.
After the screening there will be a panel to discuss the film. The panel will be moderated by Nicole Christina, LCSW, and will include:
- Lisa Thomas is a registered dietitian with 12 years of experience working in the field of eating disorder recovery & prevention. Lisa has facilitated trainings, workshop series and events in mind eating positive body image and nutritional balance in an effort to improve the mind-body connection and promote overall health and wellness. She is a member of the eating disorder team at SU and has a private practice specializing in eating disorder recovery.
- Jill Catherine: Since 2003, Jill has been working within the support/prevention/education arenas of eating disorders and body image with Ophelia’s Place in her role as the Spokesperson; within the field of communications, with her last post as Director of Communications for the Division of Student Affairs at Syracuse University; and the arts as co-founder of Wacheva Cultural Arts. She is a graduate of Ithaca College.
- Gillian McGann is a story-teller, an advocate, a coach and a body image educator. A passion for empowerment, justice, and education has fueled her work as the director for Ophelia’s Place. When she is not directing Ophelia’s Place, she is working with middle and high-school students through Young Life in the Cicero-North Syracuse School District. She is a graduate of Boston College.
- Nicole Christina is a psychotherapist with more than 25 years of clinical experience. She specializes in eating and food related issues, mindfulness, burnout and stress reduction. She recently launched her new web-course: DIETS DON’T WORK (but mindful eating does!). She is a graduate of Smith College School for Social Work. You can find her at NicoleChristina.com.
