LESLIE M. FAERSTEIN, ED.D, LCSW
Wise conversations on women and aging.
how do we own our
bodies as we age?
Older women live at the intersection of sexism and ageism. As a psychotherapist specializing in eating disorders, I understand the far-reaching sociological issues of body image for women. And as a woman in her early 70s, I recognize that our youth-oriented society provides few—if any—realistic role models on aging.
How do we own our bodies and ourselves as we age? I write, speak, and work with individuals and groups to transform women's relationships to their bodies throughout their lives. I believe older women should know they are valuable—not invisible. My generation experienced a collective “consciousness raising” in our late teens and twenties. Now, I believe it's time to come together again and build a more inclusive world.
"WE ARE VALUABLE, NOT INVISIBLE."
I received a Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University and a doctorate from Teachers College at Columbia University in Family and Community Education. I'm a psychotherapist specializing in women, body image, and trauma, and run a private practice in New York City. In addition to my work as a therapist, I have more than four decades of experience in non-profit management, focused on women's health, behavioral health, and music in healthcare—including Musicians on Call, The Brooklyn Heights Counseling Center, The Arts and Health Alliance, and Lincoln Hall Boys Haven. Most recently, I was the executive director at amazing.community, an organization focused on expanding the work horizon for women over 50.
THERAPY
I have four decades of experience focused on women and body image, as well as extensive experience working with clients on anxiety, depression, and trauma. I'm currently running a virtual group support session on Body Positivity with Sesh.
WRITING
I write about body image, sexism, and ageism. You can find examples of my work below.
SPEAKING
I've spoken at conferences and on podcasts including Twisting the Plot, The Age Buster, and Project Inclusion.
Consulting
I combine my extensive experience in managing non-profits and my psychotherapy knowledge to work with teams on addressing sexism and ageism in the workplace.
SPEAKING & INTERVIEWS
We were looking at compulsive eating and eating disorders as not just being a psychological disease, but as one that was also sociological... how women are treated and seen and how we see ourselves in this society.
INTERVIEW ON TWISTING THE PLOT
We are pushed to conform to what society and companies want, but I think we need to own who we are... That’s why I talk about my thinning hair, my need for hearing aids.
PROFILE IN
THE AGE BUSTER
It is natural to worry about finances during this pandemic. For those who have jobs, it is hard to feel like we can count on them. We worry about our own finances, our economy, and our mental health and that of those we love.
INTERVIEW ON FINANCIALLY
NAKED
Dr. Leslie M. Faerstein and La-Verna Fountain didn’t get the memo that it’s time to go invisible. Instead, they decided that being a woman in her 60’s and 70’s means it’s time to speak up, have influence and inspire change.
PROFILE IN TWISTING THE PLOT
WRITING
Below are a few of my recent posts. You can find more of my writing here on my blog and subscribe to my newsletter below.
