Body Image Issues

Body image is how you see yourself when you picture yourself in your mind or when look in the mirror. Most people worry about how we look occasionally or see at least one aspect of our physical appearance we don’t like. But for some, these occasional thoughts can become frequent and disruptive. People with negative body image issues may avoid social situations and experience problems in relationships, depression, anger, anxiety, isolation, self-loathing and/or an obsession with weight loss. Body Dysmorphic Disorder (or BDD) is one example of a body-image disorder, characterized by persistent and intrusive preoccupations with an imagined or slight defect in one's appearance. The good news is that body image can be changed and BDD can be treated. Contact one of TherapyDen’s body image issues experts for help today!

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We receive so many messages from the world about all aspects of our bodies that are filtered through the lenses of racism, ableism, sizism, hetero and cisnormativity. These understandably have an impact on how we ourselves see and value our own bodies. I support clients in recognizing and deconstructing these internalized harmful messages to clear the way for a more authentic and caring relationship with ourselves.

— Adrian Eraslan, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Oakland, CA

We will deconstruct myths and perceptions about bodies and work toward removing value, stigma, and judgment from your relationship with your body. Accepting and working with the body you have today. Learn how to do no harm, but take no shit! Feel empowered to live your truth! Your body is the least exciting thing about you.

— Angel Whitehead, Psychotherapist in Blacksburg, VA
 

Body dissatisfaction, or negative body image, involves how you see, feel, and think about your body. A negative perception about your appearance or certain aspects of your body can impact your behaviors, relationships, sexuality, and overall wellbeing. If you would like to address body dissatisfaction in therapy, we will work together to build your understanding of how your unique experiences have influenced your perceptions of your body and your appearance.

— Jessica Byrd, Counselor in Tempe, AZ

Imagine spending your life with the people and things you love, without worrying about what you ate or how long you worked out today. Imagine feeling fulfilled, like you deserve to be happy: that you're good enough just as you are. Through therapy, you can feel at ease in your body, make peace with food, and live a life that reflects your true values.

— Sabrina Samedi, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in Westlake Village, CA
 

I teach clients body neutrality and work to break down barriers to weight stigma, body-focused perfectionism, and other cultural factors that lead to poor body image.

— Elise Miller, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate

I am completing my certification in the Be Nourished program- one of the only training programs on disordered eating that centers anti-opppression curriculum! And I have been working in fat liberation spaces for the last 10 + years.

— Maria Turner-Carney, Clinical Social Worker in TACOMA, WA
 

A significant part of my own healing has been in abstaining from life long approval-seeking through attempts to control this body's size and shape - attempts that appeared to work for years at a time, even, but eventually led to more preoccupation and diminished energy for my real life. Between my own experience and further professional training, I can offer a safe presence for your healing and life changes, no matter what your size and whether or not you are currently worried about body image.

— Christine Bates, Licensed Professional Counselor in Oxford, MS

Constantly criticizing our looks and having persistent low self-esteem in our appearance seems to be a norm in our culture. Finding freedom from our own negative beliefs can be the biggest act of kindness you give yourself.

— Allison Doyle, Clinical Social Worker in Kirkland, WA
 

In my training and research, I examined the impacts of body image concerns on BIPOC folx, women-identified individuals, and trans and gender-expansive folx across the lifespan.

— Mariah Beltran, Post-Doctoral Fellow

I work exclusively from a Health at Every Size Approach with my clients and work from a lens of achieving body neutrality with use of modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindful Self-Compassion and Somatic-based modalities. We dive deeper into the purpose or intentions behind body image disturbances and how these take people away from their intended values.

— Dawn Leprich-Graves, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Aurora, IL
 

Do you find yourself spending hours in front of the mirror? Have you ever felt that wave of anxiety when your go-to pair of jeans fits a little different than they did yesterday? Your body image is not a superficial problem. Your body is your home, a place in which you deserve to feel safe, peaceful, and connected. When you're at war with your body, its exhausting, frustrating, and maybe even intolerable. It's time for you and your body to get on the same page. Let's talk about it.

— Chloe Cox, Psychotherapist in Irvine, CA

Anti-fat bias is devastating to most people, particularly those in marginalized bodies. I specialize in working with people navigating the road to fat liberation and body justice and I reject diet culture and anti-fat bias through recognizing the harm done by our society and its obsession with thinness at all costs, and I specialize in supporting people to peace with their bodies at every size and ability.

— Natalie Chen, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Palo Alto, CA
 

Individuals experiencing eating disorders, disordered eating, body image concerns, body dysmorphia and more. I always utilize a Health at Every Size approach when it comes to these concerns. This work most frequently focuses on finding balance in eating, radical acceptance of body shape/size, and exploration of the root of this issue.

— Tabitha Brown, Clinical Social Worker in Vancouver, WA

Through our work together, clients learn to reframe negative thoughts and improve self-image using evidence-based techniques like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Additionally, I incorporate mindfulness practices and value-based work in my sessions to help individuals reclaim their worth beyond their bodies. I take an anti-diet and HAES perspective.

— Jocelyn Skoler, Licensed Master of Social Work
 

Our society encourages us to feel bad about our bodies. Together, we will find ways for you to accept yourself as you are. I will encourage you to focus on what your body can do instead of what it “should” look like. I will support you in pursuing better health at any size while feeling happier in your own skin.

— Cindy Blank-Edelman, Mental Health Counselor in Cambridge, MA

Diet culture is a system of belief that equates thinness to moral value, sees weight loss as a status gain, and oppresses people for not fitting their definition of “healthy”. It has been found to contribute to disordered eating behavior, fatphobia, and weight stigma. Many therapists reinforce these systems of oppression and stigma and can cause harm to their clients. These effects are often magnified for fat or larger-bodied clients. I believe in HAES, weight-neutrality, & body liberation.

— Dottie Gill, Clinical Psychologist in Seattle, WA
 

We all deserve to feel good about our bodies- but for many of us, that's complicated by years thinking or hearing that there's one right size or shape that we need to attain. I support you in sorting out diet culture programming from what's right for your health and well-being, and developing confidence and healthy habits that do not require a certain size.

— Abigail Thompson, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in New York, NY