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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As a weight inclusive provider, I acknowledge the hardships many (if not most) folks face due to the societal promotion and acceptance of fatphobia and weight stigma. I aim to support clients in finding body neutrality/acceptance in order to take space in this world and focus on living a life without feeling ashamed or the need to control your physical appearance. This may involve exploring and processing our own forms of internalized narratives and rewrite our script to live more authentically.

— Vanessa Steffny, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate in Bellevue, 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
 

You go out for dinner with friends and spend more time counting calories than connecting. Your mood for the day is determined by a number on a scale. You feel so ashamed when you enjoy certain foods that you can actually enjoy them. I believe you can feel safe and comfortable in your body and confident in who you are. My work is body inclusive, HAES aligned, Intuitive Eating based, and social justice centered. Let's talk about your journey towards body liberation.

— Karyn Noel, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

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
 

I am a body-positive clinician and have conducted and published research in the area of body image and self-objectification. I work with disordered eating and use an intuitive eating approach to help clients make peace with their body and food.

— Nichole Spjut, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Fort Mitchell, KY

Your body is your home. Yet, let's face it, living it is tough—it's a collective journey. Our bodies don't exist in isolation, they're shaped by the world, systems, and people around us. With care, a deep connection to self, and fostering relationships, I aim to guide you in rediscovering self-love. Let's celebrate your authentic self, cherishing what sets you apart, one breath at a time.

— Savannah Weatherington, Licensed Professional Counselor
 

I believe in health at every size. I am trained in Intuitive Eating and love to help individuals get to a place where they can appreciate and value their bodies, while also increasing health, no matter what the body presents like.

— Rachel Herr, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Minneapolis, MN

Body image struggles are common, yet painful. I support individuals with exploring where their body image struggles are coming from and developing practicing to build a more compassionate relationship to the body.

— Sarah Levy, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
 

As a fat person, I have long been familiar with the anguish of living with weight-stigma. As an eating disorder therapist, I came to appreciate the profound and disorienting experience of negative body image driven by body dysmorphia. In addition to confronting the harmful impacts of anti-fat bias and diet-culture, my clients also deal with the negative impacts of racism, ableism, & gender dysphoria on body image. We must both love ourselves & stand up to systems of oppression.

— Chelsea Hall, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Princeton, NJ

We are body image healers! Whether it be chronic illness or pain, disordered eating habits, or past experiences/trauma that have led to a disconnect from the body or negative thoughts, beliefs, or perceptions about the self, our Therapists are here to help you rewrite those narratives to one with hope, compassion, and peace.

— Joy360 Wellness, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
 

Diet industry and fat phobic culture continues to grow more profitable for corporations fueled by the old shame cycle perpetuated by pseudo-science now debunked that diets don't work and never have for over the hundreds thousands of years for homo sapiens. We had to evolve to survive famines and droughts so our bodies fight this whole process of trying to intentionally loose weight. Time to learn to be free of this diet culture and fat phobia and work on body liberation.

— Aaron Relyea, Licensed Professional Counselor in , TX

Clients who need support with body and food issues often worry how others perceive their body and food choices. Clients may obsess over food and fear that they are "bad" for what they eat. Clients may also struggle with not finding joy in physical activity. I work from a Health At Every Size lens, which means we work on eliminating shame around your body and find ways to engage in food and activities you enjoy. Weight loss is not the goal in this work.

— Katie Gilbertson, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Federal Way, WA
 

I am passionate about researching evidence based treatment to help females build better relationships with their bodies. Whether you have an unhealthy and complicated relationship to food, yourself or your body (or all of the above), I got you. I use many different journaling exercises and therapy tools to help my clients have a better relationship to their bodies. I know that together we can have you feeling better about your body thoughts, food patterns and food thoughts very soon.

— Kerri Bicskei, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in tampa, FL

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
 

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

Many of us internalize messages starting at a young age that can lead to either positive or negative body image. Having a healthy body image is an important part of mental wellbeing and eating disorder prevention. Diets don't improve body image—not because you’re failing to follow the rules but because diets are failing you. Learn effective strategies to help experience greater body tolerance, body acceptance, body love, and to spend less time thinking about your body image.

— Lola Martin, Clinical Psychologist in Pasadena, CA
 

I am a Health at Every Size (HAES) practitioner and a fierce advocate for body acceptance and liberation. I believe all bodies are good bodies, regardless of size, shape, or ability.

— Kirsten Cannon, Counselor in Memphis, TN

We live in a society that is SO hostile toward those who don't fit the traditional ideal of beauty, which, let's face it, is most of us! I practice under the principles of Health-At-Every-Size and Intuitive Eating and strongly believe one's health is not determined by one's weight. I do NOT promote diets of any kind and work with clients to improve their relationship with food and their bodies as is.

— Jacqueline 'Jackie' Abeling, Marriage & Family Therapist in ,