Counseling for Body Image

How often do you catch yourself in a mirror, only to be flooded with shame and criticisms about how you look? Maybe you find yourself feeling uncomfortable in your own skin and not being able to find a connection between what you see in the mirror and who you are on the inside. But no matter how hard you try to change your physical self, it never seems to be good enough. You still find harsh words to hurl at the reflection in the mirror in hopes that something will change.

Body image perception - in other words the way you see and attribute meaning to your outward appearance - often shows up in shame, self-criticism, and avoidance. You feel like you are less likable or even less worthy of love because of how your body has changed. You stop doing things you love or wearing things that express who you are simply because you are afraid of the judgment, by yourself or others.

What you need to know

There is not one single body type or size that is associated with better body image. Body image and issues do not discriminate and affect people of every shape, size, and demographic. In order to heal your relationship with your body, you must let go of the idea that the answer to bad body image is changing your appearance.

There is a multi-billion dollar industry that is profiting off insecurities related to body image and appearance. There are so many forces at play that have trained and socialized you to believe certain things about the worthiness and value of your body. Therapy to address body image issues will help you untangle these beliefs and truly understand that your value and worth have nothing to do with your body.

Will body image therapy help me?

• Do you feel anxiety or shame when looking at your body?

• Do you have a lot of negative self-talk about your appearance?

• Do you avoid looking in the mirror or being in pictures?

• Do you leave shopping trips feeling defeated, sad, or angry?'

• Do you fear you're addicted to food?

• Are you a chronic dieter?

• Does your weight fluctuate a lot?

• Do you compulsively exercise to make up for "bad" meals?

Because of the society and culture we have been influenced by, you most likely answered yes to at least a few of these questions. You don't have to be limited by body shame anymore and you can start living a full and meaningful life without the worry and obsession over how you look. Schedule a free consultation and see how therapy for body image can help you.