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!

Need help finding the right therapist?
Find Your Match

Meet the specialists

 

Maybe you feel like you don't have a good idea of how you even appear, your appearance seemingly shifting from one moment to the next, a string that controls how good or bad your day will be. Maybe you feel caught in a cycle of the next diet or next skincare product, just waiting for the thing that will make you feel like you can inhabit your own skin. I'm here to offer a different way, and love helping people find an easier relationship to themselves and their bodies.

— Tori Cherry, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Chicago, IL

I am a Health At Every Size advocate. Through journaling exercises and exposure exercises, I help womxn become more comfortable with their bodies. I help clients shift the focus from what they hate about their bodies to what amazing things their bodies do for them. I also work to challenge the unrealistic, Western, thin ideal that has become such a dangerous but predominant narrative in our culture.

— Amanda Wetegrove-Romine, Psychologist in San Antonio, TX
 

Rita is trained in Intuitive Eating and is a Health at Every Size aligned clinician. She uses intuitive eating principles to help Clients heal their relationships with food and their bodies. Rita believes that health looks different for everyone and comes in all shapes and sizes.

— Rita Aliperti, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York, NY

Most of us have felt, at one point or another, that our body's size or shape is somehow wrong. For those of us who identify as fat, or whose bodies are otherwise considered atypical, it can feel impossible to distinguish our authentic feelings about our bodies from the forces that profit off of our self-criticism. I approach our work from a fat-positive, all-bodies-are-good-bodies perspective that prioritizes individual bodily autonomy and experience.

— Abby Weintraub, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in ,
 

HAES practitioner Intuitive Eating Looking through a social justice lens Fat positive, I live in a bigger body myself

— Miranda Mulcrone, Clinical Social Worker in Chicago, IL

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
 

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. Your relationship to food and your body are powerful entry points into exploring more about yourself and what you truly want out of life.

— Angel Whitehead, Psychotherapist in Blacksburg, VA

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
 

We live in a fatphobic society, and diet culture only makes it worse. It's hard to feel good about yourself when we receive messages to NOT be happy with ourselves, to always be striving for more. If you struggle with feeling comfortable in your own skin, I can help you build body tolerance. It's OK if you're not feeling positive about your body! I've treated restrictive eating patterns, binge-eating, and symptoms of Bulimia in my practice. Let's get you to a place of acceptance.

— Tracy Vadakumchery, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York, NY

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
 

I support clients in exploring their relationship to their body and the factors that have impeded this relationship, including gender, diet culture, and dissociation. I do not provide formal eating disorder treatment. I may refer you to an appropriate provider if your current situation requires medical monitoring.

— Caitlin Wehrwood, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Tacoma, WA

A major area of my dissertation research, and an area of passion of mine, clinically and personally!

— Tess Carroll Keeley, Clinical Psychologist in Denver, CO
 

I work with Body Image concerns, including but not limited to: Body Dysmorphia; Eating Disorders; Weight Gain/Loss; Food Shame; Food Addiction; Exercise Addiction; Familial Trauma; Bullying/Harassment; Kink; Puberty and Body Changes; Gender Exploration; Plastic Surgery; Ageing; Pregnancy; Reclamation of Self

— Sarah Farnsworth, Psychoanalyst in Los Angeles, CA

I am passionate about helping clients stronger relationship with their body and food. I discuss body image through a framework of body-neutrality.

— Lauren Appelson, Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Candidate in Chicago, IL
 

Body image is deeply embedded in eating disorder recovery and motherhood. I have extensive training in body image issues and how to relearn body image, beauty ideals, and reconnect with our good bodies. I do not focus on the way our body looks or changing our body to heal body image- we know our bodies aren't the problem! If you want true freedom, I help in redefining and reconnecting with our bodies and what defines a body. All bodies are good bodies here!

— Melodye Phillips, Licensed Professional Counselor in Tyler, TX

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
 

Most of us have felt, at one point or another, that our body's size or shape is somehow wrong. For those of us who identify as fat, or whose bodies are otherwise considered atypical, it can feel impossible to distinguish our authentic feelings about our bodies from the forces that profit off of our self-criticism. I approach our work from a fat-positive, all-bodies-are-good-bodies perspective that prioritizes individual bodily autonomy and experience.

— Abby Weintraub, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in ,

Negative self-talk and low self-esteem often go hand in hand with body image issues. It's very hard to feel good about yourself on the inside if you're constantly criticizing your physical body. I am passionate about guiding clients towards radical self-acceptance of the bodies they are in right now, today.

— Celia Kelly, Student Therapist in Parker, CO
 

No matter your body size or shape, worrying about appearance too much can be painful. I help teens and adults of all genders develop tools for coping with body image issues. Difficulties with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, trauma and/or life transitions can be related to trouble with eating and body image. My approach integrates cognitive behavioral (CBT) interventions with acceptance, self-compassion, and embodiment practices.

— Kathryn Huryk, Clinical Psychologist in Berkeley, CA