Therapy for Body Image
in Huntersville and virtually across NC
Untangle body image from your self-worth.
It’s not you, it’s society.
Our body is something we became aware of from a young age but as we grow up the perception of it quickly changes. These thoughts can be swayed by the messages we hear and ultimately internalize. Maybe you grew up in a household where dieting was the norm and heard the way those around you spoke about their bodies, making you question your own appearance. In recent years, the rise of social media has led to a decline in overall satisfaction with body image as we’re constantly surrounded by society’s “ideal body.” This can often lead to low self-esteem (“why don’t I look like her?”) and hyper fixation on the way we look that often time hinders confidence.
Do you find yourself…
Comparing yourself to other women, whether in real life or on social media
Avoiding looking in the mirror or at pictures of yourself
Holding yourself back from doing the things you love because you feel self-conscious
Embarrassed and uncomfortable with the way you look
Struggling to genuinely compliment yourself
Are you tired of struggling with your body image?
My approach to body image
It can feel inauthentic to rapidly move from a deeply ingrained negative body image to an overwhelming amount of positivity. I take a body neutrality approach, meaning that we will practice an acknowledgement and acceptance for what your body allows you to do and recognize that your body is just one aspect of you as a whole. In developing a sense of respect and neutrality, you don’t have to feel the need to say statements about your body don’t feel genuine to you. Mindfulness also plays a key role in learning to appreciate the way you look, right here and now. In our sessions, we will challenge the way you see and perceive your body, and move toward a deeper appreciation of it.
FAQs about therapy for body image
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Neutrality focuses on the idea that we can simply exist within our bodies. Positivity can absolutely be helpful but constantly pushing self-love when we’re not ready can feel discouraging.
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Mindfulness is often thought of as focusing on the present and can help by accepting that your body looks different from day to day and that’s okay.
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The goal is not to change your body but rather to accept and appreciate it.
