Body image therapy
Are you at WAR with your own body?
When you look in the mirror, are you overwhelmed with self-loathing and shame? Do you criticize yourself for not being skinny enough, curvy enough or fit enough? Have years of restrictive diets and excessive exercise left you feeling disconnected from your body? Perhaps you feel like you've tried everything to "fix your flaws," but nothing seems to work. You feel exhausted, helpless and alone…
But you are NOT alone.
A 2018 study found that 83% of women in America reported feeling dissatisfied with their bodies. Diet culture has set an impossible standard for beauty. And when you don't live up to that standard, you feel worthless and ashamed. If you are stuck in a diet mentality, you may be struggling with:
Restrictive eating or dieting
Food anxiety and obsession (counting calories, meal planning)
Binge eating or feeling out of control when you eat
Emotional eating
Over-exercising
Low self-esteem
Avoiding social events and relationships
Feeling like you'll never be good enough
These self-punishing patterns can lead to overwhelming feelings of shame, depression and loneliness. Over time, they can damage your relationships with partners, family, friends and yourself.
While the diet mentality convinces you to wage war against your own body, body image therapy provides a pathway to peace.
Make peace with your body through body image therapy
Imagine looking in the mirror and feeling confident, not critical. (Yes, it's possible!) Through body image therapy, you can make peace with your body and feel comfortable in your own skin. No more endless cycles of dieting, binging, self-loathing and shame.
In our work together, I am committed to help you break free from the diet mentality and reclaim your relationship with food, exercise and your body through:
Exploring how diet culture, family of origin and personal experiences have influenced your relationship with food, exercise and your body
Reflecting on how your eating and exercise habits interfere with your relationships, work and goals
Forming new perspectives through the lens of self-compassion rather than self-criticism
Developing a trusting relationship with your body
Finding joy and pleasure in intuitive eating and mindful movement
Discovering your true, authentic, whole self
My approach
I work from a Health at Every Size (HAES) approach, which accepts and respects the natural diversity of body types. In sessions, I also utilize Intuitive Eating (IE) skills, which promote rebuilding trust with your body and rediscovering the simple joys of eating and movement.
Most importantly, I come from a place of personal understanding and deep empathy based on my own struggle with eating disorders and exercise addiction. I understand your pain because I've been there too. Through my own therapy and recovery, I have found a freedom and peace that I am passionate about sharing with others, just like you.
The new you
Clients whom I’ve work with have been able to:
Separate self-worth from the number on the scale
Appreciate their body for what is does, not what it looks like
Give themselves permission to eat without restrictions and guilt
Discover movement that brings them joy
Attune with their bodies' needs and meet those needs
Strengthen relationships with family and friends
Accept and appreciate their bodies
I believe…
Your body is worthy of love and care.
It's not an easy journey, but it is so worth it. If you are longing to break free from the diet mentality and make peace with your body, click on the link below to schedule a FREE consultation!