How can a therapist help with body image?
Therapy can help improve body image by addressing the underlying causes of negative body image. They can assist clients in understanding the thoughts causing poor body image and help foster a sense of body positivity and improved self-esteem. Therapists can also help treat conditions commonly associated with poor body image, such as disordered eating, anxiety, or depression. Therapists can help clients develop coping skills, identify negative thought patterns, and encourage body positive behaviors in order to improve negative body image.
What type of therapist do I need to improve body image?
Therapists of all types can see clients looking to improve their body image, including social workers, psychologists, and mental health counselors. Clients should look for a therapist who has experience treating clients with body image concerns and related treatment modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Clients with more specific concerns surrounding disordered eating may benefit from seeing a therapist who specializes in eating disorders, such as Anorexia, Bulimia, or Binge Eating Disorder.
What does therapy for positive body image involve?
Body image therapy often involves a combination of talk therapy and coping skill development to equip clients with tools to improve their body image. Therapists may assign clients journaling exercises, mindfulness exercises, or cognitive restructuring exercises to help facilitate change; they may also encourage clients to reflect on how the use of technology, such as social media, may be shaping beliefs about their body. Body image therapy can also involve consultation from a Registered Dietitian or Nutritionist, who may be able to help clients develop healthier eating patterns and better understand how their intake may be influencing their body image.What should I look for in a therapist specializing in body image?
The most important factor in finding a therapist for body image issues is ensuring they are a good fit for your personality and therapeutic goals. Many body image therapists adopt a body-positive or body-neutral stance, or they may use a Health at Every Size approach. If you have specific diagnoses, such as disordered eating or mood disorders, seeking a therapist experienced in treating these conditions is particularly important. Some body image therapists may take a more intensive therapeutic approach, encouraging clients to regularly engage in exercises and homework-type journaling or cognitive behavioral thought restructuring exercises to improve their body image, while other therapists may utilize a less structured approach; clients should therefore consider which approaches will work best for them, as well as whether a given therapist is affordable and/or accepts their insurance.