Body Image Counseling

Do You Struggle with Negative Body Image?

woman staring unhappily at self in mirror

Maybe you fixate on food, weight, or exercise in an effort to change your body and feel better. However, you realize that these efforts don’t change how you feel. Perhaps you’re wondering if you’ll ever find peace with your image, or if you’ll always be critical of the way you look. You long to feel confident and comfortable, but you may not know where to begin or how to repair the disconnect you feel with your body.

Maybe you fear that you’ll never feel good about your body. The fact that you are reading this means you’re ready for change and want to seek help—and that’s a powerful first step!

Maybe these thoughts are consuming more of your day-to-day life than you’d like—causing anxiety, depression, or a growing sense of isolation. You may avoid social events because of how you feel about your body, or perhaps you’ve stopped doing certain activities you used to enjoy because you don’t feel confident in your skin.

  • Do you obsess over your body’s perceived imperfections or flaws?

  • Do you constantly compare your body to others?

  • Engage in negative self-talk related to your body?

  • Worry about how others perceive your body and fear judgment or rejection?

Many People Suffer from Body Image Issues at Some Point in Their Life.

You’re not alone in feeling the way you do. Studies show that anywhere from 69-84% of women and 10-30% of men experience body dissatisfaction at some point in their lives. Whether it’s from societal pressures, family expectations, or the images we see on social media, our culture is full of unrealistic beauty standards. These pressures can be overwhelming and make it easy to feel dissatisfied with your body.

Navigating your relationship with your body can feel like an ongoing journey—full of ups and downs. Sometimes you might feel confident, while other times self-doubt and insecurity can take over. It’s important to understand that these struggles are common, and you are not alone in facing them.

For many people, these feelings go beyond the occasional insecurity. They manifest as negative body image, a term used to describe the deep dissatisfaction with one’s appearance. This can lead to obsessive thoughts, emotional distress, and unhealthy behaviors such as disordered eating or compulsive exercise.

Here’s the good news: with the right support, you can begin to reshape the way you see yourself. Therapy can provide a path toward healing, offering tools and insights that help you develop a healthier, more accepting relationship with your body.

close-up of person in pink shirt hugging notebook to chest in front of the ocean shore

At RelationshipStore, we understand that your body is your home—it’s where you live, and it offers you the means to experience life. If you’re struggling with body image issues, know that it IS possible to create a positive relationship with your body. We are here to help guide you through that journey.

We use a comprehensive approach to address the perceptions and attitudes you have toward your body. Although each person is different and your therapy sessions will be tailored to you, our therapists frequently use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), teach mindfulness practices, and help you integrate your thoughts and feelings in a healthier way. These tools can help you recognize and challenge the thoughts and beliefs that have shaped your body image over time.

Our sessions together will focus on helping you:

  • Strengthen your self-awareness: We’ll begin by exploring the root of your body image struggles—whether that’s societal pressure, past trauma, or other influences. Your therapist will help you recognize and understand the negative thought patterns that are feeding your body dissatisfaction.

  • Challenge negative beliefs: Many of our beliefs about our bodies are learned from an early age and reinforced over time. In therapy, you’ll learn how to identify these harmful beliefs and replace them with healthier, more balanced perspectives. We’ll explore where these beliefs came from and work toward reshaping them.

  • Develop self-compassion: A critical part of improving body image is learning to treat yourself with kindness and compassion. Many people are quick to judge or criticize their bodies, but through mindfulness practices, we’ll work on fostering self-acceptance. You’ll begin to see your body as something worthy of care and appreciation, rather than as a source of shame or frustration.

  • Set realistic expectations: Unrealistic beauty standards are one of the biggest contributors to poor body image. We’ll work together to challenge these standards and develop a more realistic view of what it means to be healthy, happy, and comfortable in your own body.

Our ultimate goal is to help you reclaim ownership of your body narrative. We believe that everyone has the power to cultivate a positive relationship with their body, and through our work together, you can learn to embrace and appreciate yourself for who you are.

What If I Don’t Feel Ready for Therapy?

It’s completely normal to feel hesitant about seeking help. You may worry that you will be judged for saying these feelings out loud. You might think that focusing on your body image issues will make you feel worse or that you won’t be able to change the way you think and feel. 

But here’s the thing—therapy doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It’s a process, and you don’t need to tackle everything all at once. The first step is simply acknowledging that you want to make a change. Many people start therapy unsure of what to expect or whether it will work for them, and that’s okay. What’s important is that you’ve recognized there’s a problem and are open to seeking support.

Another common concern is the belief that therapy won’t help because you’re too “stuck” in your ways and can’t make change. However, no matter how long you’ve struggled with negative body image, it’s possible to make lasting change. With the right tools and support, you can begin to break free from the pattern of self-criticism and embrace a healthier, more compassionate view of yourself.

We have worked with many clients facing body image issues.

We have seen firsthand how transformative therapy can be for these clients. We help individuals challenge negative thought patterns and develop a healthier, more positive relationship with their bodies.

Through our work together, you can begin to:

  • Understand the root causes of your body image struggles.

  • Reframe harmful beliefs that have been ingrained in your mind over time.

  • Show self-compassion and appreciation for your body.

  • Learn practical skills to manage the thoughts and emotions that come with body dissatisfaction.

We have seen clients make remarkable progress when they’re committed to the process. Many people leave therapy feeling more confident, empowered, and comfortable in their own skin. When you’re ready to do the work, we are here to help you.

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But You May Still Have Fears or Questions About Therapy for Body Image Issues

I’m worried therapy won’t help me overcome my body image issues.

It’s common to feel uncertain about whether therapy will work, especially if you’ve been struggling with body image issues for a long time. But therapy isn’t about “fixing” everything overnight—it’s about making gradual, meaningful changes. We have seen many clients experience significant breakthroughs, even those who have struggled with body image for much of their life.

I don’t have time for therapy.

We know that life can be busy, and making time for therapy can feel like a big commitment. Therapy is a long-term investment in your well-being. When you take the time now to work on your relationship with your body, you create a foundation that lasts. 

I’m not sure if my body image issues are serious enough to need therapy.

Body image issues come in many forms, and you don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Whether you’re dealing with mild dissatisfaction or more severe struggles, therapy can help you gain insight into your emotions and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

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What You Can Expect from Body Image Counseling at RelationshipStore

START YOUR JOURNEY TOWARDS BODY ACCEPTANCE TODAY.

You don’t have to keep feeling unhappy or disconnected from your body. Our counselors at RelationshipStore are here to help.

To schedule an appointment or if you have any questions, we’re available for texts and calls at (630) 974-6777, as well as via email at info@relationshipstore.org 

Our practice is located in Burr Ridge / Willowbrook, IL and offers online therapy sessions throughout Illinois.

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