Body Image Issues

I believe in a Health at Every Size (HAES) perspective. Negative body-image can deeply impact our life satisfaction, our willingness to be ourselves, and our willingness to get close to others. It also comes with its fair share of trauma and grief, which once processed, can lead to a more positive relationship with your body and you can find enjoyment in being in your own unique body.

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

We are often our own harshest critics, and the way we perceive ourselves can be wildly different from the reality of how we truly present in the world. In addition to this, social media constantly bombards us with idealized images of bodies and lifestyles that are unrealistic and often misleading. Rather than striving for body positivity or self-love alone, my primary focus with clients is to foster a sense of body neutrality.

Body image issues and eating disorders are sometimes co-occurring for some clients with anxiety disorders. For the past two years I have worked with adolescents and adults who struggle with body image.

If you struggle with feelings of anxiety and self-judgment regarding your physical body's appearance or abilities, and feel overwhelmed and hopeless because of these painful feelings there are things we can work on together to help you find a more peaceful, kind, and functional way to relate to your body and food. I have worked in residential, partial hospitalization, and outpatient levels of care to treat eating disorders and body image concerns, and I want to share that experience to help you.

Using evidence-based approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and self-compassion techniques, I work with clients to explore the root causes of their body image concerns and develop new, empowering perspectives. Together, we address the emotional and psychological factors contributing to body dissatisfaction and focus on building a more balanced and compassionate view of yourself.

I will help you find a way to make peace with your body and to trust your body in a way that deemphasizes the focus you place on your body.

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

Everyone has issues with their body image, to some extent. I am curious about where and when this belief first started, and what role it plays in your life today.

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!

Body image stems from our relationship with ourselves and our body. This becomes complicated by experiences of chronic illness, weight, or a lack in physical or emotional ability. We can focus on the aesthetics; however, we also need to address what is happening internally with our insecurities as well as how we carry ourselves in relationships.

We all deserve to feel good about our bodies- but for many of us, that's complicated by years thinking or hearing that there's one right size or shape that we need to attain. I support you in sorting out diet culture programming from what's right for your health and well-being, and developing confidence and healthy habits that do not require a certain size.

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.

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.

I'm a psychotherapist dedicated to the "Health at Every Size" (HAES) framework. I advocate for holistic well-being, emphasizing that health is not determined by body size but by healthy behaviors and self-acceptance. I support clients in developing a positive relationship with their bodies, promoting intuitive eating, and embracing physical and mental health at any size. I prioritize a non-judgmental space for clients to explore their relationship with their bodies and make empowered choices.

I am an active learner and practicer of the body-neutrality and anti-diet-culture movements. These issues are personally important to me and I enjoy helping my clients learn about the pillars of intuitive eating and body neutrality.

How we feel in our own skin impacts how we experience so many things in our lives. The messaging to feel not good enough comes from so many places it can feel hard to stay tethered to your sense of being enough. I work with clients to explore their relationship with themselves and to cultivate a practice of compassionate acceptance. I take a HAES approach.

Cis-Hetero-Patriarchy and White Supremacy has filled us all up with harmful, restrictive, and value ridden attitudes towards bodies. No wonder we have complicated relationships with food, eating, and bodies. The dominant systems in place uphold diet culture and anti-fat bias in order to maintain power and control. By recognizing the origins of harmful practices in your life, you may begin the practice of unlearning and replacing these limiting and painful beliefs.

For over five years, I've supported clients in enhancing their body image. My approach integrates a Health At Every Size, Feminist, and Anti-Racist perspective, prioritizing weight-neutral care, fostering body acceptance, encouraging joyful movement, and elevating self-worth.