Find a Body Image Therapist

Understanding body image and why it matters

Body image is the set of thoughts, feelings, and beliefs you hold about your physical appearance. It includes how you perceive your body, how you feel about the way you look, and the behaviors you engage in because of those perceptions. For many people, body image shifts over time with life events, relationships, media exposure, and physical changes. When body image becomes a persistent source of distress it can affect your mood, your social life, and the activities you choose to pursue.

People of all ages, genders, and backgrounds can struggle with body image. The experience may show up as persistent self-criticism, avoidance of certain activities, comparing yourself to others, or repeated attempts to change your body through diet or exercise that feel compulsive. Because appearance is tied to identity for many people, concerns about body image often intersect with self-worth, intimacy, and career choices.

Signs you might benefit from therapy for body image

If you find your thoughts about your appearance take up a large part of your day or lead you to avoid social situations, that is a strong sign therapy could help. You might also notice that you are frequently checking mirrors, weighing yourself, or seeking reassurance about your looks from others. Changes in mood tied to appearance - such as feeling very down after seeing certain images online or feeling anxious before events - are common indicators that body image concerns are having a meaningful impact on daily life.

Other signs that therapy could be useful include engaging in restrictive eating, bingeing, or other behaviors that feel out of control; experiencing a sense of shame about your body; or having difficulty forming intimate relationships because of worries about appearance. Even if your concerns do not reach clinical thresholds, therapy can provide strategies to improve how you relate to your body and reduce the mental energy spent on appearance-related thoughts.

What to expect in body image therapy sessions

When you begin work with a therapist on body image, the early sessions often focus on building a clear, shared understanding of your experience. Your clinician will ask about your history with body image, any behaviors that are linked to appearance concerns, and how those thoughts affect your life. Together you will set goals that might include reducing distress, changing unhelpful behaviors, or improving self-esteem.

Therapy sessions typically blend exploration with practical skills practice. You can expect to reflect on the origins of your body image concerns, identify patterns of thinking that keep you feeling stuck, and learn new ways to respond to triggers. Your therapist may introduce exercises you can do between sessions to practice noticing thoughts without immediately reacting, to experiment with new behaviors, or to cultivate a kinder inner voice.

Progress can be gradual and may involve setbacks. A helpful therapist will help you make sense of relapses, adjust strategies, and celebrate change when it happens. Sessions are designed to be collaborative, with you guiding what feels most relevant while the therapist offers clinical perspective and tools.

Therapeutic approaches commonly used

Cognitive-behavioral approaches are frequently used for body image work. These methods help you identify and challenge distorted thoughts about appearance, test the evidence for negative beliefs, and develop alternative, more balanced ways of thinking. Behavioral experiments and exposure-based techniques can help reduce avoidance and teach you that feared outcomes often do not occur in the way you imagine.

Acceptance-based approaches, including elements of acceptance and commitment therapy, focus on helping you live more in line with your values even when uncomfortable body-related thoughts arise. These approaches encourage you to notice thoughts without letting them dictate behavior and to make choices that align with who you want to be.

Compassion-focused strategies aim to soften harsh self-criticism and build a more accepting internal stance toward your body. Mindfulness practices can help you become more aware of bodily sensations and the flow of thoughts without being swept away by them. For some people, trauma-informed care and psychodynamic work are appropriate when body image concerns are tied to earlier relational experiences or painful memories.

How online therapy works for body image concerns

Online therapy offers a practical option for addressing body image, particularly if you prefer the convenience of meeting from home or if local options are limited. Sessions typically take place via video or phone and follow the same therapeutic structure as in-person work - assessment, goal setting, skill-building, and review. Many therapists also combine live sessions with written exercises, worksheets, or recorded practices that you can use between appointments.

When you choose online care, think about the environment where you will participate. Selecting a quiet, comfortable setting for sessions can make it easier to focus and engage in emotionally important conversations. Good online therapy includes clear agreements about appointments, payment, and how to handle missed sessions. Your therapist will also discuss how to access support if you ever feel overwhelmed between appointments.

Tips for choosing the right therapist for body image

Look for a clinician who lists body image, self-esteem, or related issues as a focus area. Reading therapist profiles can help you learn about their approaches, years of experience, and population they work with, such as adolescents, adults, or LGBTQ+ clients. Consider whether you prefer a therapist who uses cognitive-behavioral techniques, acceptance-based methods, or a combination. It is reasonable to reach out with a brief message to ask about their experience with body image work and what a typical therapy plan might look like.

When you connect with a potential therapist, trust your sense of rapport. You should feel heard and respected during initial conversations. If a therapist explains their approach and you find it understandable and realistic, that is a good sign. It is also okay to try a few sessions and then change providers if the fit is not right. Therapy is most helpful when you feel comfortable enough to share honestly and to experiment with the work suggested.

Practical considerations matter as well. Check whether the clinician offers times that match your schedule, whether they provide online sessions if that is important to you, and how they handle cancellations and fees. If cultural background, gender identity, or lived experience are important to you, look for clinicians who explicitly note those areas of competency. A thoughtful match increases the likelihood that you will stay engaged and make progress.

Moving forward with therapy

If body image concerns are affecting how you feel or how you live, reaching out for help is a meaningful first step. Therapy offers tools to change unhelpful thinking patterns, to reduce behaviors that no longer serve you, and to build a kinder relationship with your body. You can use the listings above to compare clinicians, read about their approaches, and schedule an initial conversation. With gradual practice and a collaborative therapeutic relationship, many people find that they spend less time wrestling with appearance-related thoughts and more time doing things that matter to them.

Remember that change usually takes time. Be patient with yourself as you try new strategies and allow room for setbacks as part of the learning process. With the right support, you can develop ways of relating to your body that feel more manageable and more aligned with your broader life goals.