How Therapy Can Help You Overcome Body Issues

A negative body image can lower your quality of life and increase your risk for depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. Without treatment, negative perceptions about your body can take over your life and leave you feeling out of control.

At Greenpoint Psychotherapy, we specialize in body image therapy, so you can find peace with your body and rebuild your self-esteem. 

Our highly skilled team takes an empathetic approach to helping you recognize negative thought patterns and make necessary changes that support your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Consequences of a negative body image

When you hold a negative image of your body, your mind focuses only on the flaws it perceives — whether they are real or imagined. Negative perceptions can stem from previous personal experiences and from external influences like social media, family members, and peers.

When left unmanaged, a negative body image can lead to serious complications, including:

Eating disorders

Eating disorders like anorexia can cause you to restrict food or stop eating in order to lose weight. You can also develop bulimia, a condition where you binge-eat food and then induce vomiting to prevent weight gain.

Eating disorders can become serious and may even prove fatal in some cases.

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)

BDD describes a preoccupation with perceived flaws in your physical appearance. You may obsess about how you look physically overall or become hyper focused on certain areas of your body.

Obsessions can ultimately trigger stress and anxiety. You may also engage in compulsive activities like looking in the mirror or undergoing cosmetic surgeries.

The fallout of a negative body image can be difficult to manage on your own. However, with body image therapy, you can learn how to adjust your mindset and perceptions of self to live a fuller, happier life.

Goals of body image therapy

Body image therapy uses different psychological techniques to help you identify negative body image issues and their triggers.

Our skilled providers may recommend therapeutic strategies like:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Gestalt therapy
• Psychodynamic psychotherapy
• Internal family systems (IFS) therapy

Our team works closely with you to explore the challenges you face with a negative body image. We can also address underlying mental health issues that contribute to or result from body image issues.

Tips for adopting a positive body image

In addition to the tools you learn in your personalized therapy sessions, there are ways you can improve the perceptions you have about your body, so you can adopt a more positive body image.

Here are a few tips to boost your self-image and self-esteem:

• Use positive, affirming words about your features and body
• Surround yourself with people who practice body positivity
• Limit time spent on social media
• Pamper yourself with a massage or other self-care activity
• Recognize the many amazing things your body can do

If you spend a lot of time focused on your perceived body flaws, consider doing something positive to distract your mind from overthinking. You could volunteer your time helping others or engage in a hobby that helps you feel personally fulfilled.

Call Greenpoint Psychotherapy in Brooklyn, New York to schedule a body image therapy consultation or book an appointment online today.