If you and I could sit down just the two of us, I would be honored to hear your story about your body image. I know it’s hard for you to look in the mirror. I know you cringe at the photos you are tagged in. I know more than anything that this is so hard for you. You hate feeling this way. Honestly, it’s downright miserable. There’s no amount of reassurance that you can get that you look fine, and I’m sure that gets old. Can I let you in on a little secret though? It’s about so much more than your body. Your body probably represents some of your beliefs about yourself and your worth. Do you know why nobody can convince you that you look ok? It’s about way more than your reflection in the mirror. I wish we could convince you that you’re ok and that your body is ok but I know there are some real reasons why you don’t feel that way.
4 Reasons for Negative Body Image
Every person has their own unique experiences with body image issues. I can imagine what you’ve been through with your body because this is what I talk about daily with my clients but your story and experience are still unique. You have different experiences when it comes to negative body image. Those experiences matter, and just because it might not be any of the reasons I have listed below doesn’t mean it’s not important or real.
People spoke negatively about your body
It’s a common experience for women to be told at some point in their lives that something is wrong with their bodies. You may have been one of those people. It could be that someone you cared about and respected had something negative to say about your body and appearance. I know those words go deep and we carry them with us. You may not have ever thought something was wrong with your body until someone pointed it out. Some people have had terrible experiences with being bullied about their bodies, and that impacted their body image issues.
2. Society has unrealistic expectations about body image
Women’s bodies have historically been sexualized and objectified by society. Society can make you believe that everything important about you comes down to your body and appearance. Our society has beauty standards that are extremely difficult for most women to fit into. The beauty and diet industry is extremely wealthy and profits from women hating their bodies. The bodies of women that you see on social media and on TV are bodies that have been edited, sculpted, and filtered into a version that is not realistic. It’s hard to have a positive body image when you have that to compare yourself to.
3. Your body has changed
Bodies change throughout time for many different reasons. Age, puberty, pregnancy, trauma, health issues, etc are all reasons women’s bodies change. It can be difficult when you notice your body changing in what feels like a negative. Weight gain can be emotionally difficult for women and their mental health. You may have noticed your mental health takes a nose dive because your body has changed. It’s difficult to not compare yourself now to what your body used to look like. Somehow it feels like the younger and thinner version of your body is somehow better and you should be striving to get back to it. That doesn’t mean that’s true.
4. You have high expectations for your body
You might believe that your body is supposed to be flawless. You might expect your body size to be something it’s not naturally made to be. You might not believe this about other people’s bodies but you believe it about yourself. It would be hard to convince you otherwise. You might be a high-achieving person and a perfectionist and it might come out in your body image.
Body Image Therapy in Utah can improve negative body image
Going to therapy to address negative body image can drastically change your life. Body image therapy isn’t to make you fall in love with your body, and it’s not designed to help you change your body. The goal of therapy for body image issues is to help you feel more neutral about your body. Actively hating your body and trying to change it will not be good for your mental health. Therapy can help you understand why you place an emphasis on your body and appearance and help you to challenge it. Those past experiences that have impacted how you feel about yourself and your body are also an area to work on in therapy. You can learn the coping skills to deal with negative body image.
Start working with a body image therapist in Utah
You don’t have to keep hating your body. You can stop spending all your emotional energy focused on changing your body. Body image therapy can help! This Utah Counseling Clinic has a body image therapist specializing in treating body image issues. To begin therapy follow the steps below:
Meet with a therapist for body image issues
Find relief
Online Therapy in Utah
You don’t have to worry about parking, commuting or even leaving your house for a therapy appointment. It’s tough to fit it into your schedule but therapy is important. This is why I offer online therapy in Utah. Online counseling is effective and convenient without you having to leave the house.
Online therapy also means I can work with clients all over the state of Utah. I work with clients in St. George, Cedar City, Provo, Heber City, Salt Lake City, Logan, and more!
Other mental health services provided by Maple Canyon Therapy
Body image therapy isn’t the only counseling service provided by this Utah Counseling Practice. Other mental health services provided by Maple Canyon Therapy include EMDR therapy, binge eating disorder treatment, eating disorder therapy, birth trauma therapy, therapy for college students, and anxiety therapy. Schedule a free phone consultation to see how I can help.
About the Author
Ashlee Hunt is a licensed clinical social worker and founder of Maple Canyon Therapy in Utah. Ashlee has a bachelor's degree in psychology and a bachelor's degree in family life and human development from Southern Utah University. She holds a master's degree in social work from Utah State University. Ashlee has been working with women who have disordered eating and body image issues since 2013. She loves helping women develop self-compassion and learn to respect their bodies for what they are.