Body Image Issues
Everyone has a body image, which is essentially defined as what we think we look like. A person's body image is created through a combination of their personal life experiences and external influencers, like culture and society. It is not at all uncommon to feel dissatisfied with your appearance occasionally. However, some body images issues, like body dysmorphic disorder, are more serious and can interfere with your daily life. Developing a positive body image can significantly improve your happiness. If you are experiencing excessive concern about a perceived physical defect, you may benefit from counseling. A mental health professional can be helpful in dealing with normal, negative body image feelings as well as specific body disorders.
Local experts in Body Image Issues
Abby Ernst (she/her)
Licensed Professional Counselor
LPC, LMHC, MA in Counseling and Eating Disorder Certification
Body image is something that many people struggle with at some point in their life. And how could you not when we live in a world so focused on dieting and getting smaller. I have specific training regarding working with body image and moving away from body shame.
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Kasey Serdar (She/Her)
Clinical Psychologist
Ph.D.
I have always been interested in helping individuals develop a more compassionate and healthy relationship with their bodies. My interest and experience with these concerns arose in large part from working extensively with individuals struggling with eating disorders. I have found in the years of doing this work that many individuals with whom I work struggle with body image to a such an extent that it impacts their day to day lives.
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Monica Marquard (she/her)
Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
MA, Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
Having worked in eating disorder clinics since 2017, I have extensive knowledge of working with eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image distress. I take a Health at Every Size (HAES) approach to my work.
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Caitlin Keitel (she/her)
Professional Counselor
M.A. Process Oriented Facilitation
I know we can liberate ourselves and each other from the fear-based, body-shaming beliefs and behaviors we have learned. We can learn new ways of thinking about and living in our bodies. I work to encourage us all to bring our most loving relationship values into partnership with our bodies.
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Kaia Stamiris (They/She)
Licensed Professional Counselor
MA, LPC
I have done professional training and study in this area and am Health at Every-Size informed, and aware of the presence of toxic cultural influences around dieting and fatphobia. I am accepting of clients as they are and believe that the work of unplugging from biased sources and de-programming cultural myths around our bodies is both valuable and necessary.
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Jessica Feinsmith MA LPC (She/her/hers)
Licensed Professional Counselor
LPC
Growing up in “diet-Culture” can leave us feeling less than loving towards our bodies. I understand. Whether it is disordered eating behaviors, body dysmorphia or shame about yourself, I can offer support. Utilizing therapeutic interventions, increased mind and body awareness and self compassion, we can become allies of our bodies and selves and heal the hatred and shame of being imperfect.
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Amber Liechty (she/her)
Licensed Professional Counselor
LPC
I have extensive training in body image and eating disorders, with primary experience in disorders of over control - namely anorexia and body dysmorphia.
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Dasia Star (she/they)
Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy
Is your kiddo struggling with feelings of insecurity about their body? Are you a pissed off femme, wondering why all of the years of unpacking/unlearning patriarchy still have not left you feeling secure in your body? Are you NB/GNC and needing a space to process what it is like to simply live in your body? I never want you to feel shamed of your body again. I want to support you in finding peace, safety, and ease in your body. I genuinely believe that is everyone's birthright.
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Emily Walker (they/them)
Licensed Professional Counselor
MA, LPC
Body Image Issues can come in a variety of forms, whether it be rooted in disordered eating, gender dysphoria, trauma, chronic illness, or self-esteem. I am comfortable and passionate about helping my clients repair their relationship with their body. I worked in a residential facility for eating disorders and have experience supporting recovery from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and ARFID.
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Katie Kotsovos (she/her)
Licensed Professional Counselor
LPC
I'm deeply committed to a Health At Every Size framework at my practice. Our body image work may include challenging toxic patriarchal norms, exploring the impact of living under them and unburdening they legacy of shame you've been handed. Your body is deserving of love, dignity and respect.
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Sonia Holdaway (she/her)
Licensed Professional Counselor
MS
If you have a difficult relationship with your body, food, exercise, or all of the above, you are not alone. I love to help clients reconnect with an inner sense of health & balance in an affirming, body-positive space. I will support you in challenging external messages about how you should be, and help you connect instead with your needs, your values, and your intuitive healthy self. Visit my website for more info: https://www.relationshipcounselingportland.com/
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Catherine Gobel (she/her)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LCSW
I work from a Health at Every Size Lens to help you accept your body where it is at.
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Veronica Wilson (she/her)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LCSW, MSW
Whether you're struggling with body dysmorphia, weight gain/loss, or depression-related to body issues, I can help you reach healthy, sustainable gols with self-compassion at the core of the work we will do together.
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Jillian Brown (She/Her)
Licensed Professional Counselor
LPC
I have worked with hundreds of people in support of finding love and appreciation for themselves. There are so many deeply ingrained messages around how we should or shouldn't look/act/be. I work with shifting those beliefs on a deep subconscious level so that it becomes easy to make healthy choices and you can have the confidence that you know how to take good care of yourself with ease.
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Mariah Beltran (she/her)
Clinical Psychologist Resident
Resident213
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.
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Lindsay Day (she/her)
Licensed Professional Counselor
MS, LPC
I recognize the prevalence of diet culture that permeates through consumed media. I aim to combat the messages that we all receive about our bodies and the "beauty standards" and facilitate a better relationship with one's body and with food.
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Ashley Parkinson (she/her/hers)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LCSW, CADC-I
I work with body image issues from a body positive, HAES (Health at Every Size) perspective, and from my own lived experience as someone who has learned to see beyond diet and fat-hating culture to a place of body acceptance and respect. I support my clients wherever they are in their relationships with their bodies through the principles of Intuitive Eating and Be Nourished's "Body Trust" model. I employ Motivational Interviewing to help people identify personal values and goals toward change.
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Laura La Rosa (She/Her)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
MA, MSW, LCSW
We are not our thoughts and we don't have to believe them. Body image struggles are likely attached to unskillful and habitual thinking. We can work together to dis-empower the habitual thoughts that hold you hostage. We can craft accurate thoughts that support your self esteem. Lets work collaboratively to improve your relationship to your body, mind and emotions.
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Neil Panchmatia (he/they)
Licensed Professional Counselor
MS, NCC, Licensed Professional Counselor
Too often we are told we are not good enough and we need to change how we look, sound, move etc. Entire businesses run on making us feel less than. In such a cultural environment, being ourselves fully and unapologetically is the best revolution we can engage in. I work with clients using tenets of HAES and Intuitive Eating to create tailored programs of radical self love and body diversity.
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