Body image includes the way you picture your body, the beliefs you hold about it, and the feelings those thoughts create. At Intuitive Counseling, PLLC, we help adolescents and adults work through negative body image and create a more balanced, accepting perspective. We meet with clients at our northern Chicago suburban office and through secure telehealth sessions anywhere in Illinois. To get started, call our Chicago office at (847) 607-1520.
Understanding Body Image
Many people, regardless of age or background, struggle with how they see their bodies. Research from the National Eating Disorders Association notes that body dissatisfaction is widespread among women and also affects a large portion of men. These concerns can surface surprisingly early, sometimes in childhood, and may grow stronger over time if left unaddressed.
How Negative Body Image Develops
Concerns about body image often form through a combination of life experiences, cultural pressures, and individual traits. Messages about appearance can come from family, friends, media, and society at large. For some, personality style or genetics may heighten sensitivity to perceived flaws.
Hurtful experiences, like teasing, bullying, or repeated negative comments from trusted figures, can leave a lasting mark. Over the years, these moments may cause a person’s self-worth to become closely tied to physical appearance.
Effects on Mental and Physical Health
Ongoing dissatisfaction with body image can contribute to depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. It may also push people toward unhealthy behaviors such as over-exercising, strict dieting, or pursuing cosmetic procedures for the wrong reasons. While these actions might bring temporary relief, they often make the underlying dissatisfaction worse.
Studies have also linked poor body image to stepping back from social events, career opportunities, and even hobbies. Avoiding situations out of self-consciousness can slowly narrow a person’s quality of life.
The Link Between Body Image and Eating Disorders
Not everyone who struggles with body image develops an eating disorder, yet distorted body perception is a common feature in conditions like anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. Research published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders has found that body dissatisfaction can be one of the strongest predictors for disordered eating patterns.
At Intuitive Counseling, we address body image whether or not an eating disorder is present. If both concerns exist, we treat them together by working on thought patterns, emotions, and practical steps for creating a healthier relationship with food and the body.
Our Approach to Body Image Therapy
When therapy begins, we take time to understand your experiences, current challenges, and goals. We work with clients to spot harmful thought patterns, question unrealistic beauty standards, and explore healthier ways to relate to their bodies. Sessions might involve cognitive restructuring, mindfulness, or body neutrality practices, which focus on valuing the body for what it can do rather than its appearance.
For younger clients, parents or guardians may be part of the process. We help families recognize how to support progress and avoid reinforcing negative messages.
When needed, we collaborate with dietitians, healthcare providers, or other specialists to ensure that care supports the whole person.
Why Clients Work With Us
People choose Intuitive Counseling because of our clinical expertise and the inclusive, supportive space we provide. Treatment adapts to your pace and comfort level instead of forcing you into a rigid plan. Many clients notice that improvements in body image lead to greater confidence, stronger relationships, and more willingness to take part in activities they once avoided.
Our Chicago office is convenient for those in the northern suburbs, and telehealth sessions allow us to work with clients throughout Illinois.
Frequently Asked Questions
Call our Chicago office at (847) 607-1520 to schedule your first appointment. We will talk about your concerns, goals, and what therapy might look like for you.
Yes. We see adolescents and often involve parents or guardians when their participation supports progress.
Our work is not centered on weight loss. Instead, we help clients shift the way they think and feel about their bodies. This change often reduces distress regardless of any physical changes.
Yes. We work with clients who have eating disorders as well as those whose concerns are not related to eating behaviors. When both are present, treatment addresses them together.
We see clients from Evanston, Skokie, Wilmette, Glenview, and Northbrook, as well as Chicago neighborhoods such as Rogers Park, Edgewater, and Andersonville. Our office is close to the CTA Purple and Red Lines and the Metra Union Pacific North line. Drivers often use I-94, U.S. Route 41, or nearby local roads.
Change How You See Yourself
Negative body image does not have to define your daily life. With the right support, you can develop a healthier, more accepting view of yourself. Call our Chicago office at (847) 607-1520 to arrange your first session.