Body Image Therapy
Your relationship with your body influences far more than what you see in the mirror. It affects your confidence, relationships, mental health, movement, clothing choices, eating habits, and how fully you engage in your life.
At Creating Your Journey, we provide body image therapy for children, adolescents, and adults who struggle with body dissatisfaction, negative self-talk, body checking, comparison, shame, and appearance-related anxiety.
Many people believe they need to love their body to heal. We take a different approach. Our goal is to help you build a relationship with your body that is rooted in respect, compassion, and freedom—not constant criticism or impossible expectations.
Whether body image concerns exist on their own or alongside an eating disorder, trauma, anxiety, OCD, infertility, pregnancy, or major life transitions, our therapists provide a supportive space to help you reconnect with yourself.
When Body Image Becomes More Than insecurity
Nearly everyone experiences moments of self-consciousness, but persistent body dissatisfaction can begin to impact every area of life.
You may benefit from body image therapy if you:
-
Frequently criticize your appearance
-
Avoid mirrors or spend excessive time checking them
-
Compare your body to others throughout the day
-
Avoid social events because of how you look
-
Feel your worth depends on your weight or appearance
-
Constantly think about changing your body
-
Experience anxiety when shopping for clothes
-
Avoid photographs or being seen by others
-
Feel uncomfortable eating in front of people
-
Believe you'll be happier once your body changes
Body image struggles are not about vanity. They are often connected to deeper emotional experiences, societal pressures, perfectionism, trauma, or difficult life events.
Common Concerns We Treat
Our therapists work with clients experiencing:
-
Negative body image
-
Body dissatisfaction
-
Poor self-esteem
-
Body checking and body avoidance
-
Weight and shape concerns
-
Body image related to eating disorders
-
Pregnancy and postpartum body changes
-
Infertility-related body grief
-
Medical conditions affecting body image
-
Body image after trauma
-
Aging and life transitions
-
Appearance-related anxiety
-
We provide affirming, compassionate care that recognizes every person's experience with their body is unique.
Our Approach to Body Image Healing
There is no quick fix for body image. Healing involves understanding the experiences, beliefs, and protective patterns that shaped how you view yourself.
Our therapists use evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches including:
-
Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed therapy
-
Somatic Therapy
-
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
-
Art Therapy
-
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
-
Self-compassion practices
-
Mindfulness
-
Values-based living
-
Emotion regulation skills
Rather than teaching clients to simply "love their body," we help them reduce shame, increase self-compassion, and develop a healthier relationship with themselves that extends far beyond appearance.
A Weight-Inclusive, Nonjudgmental Philosophy
Creating Your Journey practices from a weight-inclusive and trauma-informed perspective.
We believe:
-
Bodies naturally come in different shapes and sizes.
-
Your worth is never determined by your weight or appearance.
-
Body image is influenced by life experiences, culture, trauma, and relationships.
-
Recovery is about creating freedom—not chasing perfection.
-
Healing is possible without achieving an "ideal" body.
Our goal is to help you spend less time consumed by body criticism and more time engaged in the life you want to live.
Body Image Across the Lifespan
Body image concerns can arise at any age and often shift throughout life.
We support clients navigating:
-
Adolescence and puberty
-
College transitions
-
Pregnancy and postpartum changes
-
Infertility and reproductive health challenges
-
Menopause
-
Chronic illness or disability
-
Aging
-
Athletic identity
-
Recovery after eating disorders
No matter where you are in your journey, therapy can help you reconnect with your body with greater understanding and compassion.
Why Choose Creating Your Journey?
Body image is one of the core specialties of our practice. Because body dissatisfaction is often intertwined with eating disorders, trauma, anxiety, and life transitions, our therapists look beyond appearance to understand the whole person.
Our founder, Salicia Mazero, MA, LPC, ATR, CEDS-C, SEP, has dedicated her career to helping individuals heal their relationship with food, body, and self. As a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and Consultant (CEDS-C), she provides supervision and consultation within the practice to ensure our clinicians offer compassionate, evidence-based care. Our team is experienced in helping clients move beyond body shame and toward greater self-acceptance and emotional well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have an eating disorder to benefit from body image therapy?
No. Many people struggle with body dissatisfaction without meeting the criteria for an eating disorder. Therapy can help anyone whose relationship with their body is affecting their quality of life.
Can body image therapy help if I've struggled for years?
Absolutely. Body image concerns often develop over many years, but change is possible at any stage of life.
Do you work with children and teenagers?
Yes. We provide body image therapy for children, adolescents, teens, and adults and involve parents or caregivers when appropriate.
Do you offer virtual sessions?
Yes. We offer in-person therapy in the St. Louis area and telehealth appointments for clients throughout Missouri and Pennsylvania (where licensed).
Begin Your Body Image Healing Journey
Imagine spending less time worrying about your appearance and more time living your life.
Healing doesn't require loving your body every moment of every day. It begins with treating yourself with greater compassion, understanding, and respect.
If you're ready to break free from body shame and build a healthier relationship with yourself, we're here to help.
Schedule a consultation today to learn how Creating Your Journey can support your body image healing.