On Body-Image in Therapy.

The relationship we have with our bodies is often one of the most tangled and deeply personal journeys we undertake. For so many of us, it is marked by shame, criticism, and an unrelenting pressure to fit into someone else’s ideal. We wage war on ourselves, believing the stories that tell us we’re not enough, that we’re flawed. But what if we flipped that shit? What if, instead of berating our bodies, we offered them kindness, respect, and the love they deserve?

This is where therapy comes in. In therapy, we begin to unravel the toxic beliefs we’ve internalised over the years—beliefs that tell us we need to be smaller, quieter, or more perfect to be worthy. We’re given the tools to start listening to our bodies instead of punishing them. Slowly, we recognise that our body is not something to be sculpted into someone else’s idea of beauty, but a vessel that has carried us through every challenge, every joy, and every heartbreak.

Through therapy, we learn that our bodies have always been doing their best to protect us, even when we were at war with them. They’ve stood by us when we starved them, hurt them, or ignored their cries for help. And when we finally start to pay attention, we can begin to be in touch with ourselves in a more loving way. Therapy gives us the space to examine our past, confront the ways we’ve mistreated ourselves, and—most importantly—start to forgive ourselves.

This process is not easy work, it’s hard gaft. It means facing the harsh realities of how society, and even we ourselves, have viewed our bodies as objects, as things to be perfected. But through therapy, we come to see that our bodies are so much more than that. They are the reason we can experience life in all its fullness. They let us move, explore, rest, touch, and love. They allow us to feel joy and connection.

The power of therapy lies in its ability to create a space for self-compassion. It’s where we learn that our bodies are worthy of care—not because of how they look or how closely they match societal standards, but because they are ours. Therapy helps us stop silencing our bodies, stop suppressing their needs, and start embracing their wisdom. In doing so, we move from a place of shame and self-doubt to a place of pride, respect, and love.

There’s no need to wait until we’ve achieved some unattainable idea of perfection to begin. The journey toward somewhere better starts where we are right now, with all the imperfections, scars, and stories our bodies carry. In therapy, we learn that our bodies are not obstacles to be overcome—they are integral to our experience of the world. Every line, every mark tells a story of survival and resilience.

My encouragement to you today? Stop apologising for your body and start honouring it. Let’s move away from self-criticism and toward self-celebration. Therapy can be the bridge to this healing—helping us rewrite the story we tell ourselves about our bodies.

If you need some support, I’m here.