Your Relationship With Your Body
Body Image Therapy in Chicago and Western Suburbs
Whether your concerns are mild or significantly impacting your daily life, therapy can help you shift how you relate to your body and develop a more compassionate and stable sense of self.
Overview
What Are Body Image Issues?
Negative body image often develops through a combination of:
- Cultural and societal beauty standards
- Social media comparison and exposure
- Childhood teasing, bullying, or criticism
- Trauma or negative relational experiences
- Family attitudes about weight, appearance, or food
- Perfectionism or high self-criticism
- Anxiety or depression
- Eating or dieting history
- Identity and self-worth concerns
Body image is not just about appearance – it is deeply connected to how you feel about yourself as a person.
Body image refers to the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs you hold about your physical appearance. Body image concerns can exist independently or alongside anxiety, depression, eating disorders, or low self-esteem.
At Grace Integrated, we provide compassionate, evidence-based therapy for body image concerns for adolescents and adults throughout Chicago and the western suburbs. We understand that body image is shaped by many factors—including life experiences, trauma, culture, social media, and internalized beliefs – and that it can be healed with the right support.
Is this the right time?
Signs You May Benefit From Body Image Therapy
Body image concerns can show up in both obvious and subtle ways.
You may benefit from therapy if you:
Treatment Options
Understanding Body Image Concerns
Body image issues can vary widely in intensity and expression.
How Affect Your Life
How Body Image Issues Can Affect Your Life
Body image concerns often extend beyond appearance and affect multiple areas of life.
How We Help
Body Image Therapy Approaches We May Use
Therapy focuses on shifting internal beliefs, reducing comparison, and building self-acceptance.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Self-Compassion Work
Body Neutrality and Body Acceptance Approaches
Mindfulness and Distress Tolerance Skills
Social Media and Comparison Work
Trusted Excellence
Why Choose Grace Integrated?
Clients choose Grace Integrated because we provide:
Serving Chicago and the Western Suburbs
Grace Integrated provides body image therapy throughout Chicago, including the Loop and West Town offices, as well as Elmhurst, Oak Brook, Lombard, Riverside, Westmont, and surrounding communities. We also offer secure telehealth therapy across Illinois.
questions & answered
Frequently Asked Questions
Can body image improve with therapy?
Yes. Many people experience significant improvements in how they think and feel about their bodies through therapy.
Is body image therapy only for people with eating disorders?
No. Body image concerns can exist independently of eating disorders and are still valid for treatment.
Why do I struggle with body image even when others reassure me?
Body image is influenced by internal beliefs, not just external feedback or reassurance.
Can social media affect body image?
Yes. Social comparison on social media is a common contributor to body dissatisfaction.
How long does it take to improve body image?
It varies, but many clients notice gradual shifts as they challenge thought patterns and build self-compassion.
CONTACTS
You Don’t Have to Stay Stuck in Self-Criticism
At Grace Integrated, we are here to help you move from self-judgment toward acceptance, confidence, and ease in your own skin.