Body Image Therapy in Illinois & Michigan
Support for Body Image Concerns, Self-Criticism & Feeling More at Home in Yourself
Your relationship with your body affects more than your appearance.
It can shape your confidence, relationships, self-worth, daily choices, and the way you move through the world.
When body image concerns become overwhelming, it's easy to feel trapped in cycles of comparison, self-criticism, shame, or the belief that you'll finally feel okay once your body changes.
At Sohail Counseling & Care, we provide virtual body image therapy throughout Illinois and Michigan for adults and teens seeking a healthier, more compassionate relationship with themselves.
Virtual appointments available throughout Illinois & Michigan · BCBS, Aetna & UHC accepted
YOU DESERVE MORE THAN CONSTANT SELF-CRITICISM
When Body Image Starts Taking Up Too Much Space
Body image struggles aren't always obvious to others.
Sometimes they show up quietly through self-judgment, comparison, avoidance, or feeling disconnected from your own body.
You may find yourself:
Constantly comparing yourself to others
Feeling uncomfortable in your body
Avoiding photos, mirrors, or social situations
Struggling with self-confidence
Feeling preoccupied with weight or appearance
Criticizing yourself throughout the day
Feeling like your worth is tied to how you look
Experiencing shame around your body
Struggling to feel comfortable in your own skin
Believing you'll finally feel happy once your body changes
Over time, these thoughts can become so familiar that they begin to feel normal.
BUILDING A DIFFERENT RELATIONSHIP WITH YOURSELF
How Body Image Therapy Can Help
Body image therapy isn't about forcing yourself to love every part of your body.
It's about reducing the power shame, comparison, and self-criticism have over your life.
Through therapy, many clients begin to:
Reduce negative self-talk
Improve self-confidence
Develop greater self-compassion
Feel less controlled by comparison
Strengthen emotional resilience
Challenge unrealistic expectations
Improve body trust and awareness
Build healthier coping strategies
Feel more present in everyday life
Create a more balanced relationship with themselves
Healing often begins when your body stops feeling like a problem that needs to be solved.
HEALING HAPPENS IN RELATIONSHIP
Our Approach to Body Image Therapy
At Sohail Counseling & Care, we understand that body image concerns rarely develop in isolation.
Family messages, cultural expectations, social media, trauma, relationships, discrimination, perfectionism, and life experiences can all shape the way we view ourselves.
Together, we'll explore the experiences and beliefs contributing to body dissatisfaction while helping you build a more compassionate and sustainable relationship with your body.
Our therapists draw from evidence-based approaches including:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Self-Compassion Practices
Trauma-Informed Care
Narrative Therapy
Somatic Awareness
Most importantly, we believe healing happens in relationship.
Therapy offers space to challenge harmful narratives and reconnect with yourself in a way that feels supportive rather than critical.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Body Image Therapy
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Body image refers to the thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and perceptions you have about your body. A person's body image can affect confidence, self-worth, relationships, emotional wellbeing, and daily functioning. Body image concerns can exist regardless of body size, weight, age, or appearance.
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Many people notice body image concerns affecting their mood, confidence, relationships, social activities, and overall quality of life. If thoughts about your appearance consume significant mental energy, impact your self-esteem, or prevent you from fully engaging in life, therapy may be helpful.
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Yes. Therapy can help individuals better understand the beliefs, experiences, and societal messages contributing to body dissatisfaction. Many clients develop greater self-compassion, confidence, and emotional flexibility while reducing self-criticism and comparison.
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Comparison is a common human experience, but social media, cultural expectations, perfectionism, and low self-esteem can make comparison feel constant. Therapy can help you understand these patterns and develop healthier ways of relating to yourself.
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Absolutely. Body image struggles can impact intimacy, communication, vulnerability, confidence, and emotional connection. Therapy can help individuals better understand how these concerns show up in relationships and develop healthier patterns moving forward.
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No. Body image concerns affect people of all genders. Men, women, and nonbinary individuals may all experience self-criticism, appearance-related anxiety, comparison, and struggles with self-worth related to body image.
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Yes. Trauma can significantly affect the way individuals experience and relate to their bodies. Therapy can help explore these connections while supporting healing and greater self-understanding.
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No. Body image therapy focuses on improving your relationship with yourself and reducing distress related to appearance. The goal is not weight loss but helping you build a healthier, more compassionate relationship with your body.
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Research suggests that virtual therapy can be highly effective for concerns related to self-esteem, body image, anxiety, and emotional wellbeing. Many clients appreciate the comfort and accessibility of attending sessions from home.
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Yes. Sohail Counseling & Care provides virtual body image therapy throughout Illinois and Michigan for adults and teens seeking support with confidence, self-worth, self-criticism, comparison, and body image concerns.
READY WHEN YOU ARE
You Deserve a Different Relationship With Yourself
Your body is not a problem to solve.
If you're feeling stuck in cycles of comparison, shame, or self-criticism, therapy can help you create a more compassionate and sustainable way of relating to yourself.