The critical messaging about women’s bodies is everywhere. We are supposed to be fit, but not too muscular. Curvy, but only in the right places. Appear beautiful all the time, but make it seem effortless. The contradictions go on and on. These beauty ideals are not only unfair and often unhealthy, they are nearly always flat out unattainable. It is literally impossible to achieve these demands, yet many of us feel immense dissatisfaction with our bodies. We focus on how they look rather than what they allow us to do. You don’t have to feel trapped in your body. You don’t exist to be someone else’s version of beautiful. You can learn to be at peace and even find joy in the body you have.

If you are someone who feels uncomfortable in your body and have constant fear that you aren’t measuring up in the beauty department, it is likely you are holding back in various areas of life. Skipping out on social gatherings, drifting away from friends, discontinuing hobbies, settling in your career, and even ending or avoiding romantic relationships can all be connected to poor body image.

Disordered eating is all around us. It can be difficult to detect partly because it is typically presented in a positive manner. If you find yourself obsessing over food, following rigid rules around eating, punishing yourself after eating certain items, or eliminating entire food groups without a formal medical recommendation to do so, you may be dealing with disordered eating. Note: disordered eating is not the same as an eating disorder.

Eating disorders are a very serious mental health issue and are typically best treated with a multidimensional, specialized team. If it is determined that you meet the criteria for an eating disorder, you will be provided quality referrals that can achieve your needed level of care.