Body Image Therapy
Treatment for Body Image Concerns and Body Dissatisfaction
Body image difficulties can affect people at many stages of life and can influence self esteem, relationships, mood, eating, exercise, sexuality, and overall well being. For some individuals, concerns about weight, shape, or appearance become a persistent source of self criticism or anxiety. Others may find that dissatisfaction with their bodies affects how they participate in relationships, social situations, work, exercise, or everyday life.
Dr. Hill specializes in helping adolescents ages 16 and older and adults develop a more flexible, accepting, and less critical relationship with their bodies. Treatment is available in person in Annapolis, Maryland, and through telehealth for individuals located in PSYPACT participating states and jurisdictions.
Experience in Body Image Treatment
Body image has been a focus of Dr. Hill's academic and clinical work for many years. While completing her doctoral training at Stanford University, her dissertation research examined body image dissatisfaction among adolescent and preadolescent girls.
Since 2009, she has worked extensively with adolescents and adults experiencing body image concerns, eating disorders, and disordered eating.
When Body Image Becomes a Problem
It is common to have occasional negative thoughts about appearance. Body image difficulties become more concerning when these thoughts occupy significant mental and emotional space, cause distress, or begin to affect how a person lives.
Dr. Hill works with individuals experiencing concerns such as:
Persistent dissatisfaction with weight, shape, or appearance
Frequent comparison with other people
Difficulty feeling comfortable or present in one's body
Avoidance of photographs, mirrors, clothing, social situations, or intimacy
Body checking or reassurance seeking
Self worth that is strongly influenced by appearance
Anxiety about weight, appearance, or changes in the body
Difficulty adjusting to body changes across different stages of life
Perfectionism and harsh self criticism related to appearance
The impact of social media, cultural messages, and appearance ideals
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
Body image concerns associated with eating disorders or disordered eating
An individual does not need to have an eating disorder to benefit from treatment aimed at improving body image. For many people, body dissatisfaction is a significant concern in its own right. Dr. Hill also works with individuals with body dysmorphic disorder and other appearance related concerns.
A Broader Approach to Body Image
Improving body image does not necessarily mean learning to love every aspect of one's appearance. A more realistic goal is often developing a relationship with the body that is less critical, consuming, and restrictive.
Dr. Hill helps individuals understand the factors that have shaped their relationship with their bodies and what continues to reinforce negative body image. Treatment may involve examining patterns of comparison, avoidance, checking, perfectionism, and self criticism while developing more adaptive ways of responding to uncomfortable thoughts and feelings about appearance.
The work may also explore how relationships, identity, life transitions, aging, cultural messages, and past experiences influence the way an individual experiences and evaluates their body.
Treatment Approach
Dr. Hill takes an integrative and individualized approach to treatment, drawing from evidence based psychological treatments while recognizing each person's unique history and circumstances.
Treatment is aimed at reducing the extent to which appearance determines self worth or restricts daily life, developing more adaptive responses to negative body image thoughts and feelings, and helping individuals participate more fully in relationships, activities, and other areas of life that matter to them.
Body Image and Eating Concerns
Body image difficulties and problems with eating frequently overlap. Dissatisfaction with weight or shape can contribute to restriction, chronic dieting, binge eating, rigid food rules, compulsive exercise, and other problematic behaviors.
When eating concerns are also present, Dr. Hill addresses them as part of the broader clinical picture when appropriate.
Learn more about Eating Disorder Treatment.
Body Image Treatment in Annapolis and Online
Dr. Hill provides in person treatment in Annapolis, Maryland, and telehealth to individuals located in PSYPACT participating states and jurisdictions. She works with adolescents ages 16 and older and adults across the lifespan.
Learn more about Online Therapy and Telehealth.
Getting Started
An initial consultation provides an opportunity to discuss what an individual has been experiencing, how body image is affecting daily life, and whether working with Dr. Hill makes sense.
Dr. Hill offers a complimentary 15 minute consultation to prospective patients.