Negative body image affects people of all ages, genders, and body sizes — and can significantly impair self-esteem, relationships, and quality of life. With the right psychological support, it is possible to build a more accepting and functional relationship with your body.
Our registered psychologists in Melbourne provide evidence-based body image treatment across four clinic locations and via Telehealth.
WorkCover, NDIS or TAC approved? YOU PAY NOTHING.
If your claim has been approved, we bill your funder directly. Zero out-of-pocket cost — no gap, no upfront payment, nothing.
Body image refers to the thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and behaviours a person has in relation to their own body. Negative body image — also called body image disturbance — involves persistent dissatisfaction, distorted perception, or preoccupation with perceived appearance flaws (Cash & Smolak, 2011).
Body image difficulties can range from common body dissatisfaction through to Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), a clinically significant condition involving intense preoccupation with a perceived defect that others do not notice or see as minor (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).
Body image may be worth addressing when you notice:
Body dissatisfaction affects the majority of Australian women and a significant proportion of men, and is strongly associated with reduced wellbeing, disordered eating, and depression (Griffiths et al., 2017).
Negative body image is maintained by a cycle of self-focused attention, avoidance, body checking, and negative cognitive appraisals. Social comparison and internalisation of media appearance ideals contribute to its onset and maintenance (Thompson & Stice, 2001).
Effective treatment targets:
CBT for body image produces significant improvements in body satisfaction and associated psychosocial functioning (Cash & Smolak, 2011).
Our psychologists use the most effective evidence-based approaches:
The leading evidence-based approach for body image disturbance (Cash, 2008). CBT-BI targets the distorted thoughts, unhelpful beliefs, and avoidance behaviours that maintain body dissatisfaction. Includes cognitive restructuring, behavioural experiments, and mirror exposure to reduce avoidance.
Helps clients develop psychological flexibility — making room for difficult feelings about their body without those feelings controlling their behaviour. ACT builds body-neutral engagement with valued activities rather than pursuing an elusive ‘body ideal’ (Pearson et al., 2012).
For body image difficulties rooted in early experiences of shame, criticism, or abuse, Schema Therapy addresses the deep-seated beliefs about the body and self-worth formed in childhood. Particularly useful for chronic, entrenched body image problems.
BDD requires specialised CBT targeting the compulsive checking and reassurance-seeking that maintain preoccupation. Treatment involves response prevention, exposure to avoided situations, and restructuring of appearance-related beliefs (Wilhelm et al., 2013).
Treatment is tailored to your specific presentation — from common body dissatisfaction to clinically significant BDD.
Your first appointment is a thorough assessment of your body image concerns, their history, and the impact on your daily life.
We work without judgement. All bodies are treated with respect. Our goal is not to change your body — it is to change your relationship with it.
Treatment duration varies by complexity. Mild to moderate body dissatisfaction often responds well within 10–16 sessions; BDD typically requires longer-term work.
We offer appointments in-clinic at our Mooroolbark, Wheelers Hill, Reservoir, and Melbourne CBD locations, as well as Telehealth sessions from anywhere in Australia.
WorkCover, NDIS or TAC approved? YOU PAY NOTHING.
If your claim has been approved, we bill your funder directly. Zero out-of-pocket cost — no gap, no upfront payment, nothing.
Do I need a referral to see a body image psychologist?
No referral is required for a private appointment. A Mental Health Care Plan from your GP allows access to Medicare rebates. For BDD, a GP referral is recommended.
Is body image treatment different from eating disorder treatment?
There is significant overlap, but body image concerns can exist independently of disordered eating. Your psychologist will assess your full presentation and tailor treatment accordingly.
I’m not sure if my concerns are ‘bad enough’ to seek help.
If your feelings about your body are causing significant distress or affecting your life — your relationships, social engagement, work, or mental health — they are worth addressing.
Does treatment involve being told to love your body?
No. Effective treatment focuses on reducing the influence body image has on your behaviour and wellbeing — not forcing positive feelings. Body neutrality — relating to your body without strong positive or negative feelings — is a realistic and valuable goal.
You deserve to live fully — not held back by how you feel about your body. Our team can help.
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American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). APA. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787
Cash, T. F. (2008). The body image workbook: An eight-step program for learning to like your looks (2nd ed.). New Harbinger Publications.
Cash, T. F., & Smolak, L. (Eds.). (2011). Body image: A handbook of science, practice, and prevention (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.
Griffiths, S., Hay, P., Mitchison, D., Mond, J. M., McLean, S. A., Rodgers, B., Massey, R., & Paxton, S. J. (2017). Sex differences in the relationships between body dissatisfaction, quality of life and psychological distress. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 40(6), 518–522. https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12538
Pearson, A. N., Follette, V. M., & Hayes, S. C. (2012). A pilot study of acceptance and commitment therapy as a workshop intervention for body dissatisfaction and disordered eating attitudes. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 19(1), 181–197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2011.03.001
Thompson, J. K., & Stice, E. (2001). Thin-ideal internalization: Mounting evidence for a new risk factor for body-image disturbance and eating pathology. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 10(5), 181–183. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8721.00144
Wilhelm, S., Phillips, K. A., Didie, E., Buhlmann, U., Greenberg, J. L., Fama, J. M., Keshaviah, A., & Steketee, G. (2013). Modular cognitive-behavioral therapy for body dysmorphic disorder. Behavior Therapy, 45(3), 314–327. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2013.12.007
