Self-Esteem & Body Image Therapy
East Bay Therapy | Orinda, CA
Compassionate Support for When You Struggle With How You See Yourself
Helping you move beyond shame, comparison, and self-criticism into a place of acceptance, connection, and inner confidence.
Bountiful Health
In-Person Orinda, CA | Online Across California
Also serving Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Berkeley, Oakland, and other nearby communities.
Understanding Body Image &
Body Dysmorphia
When Body Image and Self-Worth Feel Like a Constant Battle
In today’s world, appearance is constantly in the spotlight. Social media, magazines, and screens bombard us with ideals of what beauty “should” look like, leaving many feeling not enough, no matter what they do.
For some, body image and self-worth struggles begin early, shaped by family messages, cultural expectations, or painful experiences of comparison and criticism. Over time, these patterns of shame, perfectionism, and self-criticism can feel impossible to escape. You may wonder: Why do I still feel this way, no matter what I try? Why can’t I just feel comfortable in my own skin?
The truth is, body image concerns are never just about appearance. They affect how you see yourself, how you connect with others, and how safe you feel in your own body. Therapy offers a place to step out of these cycles and begin building a sense of worth not defined by numbers, roles, or outside approval.
Body image concerns and eating disorders are common, especially among teens and young adults, though they impact people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. While women often face intense cultural pressure, men also experience body image struggles, particularly around muscle size, height, or other perceived flaws.
One of the more severe forms is Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), affecting about 1 in 50 people. BDD involves a preoccupation with perceived flaws that are minor or invisible to others. This can take over daily life, leading to compulsive behaviors and distress, such as:
Avoiding or obsessively checking mirrors
Preoccupation with specific body parts (nose, teeth, hair, skin, muscles)
Believing the body or face is disproportional, asymmetrical, or deformed
Spending hours comparing appearance to others
Relentless self-judgment, shame, or hopelessness, even when reassured by others
Even without meeting criteria for BDD, negative body image can still deeply impact well-being, fueling anxiety, depression, social isolation, or avoidance of everyday life.
How It Shows Up & What You Might Notice
Struggles with body image and self-worth often appear in daily life in painful, exhausting ways:
Constant criticism of what you see in the mirror
Feeling “less than” or never enough compared to others
Cycles of dieting, restricting, or over-exercising
Anxiety about choosing outfits or being seen in public
Hopelessness or depression tied to appearance
Numbness, disconnection, or shame about your body
Low self-esteem or difficulty trusting yourself in relationships
Intensified shame during life transitions like parenthood, midlife, or grief
Benefits: What You Can Expect From Body Image & Self-Worth Therapy With Us
Therapy for body image and self-worth is about creating a safe, compassionate space to explore these struggles and gently shift how you relate to yourself. Over time, therapy may help you:
Ease shame, comparison, and self-criticism
Feel more at home and connected in your body
Build self-worth that isn’t tied to numbers, roles, or appearance
Soften perfectionism and unrealistic expectations
Cultivate healthier boundaries and self-trust
Reduce anxiety, depression, and overwhelm tied to body concerns
Navigate life transitions without losing your sense of self
Experience more freedom, confidence, and self-acceptance
Healing body image struggles isn’t about quick fixes or forced positivity. It’s about building a steadier, kinder relationship with yourself; one that creates space for growth, connection, and freedom.
A Note About Bountiful Health
At Bountiful Health, we offer boutique, relational, and integrative therapy for adults and teens navigating struggles with body image, self-worth, and related challenges.
We understand how exhausting it can feel to live in cycles of comparison, shame, or constant striving. Here, therapy is not rushed or impersonal. We intentionally keep caseloads small so we can offer you the presence, responsiveness, and care that larger clinics or platforms often can’t provide.
Our office is based in Orinda, CA, and we support clients in Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Berkeley, Oakland, and throughout California via online therapy.
Our Therapeutic Approach
We draw from relational, attachment-based, psychodynamic, and trauma-informed therapy modalities to help you gently explore your story.
Body image therapy is not about fixing your body or silencing your thoughts. It’s about creating a safe space where you can explore your experiences, emotions, and identity with compassion and understanding.
Together, we’ll work to reduce shame, build trust in yourself, and nurture a deeper sense of connection and worth that extends beyond appearance.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
If you’re carrying the weight of body image and self-worth struggles, you don’t have to keep pushing through alone. Healing begins with small steps, and reaching out is the first one.
Click below or call/text 925-259-3145 to learn more or schedule your free 20-minute consultation.
Located in Orinda, CA, and serving Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Oakland, and nearby East Bay communities. Online therapy is available across California.
Let’s walk through this together.
