Body Image and Body Dysmorphia Therapy
in the Sutherland Shire

When worries about appearance become persistent or distressing, they can begin to affect a person's sense of self-worth, relationships and daily life. For some this involves constant comparison with others. For others it becomes a preoccupation with a specific perceived flaw that feels difficult to shift. Treatment can help make sense of these patterns and ease the distress they cause.

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At Evolving Minds Counselling and Psychology in Menai, our psychologists and counsellors provide body image and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) treatment in Menai and across the Sutherland Shire for adolescents and adults. Sessions are available in person at our Menai practice and through secure online appointments across Australia.

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What is body dysmorphic disorder?

 

Body image is how a person thinks and feels about their appearance. Body image difficulties arise when these thoughts become persistently negative or self-critical, to the point where they affect confidence, relationships and how a person engages with the world. These patterns can develop gradually and are often shaped by past experiences, relationships, perfectionism and comparison with others.

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Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) sits at the more severe end of this spectrum. It is a persistent preoccupation with one or more perceived flaws in appearance that are often not noticeable to others. These thoughts feel difficult to shift and are usually accompanied by repetitive behaviours such as checking, seeking reassurance or avoiding situations that trigger distress.

 

BDD can have a significant impact on relationships, work and social life.  It often occurs alongside obsessive-compulsive patterns, depression or social anxiety and treatment usually takes these into account.

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Body image difficulties and BDD: what is the difference?

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Body image difficulties and BDD exist on the same spectrum and can show up in similar ways. The difference is usually one of intensity and impact. With body image difficulties, appearance concerns are distressing but a person can often still move through daily life. With BDD, the preoccupation is more fixed and harder to interrupt, and it can take up significant time each day. Understanding where a person sits on this spectrum helps shape the right approach to treatment.

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Signs of body image difficulties and BDD

 

Common signs include:

• ongoing comparison with others

• persistent dissatisfaction with appearance

• frequent checking or seeking reassurance

• avoiding mirrors, photographs or social situations

• persistent self-criticism about how they look

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With BDD these patterns are usually more intense and harder to interrupt, and the preoccupation with a perceived flaw can dominate large parts of the day.

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How can treatment help with body image and BDD?

 

Treatment for body image and BDD focuses on understanding the thoughts, feelings and behaviours connected to appearance, and easing the distress they cause. It can help reduce self-criticism, work with checking or avoidance patterns, and build a more flexible, comfortable relationship with the body.

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Rather than focusing on appearance itself, treatment works with the patterns that keep the distress going, such as checking, comparison, reassurance seeking and avoidance. Early sessions usually focus on understanding each person's experience and how their concerns affect daily life. From there, treatment works gradually with the thoughts and behaviours that maintain distress, at a pace that feels manageable.

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Our clinicians draw on a range of evidence-based therapy approaches, including cognitive behavioural therapy for BDD, exposure and response prevention and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Where appearance concerns are linked to past experiences EMDR may also be helpful.

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Our team is trained in eating disorders and includes an ANZAED credentialed clinician. This work sits within our broader eating disorder counselling, and where appearance concerns overlap with disordered eating we can support both together.

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When to seek treatment

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It can be hard to know when appearance concerns warrant support. It may be worth speaking with someone when worries about appearance take up significant time, affect mood, relationships, work or study, or lead to repeated checking, avoidance or reassurance seeking. Reaching out early can make these patterns easier to work with, and support is helpful at any stage.

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Body dysmorphia treatment in the Sutherland Shire

 

Our psychologists and counsellors provide evidence-based body image and body dysmorphia therapy in Menai and across the Sutherland Shire, including Miranda, Caringbah, Engadine, and surrounding suburbs. 

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​Appointments are available in person at our Menai practice in the Sutherland Shire, or through secure online sessions across Australia.

 

If you’re unsure where to begin, our Client Care Team can assist. Call 02 8519 4197 or use the button below to request an appointment.