Body dysmorphia, or body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), is a mental health condition where individuals obsessively focus on perceived flaws in their appearance, often seeing minor or imagined imperfections as major. Clients with BDD often seek therapy to reduce the distress and anxiety tied to their appearance concerns, needing support in shifting their negative body image and underlying thoughts. Body dysmorphia can often lead to diagnoses such as Eating Disorders, which can create physical as well as emotional harm to a client, and in some cases, death. Social systems like patriarchy and misogyny have contributed to BDD by promoting unrealistic beauty standards for men and women, fostering harmful self-criticism, and reinforcing body ideals that lead to feelings of inadequacy; treatment must therefore also consider the societal pressures that exacerbate these symptoms.
Services Offered
Body & Somatic Concerns
Our bodies carry our stories, and sometimes that weight can show up as pain, illness, or struggles with self-image. At Willamette Wellness Center, we support clients facing body dysmorphia, navigating eating disorders, or living with chronic or terminal pain and illness. Our therapists combine evidence-based approaches with compassionate, trauma-informed care to help you reconnect with your body, reduce shame, and find healthier ways to cope. We believe everybody deserves respect and support, and we are here to walk alongside you in your healing journey.
In mental health, the diagnosis of an eating disorder refers to a complex psychological condition where individuals experience unhealthy attitudes and behaviors around food, body image, and self-worth. Clients with eating disorders often seek therapy to address underlying emotional issues, improve their relationship with food, and restore a healthy sense of self. Symptoms often include restrictive eating, binging, purging, obsessive thoughts about weight, and body dysmorphia, making it crucial to find a therapist who provides psychoeducation, empathy, and a non-judgmental space to help clients achieve long-term recovery and self-empowerment.
Chronic and terminal pain or illness in mental health terms refers to the emotional, psychological, and physical toll of living with long-term, chronic, and/or life-ending conditions. Clients facing these challenges often seek therapy for coping mechanisms, emotional support, and tools to manage anxiety, depression, grief, anger, fear, and other feelings related to their condition. Finding a therapist who understands these terms, offers psychoeducation, and provides empathy is crucial in helping clients navigate their journey and achieve their therapeutic goals in relation to diagnoses that most likely are coming as a shock to themselves and their loved ones.
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