Mental Health Month

Each October, Mental Health Month provides an opportunity to reflect on the many dimensions of mental wellbeing. This year, one particularly powerful theme worth exploring is body image — not just as a concern about how we look, but as a mirror into our sense of self, our worth, and how we feel we belong in the world. For many people, body image goes far beyond physical appearance. It is intricately connected to psychological experiences, societal pressures, and deep-rooted beliefs about identity and acceptance.

In this blog, we’ll unpack the psychological roots of body dissatisfaction, explore how therapy can support healing, and emphasise the importance of cultivating a more compassionate relationship with ourselves.

What Is Body Image?

Body image refers to how we see, think, and feel about our physical bodies. It encompasses our beliefs about body shape, size, weight, and appearance — as well as the emotional responses these beliefs provoke. A person’s body image can be positive, negative, or fluctuate depending on context, mood, or life stage.

While it might seem body image is about aesthetics or appearance, it is, in fact, a deeply psychological construct. It is shaped by early experiences, cultural messages, media influence, family dynamics, peer comparisons, and personal traumas. Importantly, body image is less about how we actually look and more about how we feel about how we look.

The Psychological Roots of Body Dissatisfaction

Body dissatisfaction — a negative evaluation of one’s body — is widespread and can begin in childhood or adolescence. For many people, it becomes a chronic source of distress. But why is this dissatisfaction so common?

1. Cultural and Societal Pressures

We live in a culture that often promotes narrow and unrealistic standards of beauty. Whether it’s the idealised thinness portrayed in advertising or the filtered, curated images on social media, we are constantly exposed to ideals that most people do not — and cannot — realistically attain. These images shape our internal standards and can create feelings of inadequacy and shame when we feel we don’t measure up.

This is especially harmful when physical appearance becomes tied to concepts of success, desirability, and worth. When society equates thinness with discipline or beauty with social value, it’s no surprise that people feel immense pressure to conform.

2. Early Experiences and Messages

Our early experiences often lay the foundation for how we see our bodies. Critical comments from caregivers, teasing from peers, or even well-meaning remarks about eating or appearance can leave lasting impressions. A child who hears repeated comments about needing to “watch their weight” may internalise the belief that their body is a problem — or even that their worth is conditional upon how they look.

These beliefs can become ingrained over time, turning into core narratives like “I am not good enough”, “I’ll only be loved if I’m thin”, or “My body is unacceptable.”

3. Identity and Control

For many, body image becomes wrapped up in identity. Especially during adolescence, when young people are forming their sense of self, appearance can become a way of asserting identity or seeking belonging. In this context, the body becomes a canvas for expression — but also a battleground for self-worth.

In times of emotional distress or trauma, focusing on the body can also become a means of control. When life feels unpredictable or overwhelming, controlling food intake, exercise, or appearance can offer a false sense of safety and stability. However, this coping mechanism often comes at the cost of mental health.

The Impact on Mental Health

Negative body image is not just an aesthetic concern — it can profoundly impact mental wellbeing. Body dissatisfaction has been linked with a range of psychological difficulties, including:

• Low self-esteem
• Anxiety and social withdrawal
• Depression
• Disordered eating and eating disorders
• Obsessive or perfectionistic thinking

These struggles can affect every area of life — from relationships and work to self-care and overall quality of life.

Moreover, body image concerns are not limited to one gender, age group, or body type. People of all shapes, sizes, genders, ethnicities, and backgrounds can experience body dissatisfaction, though their experiences may be shaped by different social and cultural factors.

Therapy and the Path to Healing

The good news is that healing from body dissatisfaction is possible. Therapy provides a safe, non-judgemental space to explore the underlying beliefs and experiences that shape how we see ourselves. While the journey is unique to each individual, some of the ways therapy can help include:

1. Challenging Unhelpful Beliefs

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), for example, helps individuals identify and challenge the negative thought patterns that reinforce body dissatisfaction. These might include black-and-white thinking (e.g., “If I’m not thin, I’m a failure”) or mind-reading (e.g., “Everyone is judging how I look”).

By bringing awareness to these thoughts and learning to reframe them, individuals can begin to develop a more balanced and compassionate inner dialogue.

2. Exploring the Roots of Shame

Body image struggles are often tied to deeper feelings of shame — the belief that we are somehow flawed or unworthy. Therapy can help unpack the origins of this shame, whether it stems from early experiences, trauma, or social pressures. In doing so, individuals can begin to separate their self-worth from their appearance.

3. Reconnecting with the Body

Approaches such as mindfulness-based therapy, somatic therapy, or acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) encourage individuals to reconnect with their bodies in a more accepting and present-focused way. This might involve noticing bodily sensations without judgement, engaging in self-care, or moving the body for joy rather than punishment.

4. Developing Self-Compassion

Self-compassion is a powerful antidote to body shame. Through therapeutic work, individuals can learn to treat themselves with the same kindness and understanding they would offer a loved one. This doesn’t mean liking every part of your body — it means acknowledging your struggles with empathy and recognising that your worth is not conditional on appearance.

Beyond the Individual: Creating a Culture of Acceptance

While individual therapy is transformative, it’s also essential to consider the broader cultural context. Promoting diverse, realistic, and inclusive representations of bodies in media, education, and public discourse can help shift harmful norms.

We can all play a role in creating a culture where people are valued for who they are — not how they look. This might involve:

• Avoiding negative body talk
• Complimenting people on their character, skills, or kindness (rather than appearance)
• Curating our social media to include body-positive or body-neutral content
• Encouraging open conversations about mental health and body image

During Mental Health Month, it’s vital to recognise that body image is far more than skin deep.

It reflects our internal world — our beliefs, experiences, and relationships — and affects how we move through the world. For many, the path to healing starts with the simple but radical idea that our bodies are not problems to be fixed, but parts of ourselves worthy of respect and care.

Through compassionate therapy, supportive relationships, and cultural change, we can move towards a world where everyone feels at home in their body — and in themselves.

If body image is something you’re struggling with, you’re not alone — and support is available.

At CBT Professionals, our experienced team of psychologists is here to help you explore these challenges and build a more compassionate relationship with yourself through evidence-based, client-centred therapy.

We offer in-person appointments across our Gold Coast clinics and telehealth sessions Australia-wide.

Book an appointment today:

Helensvale Clinic – (07) 5573 6600

Nerang Clinic – (07) 5559 0622

Upper Coomera Clinic – (07) 5613 1126

Or visit our website to find out more: www.cbtprofessionals.com.au

Let this Mental Health Month be the beginning of a kinder, more supportive relationship with yourself.