Body Positivity Therapy for Children & Teens
Nurturing Healthy Body Image in a Critical World
In today's image-focused culture, children and teens face unprecedented pressure around appearance. Social media, peer comparisons, and popular culture bombard young people with unrealistic standards that can lead to negative body image, disordered eating patterns, and diminished self-esteem. As both a registered assiciate marriage and family therapist and mother of three San Francisco teenagers, I understand these pressures firsthand and am passionate about helping young people develop a healthy, positive relationship with their bodies.
Body positivity therapy isn't about teaching children to ignore health – it's about helping them appreciate their bodies for what they can do rather than just how they look, developing media literacy skills, and building resilience against harmful cultural messages. Through our work together, your child can develop a foundation of body acceptance that will support their mental and physical wellbeing throughout life.
Ready to help your child develop a healthier relationship with their body? Book a free 15-minute consultation to discuss how we can work together on this important journey.
Body Image Challenges in Children & Teens
Body image concerns can emerge at surprisingly young ages and manifest differently across development:
Elementary age: Comparing body sizes, early dieting behaviors, comments about weight
Tweens: Heightened appearance focus, insecurity about physical changes, social comparison
Teens: Body dissatisfaction, restrictive eating, excessive exercise, appearance-based bullying
These concerns often intersect with other challenges like anxiety, depression, peer relationship difficulties, and social media pressures. For some young people, particularly those with chronic illness or physical differences, body image concerns may be even more complex.
My Approach to Body Positivity Therapy
My therapeutic approach to body image issues combines several evidence-based methodologies:
Cognitive behavioral techniques: Identifying and challenging negative body thoughts
Media literacy education: Developing critical thinking about media messages
Self-compassion practices: Cultivating kindness toward one's body and appearance
Health-focused rather than appearance-focused approaches: Appreciating what bodies can do
Family systems work: Addressing how family attitudes about bodies and food affect children
Expressive therapies: Using art, movement, and writing to explore body experiences
As both a therapist and mother of three teenagers in San Francisco, I bring professional expertise and real-world understanding to our work together. I'm familiar with the unique appearance pressures that exist in our city's culture and how they affect young people's self-perception.
Signs Your Child May Benefit from Body Positivity Therapy
Consider reaching out if your child:
Makes frequent negative comments about their body
Compares their appearance unfavorably to peers or media figures
Shows changes in eating patterns or attitudes toward food
Avoids activities due to body image concerns
Experiences appearance-based teasing or bullying
Spends excessive time on appearance or shows perfectionism
Expresses distress about puberty-related body changes
Supporting Parents in Fostering Body Positivity
Parents play a crucial role in shaping children's body image. Through our work together, I'll help you:
Examine and modify your own language about bodies and food
Create a home environment that emphasizes body functionality over appearance
Support healthy, relaxed attitudes toward eating
Respond effectively to your child's body image concerns
Navigate diet culture messages in extended family and social circles
For parents seeking additional guidance, I also offer specialized parent coaching sessions focused on fostering body positivity.
Foster a Lifetime of Body Peace
Body image struggles can affect every aspect of a child's development, from academic performance to friendships to family relationships. With the right support, children and teens can develop resilience against harmful cultural messages and a compassionate relationship with their bodies. As both a therapist and mother of three teenagers here in San Francisco, I bring professional knowledge and personal understanding to our therapeutic relationship.
Contact me today for a free 15-minute consultation to discuss how we can work together to help your child develop a healthier, more positive relationship with their body and appearance.
