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Body image refers to the way we think and feel about our appearance, which includes our physical shape, skin color, muscle development, and other attributes. This perception starts forming in childhood and is shaped by factors such as our surroundings, cultural influences, caregivers, and friends. A negative body image can lead to feelings of anxiety or unease about one’s appearance. While some people may manage these feelings without help, others may need more support.
Individuals dealing with more intense body image issues might benefit from extensive care, whether that be in a hospital or outpatient setting, based on their symptoms and personal circumstances. Various risk factors can trigger body image concerns, including:
- Gender: Research indicates that women often report more dissatisfaction with their bodies, though 10 to 30% of men experience similar issues.
- Sexual orientation: Studies reveal that gay and bisexual men tend to experience higher levels of body dissatisfaction.
- Home environment: Children exposed to negative remarks about their bodies or witnessing unhealthy eating and exercise patterns may develop poor body images earlier in life.
- Societal norms: Individuals who feel their bodies don’t meet societal expectations may experience increased body dissatisfaction.
- History of trauma or abuse: Early experiences of trauma can contribute to feelings of body dissatisfaction or a sense of betrayal by one’s own body.
- Social Media:As a newer factor, social media can create false perceptions of appearance, leading to dissatisfaction, especially if individuals feel they don’t measure up. Filters and editing tools can alter how people look, heightening these feelings.
Some individuals with body image issues may go on to develop eating disorders, such as Binge-Eating Disorder (BED) or Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). In certain cases, treatment for eating disorders involves medical supervision to ensure both physical and psychological health.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely-used approach for those dealing with body image issues. It aids clients in recognizing and changing harmful thought patterns and beliefs that impact their feelings and actions regarding body image. Treatment may involve techniques like self-monitoring, exposure exercises, and cognitive restructuring.
Explore our complete collection of body image worksheets
Creating Goals and Objectives in Your Body Image Treatment Plan
Before outlining goals and objectives for a treatment plan, it’s crucial to assess the client’s symptoms and any accompanying mental health issues. Start by reviewing relevant documentation, such as self-assessments and intake forms, to gather insights.
Each treatment plan should be customized to meet the unique needs of the client. While some interventions may be similar among individuals, each client will have specific variations. Many clinicians find it beneficial to use worksheets during sessions and within body image treatment plans. TherapyByPro serves as an excellent resource for mental health professionals addressing various concerns, including body image and self-esteem challenges. Popular worksheets for these topics include:
Components of an Effective Body Image Treatment Plan
In this section, we will focus on developing a treatment plan for negative body image. We will illustrate this with the case of a fictional 13-year-old girl named Jane. The subsequent discussions will refer to the customizable treatment plan template from TherapyByPro. Let’s get started!
Jane’s Situation:
Jane is a 13-year-old girl whose parents suggested she see a counselor. They filled out part of her intake documents and noted changes in her mood, behavior, and clothing choices since returning to school in the fall. She has faced bullying regarding her weight, although it is within a healthy range for her age and height.
In her first session, Jane mentioned she has begun dieting because she feels uncomfortable in her body. She tracks her calorie intake and exercises regularly. While she sees no problem with this behavior, her parents disagree. Jane also shared that she spends considerable time on her appearance, particularly on school days. She frequently checks her reflection and experiences negative self-talk about her body throughout the day. She expressed worry about gaining weight and is preoccupied with her stomach and arms. Jane has become slightly disengaged from her friends and spends less time with them outside of school. She feels anxious before meals and social events. Although Jane recognizes her behaviors as concerning, she prioritizes her discomfort with her body. She has no suicidal thoughts or previous mental health issues and has maintained excellent academic performance.
Collaborating with Other Agencies for Care Coordination
This segment of your treatment plan should identify other professionals involved in providing comprehensive care. For Jane, consulting with her pediatrician could be essential due to her body image issues and restrictive eating behaviors.
Example for Jane:
Care Coordination: Pediatrician, Dr. Smith (123) 456-7890
Clinical Diagnoses
In this part, note the diagnosis that corresponds to the client’s symptoms. Jane seems to be contending with Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder- Atypical Anorexia Nervosa. This diagnosis matches her symptoms, including food restriction, fear of weight gain, and body image distortions. Since she maintains a healthy weight, she does not meet the criteria for anorexia nervosa.
Example for Jane:
Clinical Diagnosis: Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder- Atypical Anorexia Nervosa
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Feeding or Eating Disorder – Atypical Anorexia Nervosa ICD-10: F50.89
Current Medications and Responses
Psychiatric medications may be utilized based on a client’s specific characteristics to foster emotional well-being and recovery. These medications can complement therapeutic services. Currently, Jane is not on any medications for either psychological or medical issues. Should her situation change during therapy, this section of your treatment plan can be adjusted accordingly.
Example for Jane:
Current Medications: None at this moment
Presenting Problem and Related Symptoms
This segment of your treatment plan enables you to create a conceptual framework for addressing Jane’s body image treatment goals and objectives. Here, you should outline Jane’s existing symptoms, their intensity, and their impact on her daily life.
Example for Jane:
Jane, a 13-year-old girl, was referred for treatment by her parents. She has not undergone any prior mental health treatment, including counseling or psychiatric medications. Since the start of the school year, her parents have noticed changes in her behavior, such as altered clothing choices, reduced social interactions, and an obsession with her appearance. They have mentioned that Jane has faced bullying concerning her weight, even though her pediatrician has confirmed she is at a healthy weight for her height.
During discussions with Jane, it was revealed that she has begun restricting her food intake, tracking calories, and excessively checking her reflection since the onset of bullying. She perceives her stomach and arms as “problematic” areas and worries about gaining weight in these regions. Jane often engages in negative self-talk, particularly before social situations. Ultimately, her dissatisfaction with her body image seems to be the primary source of her distress. While she does report mild anxiety, she denies having any suicidal thoughts or severe depressive feelings. Although she feels overwhelmed at times, she manages to keep up with her school assignments and maintain her academic performance. However, without appropriate support, her mild symptoms may deteriorate, especially if bullying and negative social experiences persist.
Goals and Objectives
This part of your treatment plan should outline the framework for your sessions with Jane. Goals and objectives must be customized to meet her individual needs, ensuring she receives thorough and personalized care. The objectives in your treatment plan should align with the therapeutic approach you intend to follow.
Example for Jane:
GOAL: Enhance Body Image and Alleviate Obsessions with Appearance
Objective 1: Utilize thought records to pinpoint negative body image thoughts. Challenge three of these automatic thoughts weekly, and note their effects on her feelings and behaviors for discussion in therapy.
Objective 2: Participate in exposure exercises with a mirror while employing self-compassion prompts. This should be done at least twice daily before the next session, logging thoughts before and after to assess how self-compassion influences her self-esteem.
Objective 3: Integrate one mindfulness activity into her daily routine, such as mindful breathing, body scans, or meditation.
GOAL: Foster Balanced and Healthy Perspectives on Eating and Exercise
Objective 1: Decrease calorie tracking behaviors by uninstalling related apps and methods. Begin utilizing mindful eating logs to reflect on how eating affects her body.
Objective 2: Engage in behavioral experiments to explore beliefs about food and weight that cause emotional distress. This may involve testing whether specific foods, like carbohydrates, lead to weight gain. Document findings for review in sessions.
Objective 3: Identify three value-based reasons for exercising before engaging in physical activity, such as enjoyment, enhanced flexibility, and increased energy levels.
GOAL: Boost Self-Esteem
Objective 1: Create a collage showcasing five strengths that Jane recognizes in herself. Bring the collage to a therapy session for exploration and discussion.
Objective 2: Engage in mindfulness-based self-compassion activities, such as loving-kindness meditation, two times per week. Have Jane track changes in her negative self-talk following these practices.
Objective 3: Construct a thought replacement card featuring positive affirmations to challenge cognitive distortions and automatic thoughts.
Specific Interventions to Be Used
In this section, you can outline specific interventions that will be implemented to achieve the treatment goals. This part of the treatment plan can be updated as new interventions are introduced.
Example for Jane:
Intervention: Cognitive restructuring to address distorted thoughts
Responsible Person: Counselor and Jane
Intervention: Behavioral experiments
Responsible Person: Jane
Intervention: Mirror exposure
Responsible Person: Jane
Intervention: Cognitive rehearsal and role-playing
Responsible Person: Counselor and Jane
Intervention: Thought replacement card
Responsible Person: Jane, with support from Counselor
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Supplementary Services and Support
A range of treatment options can enhance existing services. For Jane, engaging in family therapy sessions can foster communication, offer psychoeducation, and ensure that every family member feels understood and supported.
Example for Jane:
Additional Services: Family Therapy weekly
Projected Timeframe for Completion
The length of treatment can vary based on the individual client’s needs. It’s essential to understand that this date is an estimate and may differ from actual treatment duration. In Jane’s situation, extending treatment may be beneficial to prevent worsening of her symptoms. The plan could involve psychoeducation, family therapy, active therapeutic work, and ongoing support once she starts improving.
Example for Jane:
Estimated Duration for Completion: Six months, subject to change as needed
Post-Treatment Plans
There are various reasons a client may stop treatment. Ideally, this would be due to the successful completion of their treatment plan and substantial clinical progress. However, life can lead to shorter treatment durations than anticipated. Crafting the aftercare component of your treatment plan can help prepare for unexpected treatment cessation. This portion should be drafted as if your client were to conclude treatment today, allowing for future adjustments.
Example for Jane:
Aftercare Plans: Consult with the Pediatrician to obtain a referral for outpatient services in the local area.
Concluding Thoughts on Developing an Effective Body Image Treatment Plan
We appreciate your interest in learning about creating a treatment plan for negative body image. Assisting clients who face challenges with their body image or self-esteem can help prevent their issues from escalating into eating disorders like bulimia or anorexia. Additionally, clients may witness a reduction in anxiety and depressive symptoms linked to body dissatisfaction. By fostering a healthy identity and self-esteem, clients can enhance their emotional regulation and self-acceptance.
For more resources on how to assist clients struggling with body image or self-esteem, we encourage you to look into training and continuing education opportunities relevant to your field. These are prevalent issues in the United States and may impact numerous clients in your practice.
TherapyByPro serves as a reliable resource for mental health professionals globally. Our therapeutic tools are designed with a singular goal: to save you time and allow you to concentrate on what truly matters—your clients. Each worksheet, counseling script, and therapy poster available in our shop is expertly crafted to streamline your workflow, enhance your sessions, alleviate stress, and most importantly, benefit your clients.
Looking to expand your client base? We can assist! TherapyByPro is also a directory for therapists, helping you connect with new clients, showcase your expertise, and meaningfully impact others’ lives.
Explore all of our body image worksheets
References:
- Alleva JM, Sheeran P, Webb TL, Martijn C, Miles E. A Meta-Analytic Review of Stand-Alone Interventions to Improve Body Image. PLoS One. 2015 Sep 29;10(9):e0139177. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139177. PMID: 26418470; PMCID: PMC4587797.
- Body image and eating disorders. National Eating Disorders Association. (2025, March 21).
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