It starts small. A quick check in the mirror before you leave. A photo you delete because you don't like how you look. Then one day you notice you have skipped the pool party, changed your outfit four times and spent the evening comparing yourself to people online. If worries about how you look are taking up more and more of your day, body image counselling in Cambridge can help. This post covers the signs, what counselling works on, support for teens 16 and up and two local therapists who do this work.
This post is general information, not a diagnosis. Only a qualified professional can assess what you're going through.
Body image counselling in Cambridge, who reaches out
Body image is how you see, think and feel about your body. Everyone has days when they feel less sure of themselves. But for some people, those worries become a constant weight.
People who reach out for body image counselling in Cambridge come from all walks of life. Some are teens dealing with changing bodies and pressure from social media. Some are adults who have felt unhappy with their bodies for as long as they can remember. Others notice new worries after a big change, like pregnancy, an illness, an injury or getting older.
We see teens 16 and up and adults for body image counselling. You can meet at our Main Street office in Galt City Centre, at our Water Street office or online from anywhere in Ontario.
Signs negative body image is taking up too much room
Negative body image can show up in everyday habits. You might notice that you:
Check mirrors, windows or photos many times a day
Cover up with baggy clothes, even when it is hot
Skip pools, the gym, beaches or photos
Spend hours comparing yourself with friends, strangers or people online
Feel your mood rise or fall depending on how you think you look
Avoid intimacy or being seen by a partner
Ask others again and again if you look okay
None of these on their own means something is wrong. But if several sound familiar and they are getting in the way of your life, it may be time to talk with someone.
Body image and self-esteem, mood and relationships
Body image and self-esteem are closely tied. When you feel bad about your body, it can spill over into how you feel about yourself as a whole. You may start to believe you are not good enough, not likeable or not worth being with.
It can work the other way too. When your self-esteem is low for other reasons, like stress at work, a breakup or a hard time at school, your body can become an easy target for those feelings.
Body worries can also affect your mood. Many people feel anxious before social events or low after time spent scrolling. In relationships, you may pull away, avoid closeness or need a lot of reassurance. Over time, this can leave both you and the people you love feeling stuck.
What counselling works on
Body image counselling is not about convincing you to love the mirror. It is about loosening the grip that body worries have on your life. A therapist may help you:
Ease checking and avoiding habits. Step by step, you cut back on checking and start doing things you have been avoiding.
Soften harsh self-talk. You learn to notice the cruel things you say to yourself, and to respond in a kinder, more balanced way.
Step back from comparison. You look at what triggers comparing, and find ways to step out of it.
Value what your body does. Some people find it helpful to focus on what their body lets them do, like walking, hugging or dancing, instead of how it looks. This idea is often called body neutrality. A small pilot program for teens built on this idea was well received and was linked with short-term improvements, though it was an early study (see Sources).
Research on body image programs shows that people can feel better about their bodies, and that change is usually gradual (see Sources). Small steps add up.
Your first session is mostly about getting to know you. Your therapist will ask what brings you in, how body worries show up in your day and what you would like to change. You don't have to share anything you're not ready to talk about. Together, you will decide on a few first goals. These might be as simple as wearing a favourite shirt again or going to one event you would usually skip.
Body image therapy for teens in Cambridge, 16 and up
Teens face a lot of pressure about how they look. Social media, sports, changing bodies and comments from peers can all play a part. Body image therapy for teens in Cambridge gives older teens a safe place to talk about these worries with someone outside the family.
Parents can watch for signs like:
Avoiding photos, swimming or social events
Big changes in eating or exercise
Long hours in front of the mirror, or covering up all the time
Comments like "I'm so ugly" or "I hate how I look"
Pulling away from friends or family
If you notice these signs, try to stay calm and curious. You might say, "I've noticed you seem down about how you look lately. Do you want to talk about it?" Try not to comment on weight or appearance, even in a positive way. It also helps to speak kindly about your own body at home. Teens notice how the adults around them talk about food, weight and looks. Both of the therapists below see teens 16 and up.
Body image therapists in Cambridge
Two of our Cambridge therapists list body image on their profiles and are accepting new clients:
Natalia Munive, RSW. Sees teens 16 and up and adults at our 188 Main Street office and online. Learn more about Natalia Munive.
Navreen Dhillon, RSW. Sees teens 16 and up and adults at our 73 Water St N office and online. Learn more about Navreen Dhillon.
If you're looking for a body image therapist in Cambridge and not sure who to choose, the free consultation can help match you with the right person.
When eating or exercise has changed too
Sometimes body image worries come with changes in eating or exercise. You might be skipping meals, eating in secret, exercising even when you are sick or hurt, or feeling out of control around food. Eating disorders are real, serious and treatable (see Sources).
If this sounds like you or your teen, counselling can be one part of your care, alongside medical care. Please also talk with a doctor or nurse practitioner about your physical health. You can learn more about our eating disorders counselling.
Cost, billing and your first step
Sessions with our therapists range from $130 to $200, depending on the clinician.
We accept Health Spending Accounts (HSAs).
We can direct bill many insurers. Coverage depends on your plan, so check with your insurer before you start.
Book a free 15-minute consultation with our admin team. Let them know you'd like help with body image, and whether you prefer Main Street, Water Street or online, and they'll help you find a good fit.
If eating has stopped, or someone feels faint or very unwell, call 911.
If you're in crisis: if you or someone you love is in immediate danger, call 911. If you're thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 any time, day or night.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Sources
A meta-analytic review of stand-alone interventions to improve body image, Alleva and colleagues, PLoS ONE, 2015
Project Body Neutrality: piloting a digital single-session intervention for adolescent body image and depression, Smith and colleagues, International Journal of Eating Disorders, 2023
Eating disorders: what you need to know, National Institute of Mental Health