Healing Body Image and Eating Disorders

Our relationship with our body and food is deeply personal—and often complicated. Societal pressures, past experiences, trauma, and psychological factors can shape how we feel about ourselves. When concerns about body image or eating habits start to interfere with daily life or emotional well-being, it may be time to seek support.

At The Houston Center for Valued Living (HCFVL), we help individuals understand the root causes of body image distress and disordered eating and support their healing through evidence-based therapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

What Are Body Image Concerns and Eating Disorders?

Body image refers to how you think, feel, and behave in relation to your body. A negative body image can lead to constant self-criticism, comparison, and even harmful eating behaviors.

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that affect how people relate to food, body image, and control. They’re not just about food—they’re often about emotion regulation, self-worth, and unmet needs.

Common Eating Disorders We Treat

Anorexia Nervosa: Involves extreme food restriction, fear of weight gain, and a distorted body image. People with anorexia often perceive themselves as overweight, even when underweight.
Bulimia Nervosa: Characterized by cycles of binge eating followed by behaviors like vomiting, laxative use, or excessive exercise. Individuals may be at any body weight.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED): Includes frequent episodes of eating large amounts of food, often quickly and in secret, followed by guilt or shame. There are no compensatory behaviors, which distinguishes it from bulimia.
Orthorexia: An unhealthy obsession with eating “clean” or “healthy” to the point that it causes anxiety, restrictiveness, or social isolation. While not yet a formal diagnosis, it can be distressing and interfere with daily life.

The Role of Society and Psychology

You didn’t cause this—and you’re not alone.

Many people develop body image concerns and eating issues in response to:

Cultural messages about beauty and thinness
Trauma or early life experiences
Perfectionism, anxiety, or low self-worth
A desire for control during stressful or uncertain times

At HCFVL, we don’t just focus on symptoms—we help you explore the emotional patterns and beliefs that keep you stuck.

How Therapy Can Help

We use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors related to food and body image. Our approach includes:

Challenging distorted thinking patterns
Developing self-compassion and body respect
Practicing mindful, intuitive eating habits
Rebuilding your connection with your body—beyond appearance

Image of women jumping and happy to illustrate body image and eating disorder counseling in houston

Our Guiding Frameworks

We’re committed to a non-diet, weight-inclusive approach. Some of the guiding philosophies we draw from include:

Health at Every Size® (HAES): Emphasizing respect for body diversity and health-promoting behaviors over weight loss.
Intuitive Eating: Reconnecting with hunger, fullness, and satisfaction cues while rejecting external diet rules.
Body Neutrality: Focusing less on appearance and more on what your body allows you to experience and do.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

If you’re struggling with your relationship with food, your body, or both—there is hope. Recovery doesn’t happen overnight, but with the right support, it is absolutely possible.

Whether you’re exploring therapy for the first time or looking for a new path forward, we’re here to walk beside you.

Reach out today to learn more about our services or to schedule a consultation.

Therapists who work with body image & eating disorders:

Kelly Bires, MA, LPC-Associate