Body image struggles are deeply personal and often invisible. What may look like confidence on the outside can mask a quiet, persistent inner battle with self-worth, appearance, and identity.
For women, these struggles are especially common and deeply rooted in societal pressures, past trauma, and mental health challenges. All of these aspects can shape the way a woman sees and treats her body. In many cases, body image issues are more than insecurity—they can be a sign of emotional pain, disordered eating, or unresolved trauma.
At Casa Serena, we understand that healing body image is not about “fixing” how someone looks, but about transforming how they feel. As a trauma-informed treatment center for women, we support individuals who carry the weight of shame, perfectionism, and self-criticism.
If you’re wondering how to help someone with body image issues, it begins with empathy—and the right information. This guide will offer practical steps for supporting someone you care about while honoring the complexity of their experience.
Recognizing the Signs of Body Image Issues
Body image issues are extremely common, especially among women, with studies reporting between 69-84% of women experiencing body dissatisfaction. Understanding how to help someone with body image issues starts with noticing the signs, many of which may not be obvious at first.
Body image concerns can affect nearly every aspect of a woman’s life, from her confidence and relationships to her eating and exercise habits. Here are some signs to look out for:
Emotional & Behavioral Signs:
- Persistent self-criticism about weight, shape, or perceived flaws.
- Avoiding social situations, mirrors, or photos due to discomfort.
- Compulsive comparison to others’ bodies (in-person or through social media).
- Frequent “body checking” behaviors (pinching skin, repeated weighing).
Physical Manifestations:
- Disordered eating patterns, including restrictive diets or binge cycles.
- Overexercising despite injury or exhaustion.
- Wearing baggy clothing to conceal the body, even in warm weather.
These are just some signs that might indicate body image issues, but this list is not exhaustive and also may not point to body image issues for everyone.
The Trauma Connection
For a lot women, body image issues are not just about appearance—they’re about survival. Trauma, abuse, and addiction can sever the connection between a woman and her body, leading to shame, numbness, or a desire to disappear rather than a source of strength. Many women who have experienced trauma also experience negative body image issues.
Casa Serena recognizes that poor body image can be a symptom of something deeper. That’s why our trauma specialists help rebuild this connection through somatic therapy and EMDR, because healing requires addressing both the visible and invisible scars.
How to Help Someone with Body Image Issues
If you’re wondering how to help someone with body image issues, know that your presence can make a powerful difference. Support doesn’t require the perfect words—it requires empathy, consistency, and a willingness to meet her where she is.
- What to Say and What Not to Say
Language matters. Focus on body-neutral, affirming statements that reflect her worth beyond appearance. Try saying things like, “I value how you show up in the world,” or “You’re more than how you look.”
Avoid comments—positive or negative—about weight, size, or food choices. Even well-intentioned compliments like “You look great!” can unintentionally reinforce body-based self-worth. Skip diet talk altogether. Instead, validate her emotions and let her know she’s not alone.
- Be a Safe, Consistent Presence
When someone is struggling with body image, showing up matters more than fixing the problem. Start with offering a listening ear without judgment or unsolicited advice. Let her guide the conversation and honor her boundaries.
Sometimes the most healing thing you can say is, “I’m here, and I care.” Trust builds through small, consistent acts of support.
- Encourage Professional Support
You don’t need to have all the answers. If her struggles are impacting her well-being, gently suggest professional help—not as a last resort, but as an act of self-respect and strength. Let her know there are programs that truly understand. Recovery is possible—and it doesn’t have to happen alone.
Professional Treatment Options
If you’re exploring how to help someone with body image issues, it’s important to know that compassionate, whole-person treatment is available—and it works. Casa Serena recognizes that body image issues often reflect deeper pain. That’s why our approach centers on healing from the inside out.
Holistic Therapies that Reconnect and Restore
Many women struggling with body image have learned to disconnect from their bodies in order to survive. Our trauma-informed therapies are designed to gently restore that connection with care and consent.
- Somatic experiencing helps women safely tune into their bodies, releasing stored trauma and reducing shame.
- Vision boards and the Discovering Wellness program guide self-exploration, allowing women to imagine a life beyond self-criticism and reclaim personal goals.
- Garden Therapy and EcoTherapy ground healing in nature—offering calm, growth, and reconnection in every season.
These therapies offer more than tools—they offer a path to self-trust, peace, and empowerment.
Dual Diagnosis Care for Complex Challenges
Body image struggles rarely exist in isolation. Many women also face anxiety, depression, PTSD, or substance use. Our dual diagnosis program treats all of these concerns together, not separately, because real healing addresses the whole woman.
Through individualized care, a sisterhood-based environment, and evidence-based treatment, Casa Serena helps women not only recover but rediscover who they are beyond their body image.
Healing Is Possible at Casa Serena
At Casa Serena, we’ve witnessed countless women rediscover their inherent worth, not despite their struggles, but through them.
Why Healing Thrives Here
- A judgment-free space where vulnerability becomes strength.
- Time-tested therapies adapted for modern recovery needs.
- Treatment guided by ethics, not profit margins.
- Addressing mind, body, and spirit through beachside tranquility.
Every woman’s journey is honored at her own pace. Whether the struggle with body image stems from trauma, mental health challenges, addiction, or all of the above, Casa Serena meets every woman exactly where she is and walks with her every step of the way.
If someone you love is battling body image issues, don’t wait to reach out. Call (805) 966-1260 or visit casaserena.org to learn how we can help. Her healing can start today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Body Image Issues
What causes body image issues in women?
Body image struggles often stem from complex interconnections of:
Societal pressures (unrealistic beauty standards, social media comparisons).
Personal history (childhood teasing, trauma, or abuse).
Mental health factors (anxiety, perfectionism, or OCD tendencies).
Biological influences (hormonal changes, genetic predispositions).
At Casa Serena, we understand that body image challenges are rarely just about the body—they’re about the story behind it.
What if my loved one denies having a problem?
Gentle support strategies include:
“I” statements: “I’ve noticed you seem stressed about meals lately, and I care about you.”
Focus on feelings: Rather than appearance, ask how they’re feeling about their body
Lead by example: Model body-neutral language and self-care
Our family therapy program teaches compassionate communication techniques to bridge this gap while respecting boundaries.
How does Casa Serena’s approach differ?
As a women-only nonprofit with 65 years of expertise, we offer:
Trauma-informed care addressing the “why” behind body struggles.
Somatic and nature-based therapies to reconnect with the body joyfully.
Dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring substance use or mental health needs.
Communal living that replaces isolation with authentic sisterhood.
This integrated, gender-responsive model creates lasting transformation, not just symptom management.
Can poor body image lead to substance abuse?
Yes. For many women, negative body image has been associated with substance use. Drugs or alcohol may be used to escape self-loathing, suppress appetite, numb emotional pain, or manage anxiety around body exposure or social settings.
This form of self-medication often masks underlying trauma or mental health concerns, creating a cycle that can be hard to break alone. At Casa Serena, we offer dual diagnosis treatment, addressing both substance use and the root causes so women can heal holistically.
