Body Image & Self-Concept Therapy in Calgary and Online

We live in a world full of pressure: to look a certain way, perform at a certain level, and "fix" things that were never broken to begin with. The result? Many people—especially teens, women, and gender-diverse individuals—struggle with low self-esteem, distorted body image, or chronic self-criticism.

At Core Psychology, we support individuals of all ages in building a healthier, more compassionate relationship with themselves. Whether you're struggling with body image, confidence, self-worth, or your sense of identity, therapy can help you reconnect with who you are—beneath the noise of external expectations.

What Is Body Image and Self-Concept Work in Therapy?

Body image refers to how you perceive and feel about your body—your shape, weight, appearance, and physical presence.
Self-concept is broader: it includes your sense of identity, self-worth, values, and how you define who you are.

In therapy, we explore how societal pressures, personal experiences, relationships, and internalized beliefs may have shaped the way you view yourself—and how to begin shifting toward a more integrated, grounded self-concept.

You Might Be Struggling With:

• Negative self-talk or constant self-comparison

• Body shame, preoccupation with weight or appearance

• Perfectionism, people-pleasing, or chronic self-doubt

• Difficulty accepting compliments or feeling “good enough”

• Disordered eating patterns or unhealthy coping behaviours

• Feeling disconnected from your body after trauma, stress, or life changes

You’re not alone. So many people internalize messages from family, peers, social media, and culture that tell them they need to be different in order to be accepted or worthy.

Therapy creates space to challenge those messages—and begin rewriting them.

What Therapy Can Help You Reclaim

In our work together, we aim to help you:

• Build awareness of critical inner narratives—and where they came from

• Learn to relate to your body with curiosity instead of criticism

• Strengthen your identity beyond appearance or productivity

• Develop self-compassion, resilience, and emotional regulation

• Reconnect with your values and goals—on your terms

• Improve relationships with food, movement, rest, and self-care

Our approach is trauma-informed, gender-affirming, and inclusive.
We meet you where you are, not where someone else says you "should" be.

Support for Teens, Adults & Gender-Diverse Clients

Our clinicians support:

• Adolescents and teens developing their self-worth during vulnerable identity-forming years

• Adults navigating shame, body changes, or deep-rooted self-criticism

• People recovering from diet culture, fatphobia, or appearance-based bullying

• LGBTQ2S+ clients working to feel at home in their body and identity

• Individuals in recovery from trauma, anxiety, or eating concerns

We work collaboratively, drawing from approaches like:

• Self-compassion and mindfulness-based strategies

• Narrative therapy and identity exploration

• Emotion-focused and trauma-informed care

• Body neutrality and intuitive movement principles