Special Body Image Article by Diane McGeachy, original article written in July 2020, revised in Jan 2025
For over 15 years, I have worked with individuals struggling with body image concerns, eating disorders, and complex relationships with food and their bodies. My journey in this field began with a transformative experience running a support group on Haida Gwaii, a remote island in northwest Canada. The group primarily consisted of Haida women—strong, intelligent, and resilient individuals—yet they faced deep-seated challenges around guilt, shame, and self-loathing regarding their bodies.
My own experiences have significantly shaped my approach to this work. Growing up, I was never considered skinny and often faced teasing. One moment that stands out occurred in grade three when my friend Sarah, slim and graceful, slipped through a narrow gap between a desk and a bookshelf. When I followed, my hip brushed the desk. Sarah turned to me and remarked, “You’re fat.” I mustered a smile and sang, “I know,” but internally, I was overcome with shame. As the youngest and largest of four siblings, my size was frequently highlighted, often by my now-deceased grandfather. These experiences made it unsurprising that I would be drawn to work in the realm of body image and food relationships, navigating my own turbulent history along the way.
Throughout my career, I’ve encountered diverse perspectives about my body from clients. Some have expressed that my body seemed “just right” for this work—not too thin, not too large—evoking a Goldilocks-like perception. Others scrutinised my size, questioning how my body shape could either validate or invalidate my ability to understand their struggles. For clients undergoing life-altering procedures like bariatric surgery, my ability to empathise was sometimes questioned if my body didn’t mirror their lived experience. These interactions highlight the dynamic interplay between a client’s perception of their therapist and the therapist’s own relationship with their body.
This brings us to the question: Does the therapist’s body matter? In short, yes—but perhaps not in the way you might think. A therapist doesn’t need to exemplify societal ideals of thinness, fitness, or perfect health. Instead, what matters is the therapist’s ability to be attuned to their own feelings about their body—whether discomfort, acceptance, shame, or confidence. Ignoring the relevance of their body in the therapeutic process denies an opportunity for meaningful dialogue and shared understanding.
In Gestalt Psychotherapy, we refer to this as the phenomenology of the therapist. Simply put, it’s about how therapists tune into their own experiences, reactions, and feelings to contribute to meaningful interactions with their clients. By embracing this awareness, therapists can create a more authentic and supportive environment for exploration and healing.
This is a topic that warrants greater discussion within the profession. Perhaps it’s time to start that conversation.
Reflection Questions
- What qualities do you value in a therapist?
- Does a therapist’s body size or appearance influence your perception of their effectiveness?
- Have you openly discussed body image or size differences with your therapist?
- Are you seeking weight loss, improved health, self-acceptance, or a combination of these?
- From whom do you learn about self-acceptance?
Let’s explore these questions together as we navigate the complexities of body image and therapeutic relationships.
Diane McGeachy
Psychologist
Body Image Specialist
Phone: (03) 6285 8592
Email: enquiries@bodyimageprogram.com
Body Image Program
181 Elizabeth Street
Hobart TAS 7000
www.bodyimageprogram.com