Body Dysmorphic Disorder Therapy
Therapy for BDD in Hampshire
There are days when we all feel less than our best, and these moments are natural. But when you regularly feel over-critical about your physical appearance or a perceived flaw or defect, it can be a sign of an underlying mental health condition, known as body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).
If you suffer from BDD, you likely concentrate intensely on your physical appearance. It often involves spending hours examining your reflection, excessive grooming, or seeking out cosmetic treatments to change something others may not even notice. You may constantly seek reassurance, yet feel no relief from your anxieties.
While to others your turmoil might not be apparent, the struggle is real. The first step towards reclaiming your happiness can be difficult. Please know you are not alone. I offer a safe and compassionate space to help you heal completely with my BDD therapy.
In my sessions, I will use a blend of Schema Therapy, CBT, and Compassion-Focused Therapy to change your relationship with your body image. I offer a positive space for you to rewrite your relationship with your body through BBD therapy in my Hampshire clinic or online.
Call +44 7584 354041 or email me at info@drmcphee.co.uk to schedule a 15-minute complimentary session.
Understanding Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Body dysmorphic disorder can be a challenging experience, often stemming from childhood trauma, bullying, societal beauty standards or genetic factors. BDD is more common in adolescents, especially among women and females, due to constant exposure to “ideal” beauty standards.
Here are some common causes of BDD
Someone with a close family member, parents or siblings, suffering from BDD or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is more likely to develop this mental health condition. While genetics might be a contributing factor, it’s not the primary cause for negative body-image issues.
I encourage you to contact me, and together, with my compassionate therapy for body dysmorphic disorder, you will feel empowered to rebuild your relationship with your body.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that directly impacts your mood, sleep, anxiety, obsessive thoughts and appetite. Those obsessed and constantly preoccupied with their appearance and flaws often have lower levels of serotonin.
People suffering from BDD often show differences in sections of the brain such as those related to the visual processing areas, habit formation and reward processing areas, as compared to those who don’t have this mental health condition.
My therapy for BDD helps you find refuge for your psychological and physical distress.
Suffering from unrealistic perfectionism is another common reason behind developing body dysmorphic disorder. You may be overly critical about the most minute flaws or imperfections. Negative self-image is also common in those who suffer from low self-esteem, as someone who constantly feels inadequate will obsess over the smallest perceived fault.
Those with body-image issues often have obsessive thoughts about their physical appearance and exhibit repetitive behaviours, such as looking in the mirror or getting cosmetic or surgical procedures done.
I will help you feel confident and comfortable in your own skin and help you embrace your flaws and imperfections.
A child or teenager who has been bullied or criticised about physical appearance, such as acne, weight issues or facial features, is more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and BDD. Children who suffer from abuse and neglect often develop low self-worth.
Bereavement, like divorce or breakup, can also make you overtly critical. Social media’s negative influence leads to body dissatisfaction and inadequacy, especially when you compare yourself to celebrities, influencers and peers. Image-based validation can negatively impact your mental health, leading to a false sense of belief that idealised beauty standards are key to success.
I’m here to guide you and help you find your way back to yourself, regain confidence and reclaim your health.
Symptoms of BDD
Psychologically, if you suffer from body-image issues, you may be self-critical and suffer from anxiety, depression and eating disorders.
Physically, those suffering from muscle dysmorphia, a subset of BDD, where you have negative connotations about your physical build and gait or a particular body part like arms or legs, often suffer from substance abuse.
Behaviourally, if you suffer from BDD, you may either be constantly checking the mirror and taking pictures to ensure everything looks perfect. Conversely, some people might avoid their reflection and even photos, fearing they look flawed.
Socially, you might avoid gatherings, spend time and money on makeup or unnecessary cosmetic procedures. You might be constantly comparing yourself to your peers, believe people are mocking or judging you based on appearance and seek validation.
If you’re struggling with a poor body image issue, remember, I am here to help you break free from these negative emotions. Through my bespoke therapy for body dysmorphic disorder, I can help to find solace and process the psychological impact of a negative body image issue.
Challenges Addressed in BDD Therapy
BDD therapy is designed to help you untangle the painful thoughts and emotions driving your negative body image. Here are some of the common challenges I help clients with:
You may spend hours checking your reflection, taking selfies, or avoiding mirrors completely. Therapy helps reduce these compulsive behaviours and gives you freedom from the endless self-scrutiny.
If you compare your appearance to others and always feel “less than,” therapy can help you shift focus from perceived flaws to building genuine self-worth.
Many people with BDD set impossible beauty standards for themselves. Therapy works to heal these harsh beliefs and nurture self-acceptance.
It’s common for people with BDD to avoid events, photos, or dating due to fear of being judged. Therapy can help you reconnect with life, relationships, and confidence.
BDD can make you feel that you’ll never be “enough” unless you fix a perceived defect. Therapy helps you understand and break these patterns by focusing on inner healing rather than external changes.
BDD is often linked with other mental health challenges. I help you learn tools for emotional regulation and building resilience.
Treatments for BDD
The purpose of seeking treatment through therapy for body dysmorphia is to help you talk about the issues you are facing, while revisiting past experiences and taking steps towards positive change.
I’m a Chartered Clinical Psychologist with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and hold an advanced certificate in Schema therapy. During my fifteen years of experience, I’ve offered a research-backed, compassionate, and tailored approach for people struggling with body dysmorphia.
My therapy approach blends the best of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), compassion-focused therapy (CFT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) and schema therapy techniques, with each session personalised to fit your needs.
In my BDD therapy, I can help identify the triggers and guide you in finding positive solutions that allow you to appreciate yourself, feel confident and promote self-love. I’ll equip you with tools to help you stay focused and more in control of your emotions. With my therapy for body dysmorphia, you will feel more positive, calm and self-assured.
Let’s look at these therapies in more detail:
Schema therapy will help us to uncover and address beliefs that could be leading to you developing a negative body image. Once we identify these patterns (usually formed earlier in your life), we can work towards changing them and encouraging you to view yoursel in a more positive light.
Using CBT, we will address distorted thoughts and challenge them. We’ll work to replace negative, intrusive thoughts with more positive, realistic ones that promote a better wellbeing.
EMDR can be really effective if your body image issues have come from traumatic events like bullying, abuse, or rejection. By reprocessing these memories, EMDR will help reduce the hold they have over you.
Mindfulness practices, such as grounding and breathwork, can reduce the anxiety that comes with BDD. These techniques help you in observing your intrusive thoughts without judgement.
My BDD Therapy Process
Why Choose Dr McPhee for BDD Therapy?
When you decide to reclaim your life and join me for body dysmorphic disorder therapy, you might find it challenging. You don’t need to walk on this path alone, and I can guide you on this journey.
I’ll work alongside you to help you move away from the negativity towards optimism. My tools will help you break away from self-criticism and low self-esteem that’s holding you back from enjoying your life and achieving happiness and greatness.
My BDD therapy is a mix of CBT, mindfulness, schema therapy and compassion-focused therapy. Choose between in-person sessions at my Hampshire clinic or online sessions.
Contact me at info@drmcphee.co.uk, or call me on +44 7584 354041 to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation.
If you spend significant time worrying about your appearance, checking mirrors, comparing yourself to others, or avoiding situations where you feel judged, you may have BDD. A mental health professional can help with assessment and diagnosis.
There’s no “quick fix,” but therapy can create lasting changes by addressing the root causes of BDD and helping you build a healthier self-image. Many clients experience significant improvement within months.
lf you are considering medication, it’s important to consult with your GP or a psychiatrist to discuss the best options for you. While therapy alone can be highly effective, for some people a combination of therapy and medication prescribed by a medical professional offers the most benefit. Therefore, consult with your psychiatrist or GP about how medication can be helpful.
Yes, online therapy is just as effective as in-person sessions. It provides the same tools and techniques, and you can work on your body image challenges from a comfortable and private space.
This varies. Some clients see meaningful change in 12–16 sessions, while others benefit from longer-term therapy especially if there are deep-rooted issues like trauma or perfectionism.
Please schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation to explore how we might work together.