Positive Body Image Program
What is Body Image?
Body image encompasses our thoughts and feelings about our appearance. Those who have negative body image tend to think and feel negatively toward their body. Consequently, they tend to treat their bodies in ways that follow these negative thoughts and feelings. Positive body image, however, is more than simply having positive thoughts and feelings about how we look. It also includes appreciating the ways in which our bodies function, challenging beauty standards, having compassion for bodily differences, and our resilience in the face of body image threats.
Who is this Program Suited for?
This program is designed for insightful and introspective adults (all genders; 25 years or older) who want to move toward positive body image and are able to commit to homework and assignments between sessions. This program is suited to people who are in recovery from an eating disorder and are able to maintain their recovery-oriented behaviours (e.g., regular eating and abstaining from maladaptive behaviours). If it is someone’s focus to change their body (e.g., lose weight, cosmetic surgery), then this program may not be well suited to them. This program is oriented toward changing mindset over body. This program is not appropriate for those with active disordered eating/eating disorder symptoms including chronic dieting, self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative abuse, etc.
What will the Program include?
This group-based program will include psycho-education, skills development, between-session assignments, and support. Each session will include a lecture component, a review of between-session assignments, group conversation, and establishing objectives for the coming week.
This program is based on content from Wood-Barcalow et al.’s Positive Body Image Workbook. The program will include content modules on appearance ideals, body acceptance (by self and other), body image flexibility, self-compassion, and approaching the body. Additional modules will be added to the program based on the unique needs of the group.
This group will be capped at 10 participants in order to allow appropriate recognition of each individual member of the program.
Payment
The fee for this 8-week program is $600. Please note that this is a discounted rate (as it is the first time this program is being offered). All fees must be paid prior to beginning the Positive Body Image (PBI) program. Payment can be made via credit card, e-transfer, debit, or cash. The full cost of the program must be received before your spot is reserved in the program. The cost of this program is not covered by MSI. Some private insurance and/or governmental agencies may cover the cost of this program, but you are responsible for contacting third-party agencies to determine if this service is covered.
Cancellation and Refund for PBI Program
Refunds will be available provided you give 7 days’ notice of withdrawal prior to the program’s start date. The refund will be for the total amount paid, minus a $50 administration fee. If less than 7 days’ notice of withdrawal is provided before the start of the program, a refund will not be available. You may, however, use the fee (minus a $50 administration fee) toward a future
iteration of the program. Once the program has commenced, no refunds will be provided and missed or unattended sessions will not be refunded.
If a late cancellation by the practice is required due to weather-related events, the weekly sessions will be extended (i.e., we will meet on November 4 to make-up the missed session).
When and Where will the Program Run?
This program will run once-weekly on Tuesdays from September 9 until October 28 for a total of 8 weeks. The timing of each session will be 6:30pm until 8:00pm. It will be held in our group room at our Bedford office.
Who is Running this Program?
This group is being run by clinical psychologist, Dr. Emily Orr. Dr. Orr has over 14 years’ experience working with individuals with eating disorders. Through her work with people with eating disorders, Dr. Orr has recognized how frequently body image is left untreated in standard eating disorder treatment. Given that negative body image can be a great relapse risk, Dr. Orr started to investigate evidence-based approaches to developing positive body image. After attending a webinar by Dr. Nichole Wood-Barcalow in October 2024, Dr. Orr was inspired to develop a group program based on Dr. Wood-Barcalow’s work. Dr. Orr is excited to offer this group to not only those in recovery from their eating disorder, but to those with body image issues originating from any source (e.g., body dysmorphia, muscle dysmorphia, aging/retirement, medical complications, pregnancy, etc.).
How do I join?
If you are interested in participating in this program, please contact us so that you may be scheduled for a screening consultation with Dr. Emily Orr
Body image encompasses our thoughts and feelings about our appearance. Those who have negative body image tend to think and feel negatively toward their body. Consequently, they tend to treat their bodies in ways that follow these negative thoughts and feelings. Positive body image, however, is more than simply having positive thoughts and feelings about how we look. It also includes appreciating the ways in which our bodies function, challenging beauty standards, having compassion for bodily differences, and our resilience in the face of body image threats.
Who is this Program Suited for?
This program is designed for insightful and introspective adults (all genders; 25 years or older) who want to move toward positive body image and are able to commit to homework and assignments between sessions. This program is suited to people who are in recovery from an eating disorder and are able to maintain their recovery-oriented behaviours (e.g., regular eating and abstaining from maladaptive behaviours). If it is someone’s focus to change their body (e.g., lose weight, cosmetic surgery), then this program may not be well suited to them. This program is oriented toward changing mindset over body. This program is not appropriate for those with active disordered eating/eating disorder symptoms including chronic dieting, self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative abuse, etc.
What will the Program include?
This group-based program will include psycho-education, skills development, between-session assignments, and support. Each session will include a lecture component, a review of between-session assignments, group conversation, and establishing objectives for the coming week.
This program is based on content from Wood-Barcalow et al.’s Positive Body Image Workbook. The program will include content modules on appearance ideals, body acceptance (by self and other), body image flexibility, self-compassion, and approaching the body. Additional modules will be added to the program based on the unique needs of the group.
This group will be capped at 10 participants in order to allow appropriate recognition of each individual member of the program.
Payment
The fee for this 8-week program is $600. Please note that this is a discounted rate (as it is the first time this program is being offered). All fees must be paid prior to beginning the Positive Body Image (PBI) program. Payment can be made via credit card, e-transfer, debit, or cash. The full cost of the program must be received before your spot is reserved in the program. The cost of this program is not covered by MSI. Some private insurance and/or governmental agencies may cover the cost of this program, but you are responsible for contacting third-party agencies to determine if this service is covered.
Cancellation and Refund for PBI Program
Refunds will be available provided you give 7 days’ notice of withdrawal prior to the program’s start date. The refund will be for the total amount paid, minus a $50 administration fee. If less than 7 days’ notice of withdrawal is provided before the start of the program, a refund will not be available. You may, however, use the fee (minus a $50 administration fee) toward a future
iteration of the program. Once the program has commenced, no refunds will be provided and missed or unattended sessions will not be refunded.
If a late cancellation by the practice is required due to weather-related events, the weekly sessions will be extended (i.e., we will meet on November 4 to make-up the missed session).
When and Where will the Program Run?
This program will run once-weekly on Tuesdays from September 9 until October 28 for a total of 8 weeks. The timing of each session will be 6:30pm until 8:00pm. It will be held in our group room at our Bedford office.
Who is Running this Program?
This group is being run by clinical psychologist, Dr. Emily Orr. Dr. Orr has over 14 years’ experience working with individuals with eating disorders. Through her work with people with eating disorders, Dr. Orr has recognized how frequently body image is left untreated in standard eating disorder treatment. Given that negative body image can be a great relapse risk, Dr. Orr started to investigate evidence-based approaches to developing positive body image. After attending a webinar by Dr. Nichole Wood-Barcalow in October 2024, Dr. Orr was inspired to develop a group program based on Dr. Wood-Barcalow’s work. Dr. Orr is excited to offer this group to not only those in recovery from their eating disorder, but to those with body image issues originating from any source (e.g., body dysmorphia, muscle dysmorphia, aging/retirement, medical complications, pregnancy, etc.).
How do I join?
If you are interested in participating in this program, please contact us so that you may be scheduled for a screening consultation with Dr. Emily Orr