Author: Alli

How More Social Media Can Reduce Body Dissatisfaction

Posted by Alli in Blog

We know that social media use can negatively impact its users—for example, tanking their body image and fueling appearance comparisons. Nonetheless, these platforms are here to stay. So, we need doable antidotes to common problems that social media causes or magnifies. Luckily, a recent study provides simple, legitimate help. “Can following body-positive or appearance-neutral Facebook pages improve young women’s…Read more »

The New Year’s Goal You Needed

Posted by Alli in Blog

Each January, my favorite hiking trail gets flooded with people fulfilling their New Year’s resolutions to get fit. And shortly after, the crowds disappear. Every year this happens—partly because sudden lifestyle and behavioral changes are hard to maintain, especially if there aren’t immediate rewards. But I think it’s more likely because, as humans, we tend to miss the deeper, more hidden…Read more »

Is Social Media Mental Health Keeping People Sick?

Posted by Alli in Blog

When a person shares their mental struggles on social media–and I notice their followers grow in exponential jumps–my belly tightens. And before anyone reading this gets offended, yes, I agree: There are many positives to publicly sharing first-person mental health stories. For instance, let’s revisit the pandemic. During Covid, issues like anxiety, depression, and eating disorders skyrocketed. Content…Read more »

2 Self-Checks That May Improve Your Mental Health

Posted by Alli in Blog

People often believe they have mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, borderline, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). But the real culprit can be their food. After 15+ years as an eating and body image specialist therapist, I’ve met many people whose symptoms (hyper-irritability, sadness, anger, mood swings, etc.) greatly improved or even disappeared once they found their best ways to nourish…Read more »

TV Therapy: Separating Fact From Fiction

Posted by Alli in Blog

If therapists seen on TV and in movies represented most real-life therapists, I’d never have become one! Granted, there are a few semi-realistic or positive portrayals on screen. But with so many inaccurate representations, how’s the public supposed to know the difference between normal and abnormal? (Click for full article)

Why So Many People Lie to Their Therapists

Posted by Alli in Blog

Humans are beautifully messy and complicated. Even when paying for their help, we don’t always share complete details with a therapist. Sometimes that’s intentional, and sometimes it comes from subconscious motives. As a longtime eating and body-image specialist, I’ve repeatedly had the privilege of listening to people talk about their reasons for not being truthful or open about eating…Read more »

The Impossible Battle: Kids and Porn

Posted by Alli in Blog

Last week, I had an interview scheduled with essayist Rebecca Morrison. We planned to discuss body image for an article she’s writing, so I did what I do: I searched the web for her previous work. The following title, published in Salon, popped onto my screen: “Why I Started Watching Porn When I Turned 50.” Huh? The subtitle…Read more »

Setting Boundaries: Self-Care or Selfish?

Posted by Alli in Blog

The person receiving your boundary may feel disappointed, sad, or even mad. However, their response doesn’t mean that what you said or did was wrong or selfish. Setting boundaries is often an act of care. What are boundaries? Why are they vital? Boundaries are limits that typically protect something. They may protect others, such as giving a…Read more »

Do You Diet to Feel More Confident?

Posted by Alli in Blog

If you “watch what you eat,” why do you do it? If you answered anything related to boosting your confidence (about looks or health), then this news could affect you. Recent research that includes data from more than 6000 participants spanning eight countries confirms: “Higher levels of restrained and emotional eating were generally associated with lower body satisfaction and self-esteem.” Whereas, “higher…Read more »

Can I Change My Partner?

Posted by Alli in Uncategorized

In my office and outside of my work as a therapist, I notice that people often wish their significant others would change. They even take on ownership of the result; for example, they believe their partner didn’t change because they didn’t communicate well enough or didn’t stay persistent enough. Further adding to their frustration, we…Read more »