Our relationship to our physical body - body image, attunement to or suppression of bodily cues/needs, care for versus control of our physical body - is a complex topic that can evoke strong feelings of shame, fear, anger, and/or despair for many people. The way we feel toward and treat our bodies is shaped by cultural, familial, and other environmental contexts which have exclaimed and perpetuated messages about connections between what bodies look like and the worthiness of those bodies to be met with dignity, admiration, and respect. For those who have experienced trauma, there can be additional complex feelings of disgust, anger, or fear about the feelings that live in the body.

When we learn that parts of the external image of our body may be met with judgment, criticism, admonishment, unwanted attention, or disgust, we may quickly internalize all of these feelings toward our own bodies and attempt to establish a sense of safety through controlling, hiding, or disconnecting from our physical bodies. If you feel at war with and/or disconnected from your physical body, you are invited to enter a safe space to explore your emotions, experiences and behaviors around this topic.

This group is led from a trauma-informed approach which emphasizes exploration of how and why our minds attempt to establish safety through efforts to control the body.

Objectives of this group include:

• Establish relational trust and safety to talk about uncomfortable feelings associated with body image and connection to the body
• Explore experiential practices aimed at increasing safety around connecting to (feeling) feelings in the body
• Develop resources to help repair a safe and dignified sense of connection to your body
• Experience connection, understanding and support from others who are also navigating struggles with embodiment.

This group is co-facilitated by trauma therapist Lauren Mokarry, LPC and registered dietician nutritionist Samantha Jerome.