Are you feeling the pull towards cosmetic surgery, fillers, or other body modifications? Is it because you have body dysmorphia or is it a healthy form of self-love? In this episode, Dr. Deborah takes a deep dive into the world of cosmetic surgery, accepting our “flaws” and how societal messages about beauty have permeated societies around the world throughout history. Explore her feelings about celebrity transformations and how cosmetic surgery can have both positive and negative effects. Explore movements like “body positivity” and the “free the nipple” campaign and how these help us to see ourselves without sexualizing beauty and appearance.

Dr. Deborah shares her own efforts to be “beautiful” and examines why being beautiful feels so important. She asks you to throw away concepts like vanity and “inside versus outside” beauty. She examines the pressure that many feel (in all genders identifications) to be attractive in a conventional and accepted sense versus embracing our own unique expression of beauty. Learn about how to achieve the “body neutral” approach to the mirror and to stop normalizing criticism around perceived imperfections of ourselves and others. Until we have a culture that values us for our personhood, we can only work on this within ourselves, and spread it along to others close to us: how to really see and celebrate our true beauty and be happier in our bodies.

Dr. Brown holds a BA in Secondary Education/English, an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and MPhil in Social & Behavioral Science and a PhD in Human Services with a Specialty in Public Health. She is a licensed Professional Counselor in the State of NJ. This podcast is not a replacement for psychotherapy. If you are someone you know is struggling with mental illness, please seek the help of professionals.

Episode 16 Trigger Warnings: Surgery, Body Dysmorphia, Self Harm