Body Image and Gay Men: Adaptation of Emotionally-Focused Family Therapy for Gay Clients with Negative Body Image

Gay men report higher levels of body dissatisfaction and negative body image than heterosexual men. These trends are closely linked to cultural pressures, sexual identity development, family relationships, and attachment style. However, despite this link, few therapeutic resources exist that address the unique stressors of gay men struggling with body image and body image-related factors as well as family influence on these stressors. This article outlines an adaptation of Emotionally-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) for therapists working with gay clients struggling with body image. We address the restructuring of negative interaction cycles related to parental rejection and body image and demonstrate how an enactment intervention can be utilized as a tool for healing.