There’s a common refrain among those struggling with disordered eating and body image distress: “If I could just lose a few pounds, I’d finally feel confident.”

It’s a thought that often feels so true, it can be hard to challenge. The idea of being thinner can seem like the key to control, peace, and self-assurance. But in reality, this pursuit often leads to more anxiety, more food obsession, and more distance from the kind of life someone actually wants to live.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) offers a powerful framework for working with rigid thoughts and body image distress—especially when someone feels caught in the fantasy of weight loss.

First, let’s validate the fantasy. For someone who’s struggled with disordered eating–or who has experienced anorexia–it’s........

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