Identity Exploration
Identity exploration involves how we view ourselves and others within the context of our world. Identity exploration requires examining and understanding discrepancies between the "real self" and the "ideal self." Specific areas of work within this topic can be contemplating career changes, understanding one's own sexual and gender identity, adjusting to a new role in life, such as the "empty nest" phenomenon when your last child moves out of the house.
Personal Identity and Growth
Personal development is a lifelong process. It's a way for people to assess their skills and qualities, consider their aims in life and set goals in order to realize and maximize their potential. In the therapeutic stetting, personal growth may focus on exploring your identity, body image, phase of life, personal beliefs, career choices, or ever changing life goals.
Self Image
Image is a mental idea about your physical body and how you look. Body image is something that constantly changes as it is based more on feeling than fact. Because of this, Body Image is very vulnerable to distortion. Healthy body image means that you are comfortable with the body that you have. It does not mean that you think your body is perfect, just that you accept yourself as you are, and commit to loving and caring for the body and life you have. Healthy body image means having a relationship with your body that is based on what you feel, and not what you see.
