Liz Ritchie advises parliament on body image

We’re proud to announce that evidence given by Liz Ritchie, a Self-Care Body Image Therapist at St Andrew’s Healthcare, has been published in a new report by the Parliamentary Youth Select Committee (YSC).

The report, entitled ‘A Body Confident Future’ was published on 15 November, and details the impact body image has on the wellbeing of children and young people. The publication is now with the Government for comment.

As part of the evidence process, Liz was invited to attend Westminster on to share her evidence with the YSC’s 11 members. She was also invited to Portcullis House for the report’s launch on Wednesday.

“I felt very privileged to do this as it is a subject very close to my heart, and one which I have consistently addressed,” Liz explained. “I was initially struck by the formality of the session back in July, and the dedication, professionalism and passion of the YSC - which comprised of 16 to 18-year-old students from all parts of the UK who were present to ensure a full examination on the topic of body image.”

Liz’s evidence drew on her 27 years’ experience at St Andrew’s Healthcare, where she delivers a rolling programme of education targeting patient’s life skills, grooming, self-care, self-esteem and negative body image. As an integrative Psychotherapist, Liz works within a cognitive behavioural framework, in order to enable patients to engage in meaningful dialogue regarding body image, gender, identity, dignity and self-worth. Liz’s evidence urged the Youth Select Committee to recognise the prevalence of Body Image dysfunction and how its presence impacts on society, socially, culturally and politically.

To read the ‘A Body Confident Future’ report in full, please click here to visit the British Youth Council website.