Reclaiming your life beyond BDD with Chris Trondsen, LMFT

No matter where you are in your recovery journey, an important step is being motivated for change, reclaiming your identity beyond your appearance, and rebuilding a life based on values, goals, and hope. In this interactive presentation, I will highlight ways to move forward and next steps to take beyond this conference. I’ll discuss harnessing the motivation gained from the day’s events, staying consistent with therapy, building identity, fostering community and healing from years of the disorder. As people begin to improve with treatment, re-engaging in life can be challenging. This presentation will address and explore ways to fill your life with passionate activities, including a career, dating, school, and independence, as well as continuing to engage with the BDD community even after this event concludes. The session would build on the themes explored earlier in the day, encouraging you to think about what your next step in recovery might look like. We are ending the day on a hopeful and empowering note that provides hope, motivation, and encouragement, while emphasizing that recovery isn’t about comparing your journey with anyone else’s, but about taking your own courageous next steps.

Speaker Bio:

Chris Trondsen: Chris endured severe BDD starting as a young child. Chris suffered from years of misdiagnosis & ineffective treatment until receiving specialized care in his early 20s. After years of effective therapy, Chris is no longer under the control of the disorder. He has come full circle and is now a licensed clinician treating BDD at a treatment center near Los Angeles, California. Chris is a passionate advocate for BDD and mental health and has shared his story of BDD recovery on Vox, Vice, BuzzFeed, NBC, and the “Your Anxiety Toolkit” and “The OCD Stories” podcasts. He has been a featured expert on BDD in The New York Times, SiriusXM Doctor Radio, and other notable media outlets. He has presented on the topic at the IOCDF annual conferences’ BDD track, the BDD Foundation conference in the UK, the Online BDD Conference, and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) conference. He’s also on the Board of Directors of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), Vice President of OCD SoCal, and a leader of the IOCDF’s BDD Special Interest Groups. His passion is providing resources, education, and hope to the BDD community!