I agree with scaredandconfused. A full length body picture is necessary. Men are VERY FUNNY about weight on a woman and you will immediately weed out those by putting a body picture on your profile. Your therapist is misguiding you by telling you to describe yourself as "average" on online dating profiles.

EDIT: So you must agree that your life circumstances aren't too positive if you're not discussing them until the first date. This also is a reason you may not hear again from people.

Put it all out there - before you meet. Then you know all is good before you meet them.