Your Weight AND Your Mental Health- Pills, Diets, Surgeries Won’t give you SKILLS
Losing weight is a mind game. The body follows mind-no ifs, ands, or buts! I have been a Mental Health professional since 1988 and specialize in helping people with obesity using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and related approaches. I don’t treat eating disorders; I treat people that struggle with obesity.
I see the impact that obesity has on people-Mind/Body/Spirit. The list is long, and maybe you can identify with some of these, if not many of them:
Physical Health and Mortality Issues (High Blood pressure, Diabetes, Cancer, Chronic Pain, mobility issues, Sleep Apnea, gastrointestinal problems, Inflammation everywhere, Type 3 DM- Alzheimer’s Disease?)
Depression and Anxiety
Yo-Yo Dieting, Diet pills, Surgery procedures
Social Isolation
Social Anxiety
Disordered Eating Behaviors
Poor self-esteem and confidence
Substance Abuse (alcohol, drugs, prescription medications)
Addictive Behaviors (excessive shopping, gambling, sexual addictions, binge eating)
Relationship issues
Sexuality Health (impacted by poor body image, medication side effects, social anxiety, health issues)
Occupational Impact and choices
Quality of Life (impacted by chronic disease, mobility issues, ability to do activities of daily living, as well as recreational activities, are limited)
Suicidality
Feeling spiritually defeated
Mental Health professionals use many different therapeutic strategies to help people struggling with obesity. While I work with clients one-on-one in Maryland, where I am licensed, I have found it more beneficial to work with clients in groups using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) methods and resources. Why groups? Because you realize that you are not alone and you can support each other through the process of making mind and body changes as you practice what you learn in the CBT group. Have you ever heard that it takes one to know one? I believe that is 100% true!
I teach effective and powerful CBT group programs over ZOOM, which empower clients to harness the mind to achieve their end goals. Some of my FAVORITE CBT groups for weight loss that I have been doing for many years are:
11 Weeks to Self Esteem, The Beck Diet Solution, and Food Addiction. The latter 2 groups I do with a Dietician. Clients love our engaging, no-judgment zone, confidential online groups.
Remember-YOU ARE NOT ALONE! You just need to learn WHAT to effectively do about it, and we believe you can.
Stay tuned for the next post on HOW the 11 Weeks to Self Esteem program is spot on for helping people with obesity issues-Surgery or not. Check out Kristen’s YouTube video about her experience doing the 11 Weeks to Self Esteem Program. https://youtu.be/xYuCz4QxXs0
