Where do you find a great therapist?
To get the name of qualified therapists, you may want to ask your family doctor, community health center, insurance company, clergy, or family and friends.
It’s important to find a therapist you can trust to guide you through the emotional issues surrounding your weight. You may have a consultation session with two or three therapists before choosing someone to work with. Most therapists will charge for a consultation, but it is money well spent to be sure you find a good fit.
In an initial consultation, you will want to ask enough questions to get a sense of how the therapist works and how comfortable you are talking with him/her. You should clarify their training, experience in working with people that have similar issues, and how they generally work. Look for a person who is warm and accepting, willing to challenge you when needed, is respectful, is easy to talk to, shares your basic moral values and maintains clear and healthy boundaries.
You’ve taken a big step to improve your health and well-being with bariatric surgery. Make sure you have the skills and have worked through emotional issues to help you stay on track with your healthy lifestyle when life gets tough.
