Finding a mental health professional

If you've sought mental healthcare in conjunction with your WLS, what did you look for?  Was there a specific type of therapy that you were interested in?  Did you look for someone who specialized in eating disorders?  Did you choose a Psychologist, Psychiatrist, or a Master Clinician?  

Any advice for me?  I've got a list of numbers to start calling tomorrow now that I've verified the mental health benefits my insurance offers.  I've seen therapists before, but my success with them has been pretty hit or miss.  I'm certainly willing to try out a few to find one I click with this time!

I was working with a psychologist. She suggested that I start reading some cognitive behavioral therapy books. There are two that I have read and worked through them. One was Feeling Good by David Burns, MD. The other is by Judith Beck titled The Beck Diet Solution. Both books help with retraining how you think about yourself. The second works with how you make decisions around food. I liked them both, they have great tools in them.

My therapist is a fan of the Beck book, too!

If what you want is psychotherapy, you probably want a psychologist, licensed independent social worker or licensed professional counselor.  Psychiatrists usually don't do counseling.  They usually just prescribe meds.

I've been in therapy before but not for anything related to me weight or WLS. 

If you think you have an eating disorder, then I'd find someone that specializing in eating disorders.  Of course, not all people that need WLS have eating disorders.  If you think you are addicted to food, then I'd look for someone with experience treating addiction.  Of course, not all people that need WLS are food addicts, either.

If you want someone that can help you learn new coping skills, help with stuff like self-esteem and body image, help you understand why you make the choices you make, stuff like that, any good therapist should be able to do that.

Thanks!  At this point, I'm not really sure what I'm looking for.  I don't think that I'm addicted to food, but I also know that I might be wrong.  But hopefully a good therapist can help figure that out even if I can't!

Yeah, they should be able to.

I remember reading about a study some time back that found it didn't really matter too much what kind of counselor someone say, whether it was a psychologist or LISW or what, the most important factor was the relationship between the counselor and the client.  If you find someone you like, trust feel comfortable with, you'll probably get good results.  Remember it's OK to meet with a few different therapists if you need to in order to find the right one for you.  When I've looked for a counselor in the past, I would go in with a list of questions and interview them.

I am a clinical psychotherapist, and was going to recommend you contact your insurance company, which you have already done.

I would suggest either an eating disorders specialist or a cognitive behavioral therapist. When you call, ask questions re: their training, experience and level of expertise, and ask them if they have worked with weight loss surgery clients. Also I agree with you checking them out in person, and if the connection isn't there, move on to someone else. The relationship is so important, as you have discovered. You need to be able to trust whomever you are working with.

Psychiatrists these days primarily do only medications for insurance and payment reasons. If you want to see one for therapy, you may have to pay out of pocket.

It doesn't much matter whether you see a social worker or a psychologist or a licensed Masters level counselor- the level of expertise and experience, plus the personal connection are what matters.

Be an advocate for yourself! Good luck with your search.

Thank you!  I appreciate the advice (and the affirmation that I'm on the right track so far).  Thankfully my insurance covers mental health and all I've got is a $25 co-pay, which is pretty spiffy.  

I appreciate the questions, I'll definitely ask those when I call tomorrow.  

I'm also a bit nervous since my last attempt at therapy did not do well since the therapist was super judgmental of my lifestyle. So I need to ask some pointed questions about that on the phone probably too.  

Definitely lots of question are in order- you might want to write a list of them down to remind you of what you want to ask before getting on the phone or talking with anyone.

Someone judgmental is definitely not what you are looking for! You need someone with excellent listening skills, and who helps you find your own direction, rather than telling you what to do. It is their job to provide a safe space for you to work in.

Again, good luck! If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me.

I found my psychologist through my surgeon. He gave me a list of 10 psychologists in the metro Atlanta area. i checked with my insurance and 4 were on my plan. I actually saw 3 of them and settled on the last one I saw. We've been working together since October. I wanted to get going way in advance of my surgery so we'd already have our relationship established.  She is very sympathetic toward WLS and she recently lost over 80 pounds herself (not sure how she did it, I didn't ask.)  If you don't already have a surgeon, perhaps you could as your PCP for some recommendations.