Conference rocks::weight_control

410.0. "Consulting Psychologists" by HOTAIR::SIMON (Hugs Welcome Anytime!) Fri Feb 24 1989 18:39

     In my "who are you" entry, I mentioned that I had seen a psychologist
    during periods of weight loss and that I find that more helpful
    than a diet program.  There's no note here on that subject so I
    have decided to create one.
    
    I have been a successful dieter in the past on certain programs
    but have always gained the weight back.  In 1986/1987, I started
    dieting while consulting with both a nutritionist and a psychologist.
    I lost 40 pounds over two months.  Eventually, I quit seeing both
    and gained the 40 back.
    
    Prior to moving from Massachusetts, I started seeing the psychologist
    again.  While I did not lose much, I got through the holidays without
    a gain.  I have started dieting again since moving here (New Mexico)
    a month ago and have lost a little bit.  I have to take my referral
    list and contact a psychologist.
    
    Anyway, the reason for this note is to let you know there are
    alternatives to diet 'plans' if you have trouble with them.  I am
    going to expound why I think a psychologist is the best for me and
    might be something for you to consider as well:
    
    I.  There are Behavior Modification Psychologists.  These people
        specialize in modifying behavior problems and that is often
        what causes weight problems.
    
    II.  You can see them as often as you want.  When I diet well, once
         a month or less is alright but if I am having problems, I can
         schedule more frequent visits (By the way, John Hancock insurance
         visits to a psychologist)
    
    III. A psychologist makes you look at what motivates the problems
         you have dieting and what you can do to eliminate the problems.
    
     IV. You get an hour to talk about yourself!  If I am having trouble
         dieting (or with anything), I want to talk it out.  It is great
         to be the center of attention for an hour.
    
     V.  A psychologist doesn't chastise.  I had a really great rapport
         with my psychologist (selection is important).  I found that
         when I had a bad week, we got down to the whys of what happened
         with no criticism.  To be fair, I found some programs were
         critical of a bad week and some would encourage me on to a
         better week next time.
    
    I could go on, but I think that covers it.  Has anyone else gone
    this route?  With what kind of luck?
    
    Denise Simon
    

    Denise,
    
    I could not agree with your methods more. Treating the psychological
    cause of overweight as well as the symptom of the problem, the fat
    itself is a sound principal. I was in therapy many years ago for
    other simple neurosis types of adolesent things and know now that
    this is the key to my sucessfully keeping off what I lose. The
    therapist at Optifast that I now have is a specialist in eating
    dissorders and she is just great. Although I am just in a group
    situation at the moment, we have talked ablut her becomming my personal
    and private therapist after concluding the program.
    
    My one word of caution is that selection of a therapist is critical.
    There are a lot of poor to mediocre psychologists (and  psychiatrists)
    out there so choose one as carefully as you would any ohter physician.
    GET REFERRALS !!!!!

>    There are a lot of poor to mediocre psychologists (and  psychiatrists)
>    out there 

    Too true!  A good counselor is invaluable; a bad one can do a lot of
    damage to your self esteem (based on both personal experience and
    observation).

    John Hancock does have a better psychiatric benefit than most HMO's,
    but it does have limitation (number of visits and total amount covered,
    I believe).   If you go this route, make sure you know in advance what
    it's going to cost you, so you can budget it.

    Beverly

John Hancock (or, more accurately, the Digital Medical Plan) covers an
unlimited number of mental health visits.  After your standard medical
deductible is satisfied, they cover 80% of your costs until they've contributed
$X, where X is something over 1000, and then cover the rest at 50%, until you 
reach your "out of pocket maximum" at which time they cover at 100%.

Jill, who just switched from an HMO

	RE .3

	JH will pay 80% of the first $2000 (after the deductible) and
	50% thereafter for the remander of the year.
	However, the expenses you incur for mental health DO NOT count
	toward your "max out of pocket". Don't know why that is but
	I been and am going thru it.

        Well, I've finally decided to try something new here.  Monday,
        I have an appointment with a hypnotherapist.  She comes highly
        recommended and in lieu of my topic 468 episode, I think I could
        use a little help.  I'll report on results.