Counselors- Chicago metro area

I haven't had WLS yet, and I'm exploring my options and trying to talk to as many people as I can to get insights as to what has made them successful on their path to health.  I'm going in a few weeks to a seminar at a hospital downtown to learn more about the options and expectations of WLS and am reading a couple of books suggested off the main board currently.

I've had a lot of people that have said to me that they wished they had dealt with their 'head hunger' or 'finding out why they eat' before having surgery.  I thought that it might be something that I would want to explore as well. 

The trouble is that I've looked around to try to find counselors that specialize in over eating and I've contacted a few that say 'eating disorders' but they don't work with patients that are over eating, mostly anorexia/bulemia.

I was looking for a reccomendation in the area, and I understand if you wouldn't want to reccomend it in a public forum, but if you have seen someone that's really worked with you, if you could suggest them even via PM I'd be interested.

Thanks.

Hi! I'm working my way through the WLS process at Northwestern. As part of that, I just finished up a consultation with one of the five (maybe six) health psychologists off NMH's approved list: Greg Petersen of the Wellness Institute. You might want to book with him just for a consulation about your eating concerns, and ask if you can make it also count toward the WLS psych eval, if you should decide to continue toward surgery.

I found a fabulous book that's walking me through the journaling about my eating issues (I compulsively overeat): It Ain't Over til the Thin Lady Sings. Very good. Another great author on this is Geneen Roth.

My experience is that other than Greg, my own psychotherapist and psychiatrist of many years are VERY unacquainted with WLS and kind of give it the hairy eyeball. So, you really do want to find a psychologist who deeply understands WLS and can help you decide if it's right for you, and how to address eating issues --- whether or not you decide to go with WLS.

I'm spending a lot of my insurance-required six-month program prior to WLS to get a grip on my overeating. I'm actually VERY thankful to have to take this time, and not rush into surgery.

Hope to see you 'round.

 Thanks so much for your suggestion. I'm going to the seminar at Northwestern later this month myself. i'll definately check out the book you suggested, I just ordered several on wls from the library and also look into Greg Peterson.

I'd recommend Greg for a consult or two, to get the ball rolling and to help frame your thinking about WLS (and to serve as the psych eval),  but you might want to shop around a psychotherapist *****ally suits your style/personality if you decide on on-going, long-term counseling.

Hi, Beth. If you are going through a hospital's program, they probably will assign you one of their shrinks, so you may want to contact them and get a recommendation so you can have a smooth continuum of psych care.

On the other hand, if you do not want someone in the back pocket of a particular surgical practice, you may want to find your own therapist. (I was very disappointed in the therapists associated with the Northwestern RNY factory when I was considering a RNY so I found an outside one who helped me explore my feelings and all of the available surgical options out there.)

I have encountered two independent therapists *****ally "get it" with regard to weight loss, weight loss surgery, etc. Both therapists are smart, experienced and good at listening and guiding.

1) Therapist: Jenny Conviser
She's the one who told me about the DS in the first place, after hearing me talk about how scared I was about dumping and taking NSAIDs after a RNY. She has a downtown and Skokie office. I stopped seeing her because our schedules did not sync up, as I have young kids, but she was great.

www.insightillinois.com/

2) Therapist: Kristina Pecora Kelly
My current therapist. Her office is in the Tribune Tower building on Michigan Avenue. She has flexible hours.

www.chicagocbm.com/clinic/directors/

Dr. Kelly is a new addition to CBM, working in the group practice since August 2008. As a postdoctoral fellow, she currently works with clients dealing with depression, anxiety, and weight loss issues. A recent graduate of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Dr. Kelly’s background is in clinical health psychology, working with clients to support their emotional health while they deal with physical issues such as diabetes, chronic pain, and stroke. Her research interests include effectiveness of weight loss programs for youth, and eating disorders related to obesity/overweight. She has published three articles on the treatment of obesity and co-authored 9 presentations at professional international conferences on this topic.

Hope this helps!

Nicolle

Say, thanks for posting these names. I'm looking for a tdoc who "gets it" re WLS but is independent from any WLS program, even though I'm on the path at NMH.