Do you go? If so does it help you? why/ why not? If you do go how important is it to you? Does it help you stay on plan or in maintenance? 

I ask because I just started going and even tho it is still new to me. I am seeing that it is helping me alot. I have some bad baggage from childhood and getting it out is helping. that baggage is one of the reasons I ate so much I hide in my food addiction. 

I see therapy as another tool that I can use in this journey.

I have been in counseling for a while and I can't imagine how I survived the depression etc before starting. I am only 5wks post op but I always keep my counselor informed on how I am progressing (or not). He doesn't push weight topics, but definitely helps hold me accountable in how I use food (ie to cope, to punish or for nourishment) and how hard I push myself at the gym. I think it is a priceless addition to the toolbox of WLS

I started going to a wls counselor around a year post op and went for several months. At this point I am not going anymore--I seem to be doing better with my food issues but know I can go back anytime I need to. I also can email her if I have a question or am wondering about something. I really felt it helped me to go to 1:1 counseling.

I actually haven't been in a little while.  To try to make a long complicated story short and not horribly boring, the therapist I'd seen for many years and really liked retired.  I had some trouble finding a new one, found one and learned after six weeks or so that she was an idiot, so had to find a new one.  I found a new one and I saw her a few times and I liked her OK.  Cost was an issue though, still is at the moment.  I have Medicare which pays 60% of mental health fees but I have to pay the remaining 40% which worked out to be about $40.  I can't really afford that on a weekly basis at the moment.

I am a big believer in therapy, though.  I think most people in the world could probably benefit from some therapy, but I think it's especially helpful when we are going through a huge change like having WLS.  I think the head stuff is probably the hardest part of this journey and I think if we don't do the head work, our chances of success are not that great.  I'm not saying I think everyone has to go to therapy to do the head work.  I just think it would help most people.

So I'm kind of taking a break from therapy right now but I will go back sometime, probably not that far away.

I still see my therapist. I see her 1:1 and she does a small group therapy with other post op patients, that I'm also involved in. It took me a long time to finally seek out a therapist. It has helped me in more ways then I can say.I feel it is one of the best things I have done for myself. I plan on continuing as long as I need to. I agree, I consider it another tool to use on this journey. I also consider my personnel trainer as another tool. It is expensive, I have to free pay my therapist but for me it is worth it. I could have my insurance pay for it, but I have to go thur who they recommend and I tried that, and not all therapist are good. I have heard some horror stories from people on another site I was on. So I am very lucky to have found one I like and trust.

I started therapy a few months before surgery and I'm still going. I find it extremely helpful and I will be continuing for some time. She helps me stay on track, helps me build strategies for success, and helps me stay reflective and learn from the challenges I have with emotional eating.

I am also starting a mindfulness based eating awareness and training program (12 weeks, group, psychologist led) in a month or so.

Yup, yup, I'm a strong supporter of good therapy, being both a therapist myself, and being in personal therapy. It does my head a world of good, and has made me more comfortable with myself and my own history of serious abuse and family of origin issues. I have a good time living in my shoes these days.

I do suggest checking out several therapists until you find one you feel is effective working with you. One specializing in eating disorders is also helpful.