Weight management can include weight loss. There can be many reasons why weight loss and managing a healthy weight can be difficult. Common factors include one’s relationship to food and exercise, occupational and relationship stress, time and situational constraints, medical and psychological issues, self-sabotaging behaviours, and poor body image. One or more of these factors can prevent an individual from reaching and/or sustaining their weight loss goals.

At Integrative Psychology we do a full assessment of the individual including historical factors that may be sabotaging present weight management success.  We are pro-active in encouraging a multi-disciplinary approach which can include dieticians, fitness trainers, and GPs.

In addition, to these services a therapist can help with psychological aspects such as:

• Successful goal setting
• Identifying and managing negative thoughts about self and body image
• Support in keeping a food, exercise and mood diary
• Support in maintaining healthy eating patterns
• Improving stress management skills
• Assistance in managing difficult relationships in your life
• Identifying and managing unhelpful and self-sabotaging thoughts and behaviours
• Development of strategies for social situations involving food
• Understanding the relationship between identity and body weight and shape
• Redefining a new sense of self

Counselling can also address more directly unhealthy eating behaviours including comfort eating, binge eating and roller coaster dieting. Please see our section on unhealthy eating patterns and eating disorders for more information.