We strongly recommend working with a therapist or coach with advanced training in medical weight loss. These individuals are not only familiar with the physical, mental, and emotional journey you are about to undertake but they are also trained in screening for dysregulated eating patterns.
It’s not always easy to determine whether you need a coach or a therapist. If you have been diagnosed with any mental health issue or think you may have one but are not yet diagnosed, we recommend starting with a therapist. They may ultimately refer you to a coach, but it’s a good starting point!
Sadly, unless you have amazing health insurance, it’s unlikely that therapy or coaching will be covered under your health insurance plan. We encourage you to check though – you might be pleasantly surprised. Get all of the specifics though – it may go to your deductible – and we know from experience, that unless you are going to meet your deductible, it’s usually less expensive to pay for services out of pocket than to put them through insurance.
https://www.pillarstherapy.com/
The majority of the therapists at Pillars are in-network with all major insurance companies – making this a great option if you have coverage! When reaching out to them, make sure and tell them you are a patient at Heartland Weight Loss so you can get connected to one of their therapists who has been trained in our methodology.
If you don’t feel like you need a therapist but would love a coach to help you along this journey, we recommend working with Leah Golub. Coaching is rarely a covered service under traditional health insurance plans (although it may be FSA/HSA eligible), but it’s usually less expensive than traditional therapy – and is an amazing tool for people undergoing treatment for excess weight! Leah is a wonderful human being and a wonderful coach and has been trained in the Heartland Weight Loss methodology.
Finding the right therapist or coach may take a little time. You may have to meet with several before finding one that you connect with. It may take several visits with one before you decide if he or she is right for you. Be patient and open-minded.
If you have a therapist that you are already comfortable with and they feel as though they can help you navigate this journey, that’s fantastic.
Health insurance reimbursement for mental health services is even trickier and more complicated than health insurance reimbursement for obesity treatment. We don’t agree with it, but the system is bigger than we are. Because of this, many therapists choose to work outside the system altogether.
If you prefer to meet with a therapist in person, here are some local therapists we have worked with in the past and think highly of:
