Bariatric Patient Assessment & Therapy
“Supporting someone through weight loss surgery isn’t about focusing on the scale—it’s about honoring their courage to seek change, embracing their vulnerability, and walking with them as they reclaim their health, self-worth, and hope.”
– Bren Chasse, LMFT
The Decision to Undergo Weight Loss Surgery
Bariatric surgery is not only a medical intervention but also constitutes a permanent and life-changing event in an individual’s life. It is a very personal decision for someone to make and it can be difficult to fully anticipate the range of emotions you may experience, coupled with such rapid changes in your body. While education from our trusted surgeons can help us understand the procedure itself, therapy can support you as you move through a mix of emotions, including excitement, fear, self-doubt, or even grief over the changes in one’s body, lifestyle, and relationships.
Comprehensive Therapy Services for Weight Loss Surgery and Beyond
The single greatest predictor of long-term success for those that undergo weight loss surgery is whether an individual has a strong social support network. Therapy is one of the best ways to put that support in place. Together, we will rediscover your strength and your worth—just as you are.
My Personal Journey
In 2015, at nearly 450 pounds and with a diagnosis of pre-diabetes, I made the difficult decision to undergo the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure. This experience has given me a unique perspective in my work with clients, as I understand firsthand the physical, emotional, and psychological challenges that come with such a life-altering journey. Having walked this path myself, I am in a unique position to create a truly safe space for clients to explore significant life experiences and the resulting negative beliefs they may hold about themselves. My personal experience allows me to connect with my clients on a deeper level, offering not only clinical guidance but also the understanding that comes from lived experience.
While my journey is a testament to the life-changing impact of weight loss surgery, it is equally important to acknowledge that the path I traveled to reclaim my life was not linear. After my initial procedure, I struggled to adapt and maintain my weight loss. I had focused on the behavioral factors that led to my struggle with weight—but I undervalued the powerful influence my own trauma was having on my life. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and I returned to old destructive patterns. I became more and more disconnected from my body and, consequently, I regained nearly 100 pounds, which left me feeling like a failure. I experienced shame and a sense of hopelessness regarding my body. In 2022, I underwent a revision and, perhaps the first time, I understood on a core level that I needed to change my relationship with food—and to do that, I had to dramatically change my relationship with my body. Weight was a symptom; to heal, we must go back to the roots.
Bariatric Pre-Surgical Assessments
As a therapist specializing in bariatric surgery, I offer comprehensive pre-surgery psychosocial assessments to help individuals prepare mentally and emotionally for the significant changes that come with weight loss surgery. These assessments, often required by insurance companies for medical clearance, are an essential part of the process, as they evaluate not only an individual’s readiness for surgery but afford clients the opportunity to explore any potential barriers to achieving your personal goals. Following the assessment, all clients will receive a comprehensive report they can then submit to their surgeon or insurance company should they choose. Reports are typically released to clients within 10 business days.
How Trauma Impacts our Relationship with Food
For many people with Binge Eating Disorder, past trauma—whether emotional, physical, or psychological—can disrupt our relationship with food. Trauma can create a disconnect between the mind and body. With a holistic approach and expansive definition of trauma, I encourage clients to consider the impact of systemic trauma, such as the oppression of women, marginalized groups, and anyone who has been made to feel less-than because of their individual identity.
Therapy creates a space for clients to explore emotional wounds that have influenced or shaped their relationship with food and their body, and allows clients to grieve, process, and heal those wounds. Trauma-informed care in therapy focuses on empowerment, self-compassion, and creating a safe environment where you can reclaim your power without judgment.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP TOWARD HEALING
If you’re ready to take that first step toward a more empowered relationship with your body, food, and yourself, I am here to walk with you. Together, we will challenge the harmful narratives that have held you back and help you rediscover your strength and your worth—just as you are
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OTHER MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES OFFERED AT ANCHOR PSYCHOTHERAPY, INC.
In addition to assessments and therapy for weight loss surgery and bariatric patients, I offer a wide range of trauma-informed mental health services. These include individual and couples therapy, EMDR, AF-EMDR, and child and family therapy. I also specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex family dynamics, high-conflict divorce, and parental alienation.