Weight Loss

More than 160 million Americans are classified as either overweight or obese, which can lead to a wide range of mental and physical health issues. At Sidhu Psychiatric Clinic in Palm Harbor, Florida, Kanwaljit (Kavi) Sidhu NP-C, PMHNP-BC, offers weight loss counseling services to help you adjust your relationship with food and learn to make healthier choices for successful and sustainable weight loss. Call Sidhu Psychiatric Clinic or request an appointment online today.

Why is it important to maintain a healthy weight?

Your weight is a key health indicator. If you’re overweight or obese, your risk increases for developing many chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis.

In addition, being overweight can affect your mental health. The media portrays young, thin people as more desirable and attractive. If you carry extra weight, you might feel unattractive or embarrassed about your appearance. These self-esteem issues can contribute to mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.

How can a psychotherapist help me lose weight?

You may have heard of the phrase “eat your feelings.” Many people have an unhealthy relationship with food, using it as a source of comfort or entertainment when they’re feeling down or bored. Self-doubt and negative feelings may plague you after years of trying and failing to lose weight on your own.

At Sidhu Psychiatric Clinic, Kavi can help you assess your relationship with food. You may uncover underlying issues that impact how you eat and the emotions you associate with food. She guides you to explore and resolve those issues to improve your diet and exercise habits. She can also help you develop the self-confidence to believe in your ability to lose weight and not lose hope when you eat something unhealthy.

Kavi may suggest using cognitive behavioral therapy to help you change the way you eat and lose weight. She may also recommend mindfulness-based eating therapy so you can learn to focus on what you’re eating instead of inadvertently overeating.

What should I expect during weight loss counseling sessions?

Kavi tailors your weight loss counseling sessions to address your specific needs and concerns. You work together to identify your food-related emotions and learn strategies to modify unhealthy behaviors.

You’ll also monitor your behaviors and emotions. Some patients benefit from keeping a food diary where you record not only what you eat, but also why you’re eating and how you’re feeling at the time. You may also want to track your activity levels.

You can use this information during your sessions to explore your feelings and develop strategies to support your decision to make healthier choices around diet and exercise.

If you’re ready to make healthy changes and improve your relationship with food, call Sidhu Psychiatric Clinic or request a consultation online today.