I'm curious if anyone doing IP has done, or is doing, any sort of counseling/therapy for food addiction? I'm looking in to starting IP, but I know that I have food issues.

I had gastric bypass surgery about 10 years ago, and while I initially lost weight, hindsight is always 20/20 and I should have actively sought counseling/therapy for my food addiction issues. The surgical group I went to didn't push that, but I wish they would have. (Today, anyone who asks me about having WLS, I always always always tell them that I would do it again, but I would have been in therapy for at least 6 months before and after and recommend if they decide to have the surgery that they do the same.)

For those of you who are going through counseling, how did you go about finding someone that specializes in food addiction? I was given the name of one clinic and they look AmAzInG ... but they don't accept my insurance, and won't give me any names of other area therapists in this specialty.

Thanks in advance!
Angie

Hi Angie!
Wish I could help but don't have an answer...just wanted to bump this back up for you and say "hi"!
Jake

Most normal sized counseling centers (mental health centers) have at least one eating disorder expert there. Maybe just try making a few calls? I've found that it's a valuable experience.

Some of my friends have had a lot of success with group therapy at an eating disorder clinic as well as Over-eaters Anonymous groups.

How about speaking to your insurance company? They often have doctor/clinic lists by specialty that are covered and can refer you.

Sounds like a great idea.

Overeating has only recently been recognized as an eating disorder. There isn't a lot of information about it available and very little support for this side of the eating disorder spectrum. There are some individual therapists out there who understand overeating and this type of addiction, but the available resources are sorely lacking.

The best resource I've seen is Overeaters Anonymous. There are meetings on-line, in person and by phone. If you haven't attended a meeting you might look into one. On-line meetings are basically chat rooms, All you have to do is show up when it's meeting time and read/listen or you can participate if you wish.

For a list of all the meetings around the world visit www.oa.org