Losing weight is clearly one of the most challenging goals for anyone. It's not merely that it takes self-discipline, consistency, and ability to bounce back from slips. It's also that this culture makes temptation so. . . well, so tempting. You can hardly drive a block in any city without there being fast food options everywhere. You can't go into a grocery store check out line without offers of sweets on both sides. You can't go into a gas station without snacks of all kinds staring you in the face. Television and print ads showing people happily munching away bombard us from all directions. Obesity has reached record levels in the past twenty years even as the culture has become more health-conscious. Adult-onset diabetes has reached virtually epidemic proportions as well in the past twenty years. The Surgeon General has stated that it is irrefutable that being overweight is the second leading cause of preventable premature death, second only to smoking. If current trends continue -- decrease in levels of smoking in the country while obesity and diabetes increase -- it is likely that weight problems will someday relatively soon overtake smoking as the leading cause of preventable premature death in our country.

Most clients who see me for weight management are interested in using hypnosis. The way in which hypnosis is used to help with this problem is similar to how it is used to help a person quit smoking (see my web page on smoking cessation for information about how hypnosis works), however if you have a serious weight problem, I strongly suggest that you return for reinforcement sessions periodically during your weight loss. Whether you come two times or ten times, each session will be unique and attempt to address your concerns and needs at that point in time. But remember that reinforcement sessions are completely up to you. There is no obligation or contract that requires you to return for any additional sessions. You are the one who ultimately determines how much hypnosis is right for you. For some people even with serious weight issues, one session is sufficient to get you moving in the right direction.

As a psychologist, I can also provide strictly counseling/therapy services for weight loss without ever doing hypnosis. Often there are issues such as anxiety, depression, job, family, or marital problems that are involved in being overweight. Therefore if you need help with weight control but don't want to use hypnosis, I can still be of assistance using conventional therapy techniques.

I also understand enough about nutrition to suggest and steer you towards healthy eating habits. I don't advocate fad or radical diets. I do advocate sensible ways of eating that last a lifetime. In other words, once you lose your weight, you don't go "off the diet." Instead, you continue eating the way you have been eating while you lose weight because you've learned to eat properly. By the way, I do not ask you to give up any food 100% of the time. I wouldn't ask you to do anything I wouldn't do. I watch what I eat and exercise regularly, but also enjoy occasional indulgences. I think you can lose weight and keep it off without giving up any food or beverage 100% of the time. In fact, letting go and indulging once in a while actually works better in the long run. This way, you are not so frustrated so much of the time and apt to give up.