PRE-SURGICAL BARIATRIC ASSESSMENT: For individuals anticipating weight loss surgery, it is imperative that A pre-surgical bariatric psychological evaluation is conducted to help the surgery center, the patient and the insurance company determine a patient’s readiness for a bariatric surgery. The surgeries include Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, Loop Duodenal Switch, Standard Duodenal Switch. These evaluations are conducted by a licensed psychologist who finds out how a patient arrived at the decision, what stage of contemplation each patient has reached and verifies strengths or barriers that might hinder a patient’s ability to achieve weight loss goals post surgery. The psychological evaluation is an hour session that includes gathering personal biographical information, past and current emotional functioning. The clinician assesses mood, cognitive functioning, anxiety, trauma, substance use, health behaviors such as sleep, diet, activity/exercise, bulimia, emotional eating. If areas of difficulty are identified during the evaluation, this does not necessarily disqualify candidacy for the surgery. At the end of the session, the psychologist discusses the findings with the patient and recommends areas of improvement, mood management, and makes a referral for medication review or psychotherapy. The psychologist sends a formal report to the surgery center with details about the evaluation.

MIGRAINE HEADACHES: Individuals who are suffering from chronic and debilitating headaches that have no medical underlying problems do not need to suffer alone. We are here to help you learn and implicit evidence-based strategies helpful in managing this disease.

SMOKING CESSATION/TOBACCO: Have you experienced several failed attempts at stopping the bad habit of smoking and now you realize the negative impact this habit has on your health?. We can help you to navigate through these challenges and build up strategies that might be beneficial in curbing this habit. Smoking is unhealthy, it is not cheap, it is costly, and it prevents you from enjoying a healthy, quality of life free from fear of COPD.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE/ADDICTION: Substance abuse counseling combines both treatment and support for people who are suffering from illicit drug or alcohol addiction. The counseling is a part of a totality of rehabilitation programs that helps clients to overcome their dependence on illicit substances mentally and emotionally. A licensed clinician will work with persons individually or/and in a group in a clinical setting to work on issues relating to mental health, relationships, behavior patterns, and other treatment options that might require referrals to specialists. Substance abuse counseling includes:

  • Talk therapy sessions (Individual or group)
  • History of the root cause of addiction
  • Past Positive coping strategies and exploration of new or renewed ones
  • Create Treatment goals that are Specific, Measureable, Attenable, Realistic and Timely (S.M.A.R.T.). “No one can get anywhere unless he knows where he wants to go and what he wants to be or do.” –Norman Vincent Peale.
  • Active participation and in-session practice.
  • Make recommendations to other programs such as 12-step programs or groups as needed on an individual basis.

NUTRITION EVALUATION: Every person deserves a good nourishment for the body, mind and spirit and to improve their quality of life. A famous axiom states “You are what you eat.” We, at Family Friendly Psychological Group, want to help you eradicate bad eating habits and cultivate new, healthy and lasting ones that would be beneficial in helping you maintain a healthy, happy and quality lifestyle.