Insight Behavioral Health Centers Announces: New Weight Management Program

CHICAGO, May 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Struggling with weight or body image issues? Do you feel like you've tried everything out there and nothing works? Is your self-esteem affected by your disappointment with your shape?

Insight Behavioral Health Centers (www.insightbhc.com) can help you identify what is preventing you from achieving your weight loss goals and help you develop practical and effective solutions to successfully address these issues. 

Renowned psychologists Julie Friedman, Ph.D, and Bradley Saks, Psy.D., former co-owners of the North Shore Center for Weight Management, are joining Insight Behavioral Health Centers to start this comprehensive, state-of –the-art weight loss and weight management program: the Insight Program for Weight Management (IPWM).

Dr. Friedman and Dr. Saks, faculty at Northwestern University Medical School, and experts in obesity and weight management, note that IPWM offers customized nutrition, behavioral assessments and treatment plans to help patients effectively manage their weight and overcome behavioral hurdles. "Chronically overweight people are grappling with a medical disorder," asserts Friedman. "Yes, there are behavioral patterns that make this disease worse, but most people are fighting biology and genetics. Overweight people are blamed – rather than treated – for their condition. It's a serious medical service gap."

Because obesity causes or exacerbates other physical and mental health problems, many patients can use their medical or mental health insurance coverage for their participation in IPWM.

Saks says, "Clients may suffer from obesity-related medical conditions like diabetes, infertility, osteoarthritis, sleep problems, or cardiovascular disease that will be improved through weight loss. Weight loss surgery patients must learn to sustain weight that is lost and form new habits even after surgery; very few outlets are available to help them do this."

"It's not just about the pounds you lose, it's how you feel about yourself. As eating disorder specialists, we treat the whole person," says Susan McClanahan, Ph.D., Insight Behavioral Health Centers' founder/director and licensed clinical psychologist. "We are proud to add this comprehensive program, and are especially pleased to welcome Julie Friedman and Brad Saks to our team."

IPWM licensed psychologists and registered dietitians create real-world plans based on each patient's treatment history, physical challenges, and short- and long- term goals. After a thorough initial evaluation, each patient receives individualized treatment plans specific to their needs. "Sometimes commercial weight loss program participants plateau, or regain the weight because they are unable to identify and subsequently address the behavioral issues that compromise their weight loss progress," says Friedman. "We address the gap between knowing what to do with food and exercise, and actually doing it. We give patients useful life skills to help them achieve and maintain a healthy weight." Insight Weight Management Program services will be offered in downtown Chicago and Northbrook. For more information please visit www.insightbhc.com.

About Insight Behavioral Health Centers. Insight Behavioral Health Centers specialize in treatment for people dealing with mood, anxiety, and eating disorders. The new IPWM focuses on healthful weight loss and maintenance. Insight is accredited by the Joint Commission and is a teaching affiliate of the McGaw School of Medicine at Northwestern University. Insight has four locations: Northbrook, Evanston, downtown Chicago, and a new center in Oak Park. For more information, visit www.insightbhc.com, or call 312-540-9955.

 For all media inquiries, please contact Orly Telisman at [email protected] or 312.375.1230.

SOURCE Insight Behavioral Health Centers