Counseling For Teenagers With Weight Problems

Psychological Aspect

• Psychological counselors who specialize in weight and eating issues typically approach weight problems as a symptom of more complex emotional issues and thus address the problem by addressing its source. Psychological counselors might not provide nutritional guidance or use meal or eating plans as part of their therapy. If the counselor doesn't provide these services in her practice she can refer you to someone who can.

Meal Plans

• Counselors who also have formal training in nutrition might create a meal plan for teens. A meal plan is a guide of what your teen should eat at each meal based on her dietary and nutritional needs. Food preferences are taken into account, but the flexibility within the plan varies by counselor and program. Not all counselors will offer this component and might refer your teen to a nutritionist if the counselor feels someone else would be a better source of meal guidance.

Exercise

• Depending on your teen's weight problem, the counselor might try to encourage or reduce the amount of exercise she's doing each day. If your teen is overweight and is sedentary, the counselor might help her set small, manageable activity goals, such as taking a 20-minute bike ride around the neighborhood or briskly walking for 15 minutes twice a day. If your teen is underweight and exercises too frequently or intensely, the counselor might help her gradually reduce her exercise to a more appropriate level or until she begins consuming more calories.

Progress Monitoring

• Monitoring the progress of your teen's weight loss or gain as she continues counseling often plays a role in counseling. A more structured counseling program might include weekly weigh-ins while other counselors will encourage your teen to focus less on the number associated with her weight and more on her overall health, how she feels physically, emotionally, and her attitude and thought processes when it comes to food and eating.