Helping Patients Outsmart Overeating, written by an eating disorder therapist and a physician, offers a new paradigm for doctors and health care providers who treat patients with eating and weight concerns. It describes how both parties are frustrated by weight-loss plans and programs that fail in the long term, and presents a science-based explanation for why diets fail and how they, in fact, may adversely impact patients’ mental and physical health. The authors illustrate how providers can truly help patients by using empathy, compassion, and motivational interviewing. They explain how helping patients strengthen skills related to self-awareness, emotional management, stress reduction, appetite attunement, perseverance and effective self-care can improve self-efficacy and support sustained motivation in improving health and wellness promoting behaviors. The issue of weight stigma is addressed, along with how professionals’ view of their own eating and weight affects the patient-provider relationship. This book introduces clinicians to tools from eating and success psychology, Intuitive Eating, Lifestyle Medicine, and Health and Wellness Coaching, within a weight-inclusive paradigm. It also details a collaborative model for working with ancillary disciplines to give patients and providers the comprehensive support needed for lasting success.
Author Biography:
Karen R. Koenig, LCSW, M.Ed., is a psychotherapist, eating coach, blogger, educator, and international author of six previous books on eating, weight and body image. An expert on the psychology of eating, she has been in practice for over 30 years. Her books are popular with overeaters, chronic dieters, and binge-eaters who want to end the diet-binge cycle and make peace with food. She practices out of Sarasota, Florida and her website is www.karenrkoenig.com.
Paige O’Mahoney, MD, is a physician, health and wellness coach, certified Intuitive Eating counselor, and founder of Deliberate Life Wellness, LLC, a collaborative coaching and medical education initiative whose mission is to promote compassionate care, highlight resources and experts, and change the conversation about weight and wellness among patients, clinicians, and policy makers. Paige is a member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) and the Lifestyle Medicine Education Collaborative (LMEd). In addition to her coaching practice, Paige conducts group workshops, develops curricular and continuing medical and health education training materials, and speaks to both professional and lay audiences on topics related to healing overeating and creating a deliberate, satisfying life. Her website is www.deliberatelifewellness.com.
