Nutrition ** Weight Control ** Eating Disorders ** Psychotherapy ** Medical Diets ** Pediatric** Divorce Mediation
Individual or Group work
Nutrition
The secret to success is not to follow a diet; but rather it is learning to change habits and make some lifestyle changes. Most patients want a structured plan when they come in to meet with us and that is what we give them. They usually walk out with something tangible to follow. They then begin the process of turning our plan into their own. Over the next few weeks our Registered Dietitians will add to the diet what each patient needs. They will learn, how much to have, how often to eat, how to prepare the food, or order it. We work the diet around your lifestyle and your desires. We can't forget the importance of the psychological habits that also affect the desire to eat. We combine the underlying behaviors and nutrition to aid in weight loss. This process ensures long term results. You will be placed with one of our Nutritionists, behavioral Registered Dietitians and/or a Psychotherapist. Whichever team member you are placed with, Staci commits to overseeing and supervising your team meeting.
Weight Control
Weight reduction is currently a big business. It seems like people are constantly jumping from one diet to the next. Is there really such a thing as a diet that works? Most people who come to see us know how to diet. They come into the office and could actually teach us how to diet, but in general, diets do not work because their effect is short lived. The eighteen pound loss will ultimately return because the underlying behaviors (habits) surrounding their food are not being addressed. Once people become aware of their behaviors, such as nibbling while chatting on the phone, eating when under stress or out of loneliness, change becomes inevitable. Altering underlying behaviors along with healthy eating and routine exercise will bring about more permanent weight reduction.
QUESTION
Do you use a high protein- low carbohydrate diet at Staci Leavitt Mind and Body?
ANSWER
Most people that go on a no carb diet succeed at weight reduction. However, most of them do regain their weight plus more. While we listen to each individual"s concern about carbohydrate intake, it is our ultimate goal to incorporate carbs into your daily food intake. We find that patients that eliminate a food group for a long time period will eventually "cheat" and then go out of control. This is not all about the patient's lack of willpower, but rather a physiological response to wanting more carbohydrates once you have had some. We work with you as an individual to learn about your needs, desires and lifestyle and we then change the diet accordingly. Remember, we never forget that it is often not about hunger, but rather habit or stressful eating that make us lose control.
QUESTION
Do you use a high protein- low carbohydrate diet at Staci Leavitt Mind and Body?
ANSWER
Most people that go on a no carb diet succeed at weight reduction. However, most of them do regain their weight plus more. While we listen to each individual"s concern about carbohydrate intake, it is our ultimate goal to incorporate carbs into your daily food intake. We find that patients that eliminate a food group for a long time period will eventually "cheat" and then go out of control. This is not all about the patient's lack of willpower, but rather a physiological response to wanting more carbohydrates once you have had some. We work with you as an individual to learn about your needs, desires and lifestyle and we then change the diet accordingly. Remember, we never forget that it is often not about hunger, but rather habit or stressful eating that make us lose control.
Eating Disorders
We treat Eating Disorders using a team approach. We use Dietitians, Therapists, Physicians and or Psychiatrists. You may only be seeing one of our staff members or utilizing our complete team. This is totally up to the patient. We are happy to work with Therapist, Dietitians or Physicians that you are currently seeing.
QUESTION
What is an Eating Disorder, or Disordered Eating?
ANSWER
When a person plans their life around their food or their exercise routines, instead of the food working around their life . In other words, food has become the center of their world and their diet and eating habits get in the way of their normal life. Many people are also stuck with some ritualistic type of behaviors. For example, you can't eat after a certain hour or you need to exercise for an exact amount of time. It is very scary to break from these routines because the patient truly believes that they need to keep these routines up to maintain or lose weight. We work in baby steps to prove to the patient that they will be ok changing some of these behaviors through education and trust. We work as partners. People of all ages, both male and female, suffer from eating disorders. Approximately 60% of our practice is related to eating disorders or disordered eating including Anorexia, Bulimia, Compulsive Overeating, Yo-Yo dieting, or Closet Eating.
The Eating Disordered patient may develop his/her identity through their thinness or eating disorder behavior and relish the special attention he/she gets for it (good or bad). The patient may be experiencing special feelings of uniqueness which can perpetuate the patterns of behavior and reinforce the controlling and damaging relationship with food. In other words, this behavior becomes part of their identity and the patient begins to excel at it. This usually make one feel good about themselves. They feel very much in control and empowered, when they are actually are losing control. People often don't seek help because they don't consider themselves to be truly bulimic or anorexics. There are many patients who "fall between the cracks", people who practice only some anorexic or some bulimic behaviors, however they are also suffering greatly.
Let me define these terms for you.
Bulimia is where you are taking food in and then you are purging it. Usually is involves overeating binges followed by purging: throwing up, the use of laxatives or diuretics, diet pills, over exercising, or restricting calories. This is usually followed by depressive thoughts.
Anorexia is a disease in which you restrict your caloric intake. You may starve yourself. You simply do not allow enough food into your body. Usually you will notice the weight loss over a couple of weeks to months.
Compulsive overeating involves binge eating and eating out of control. These patients also suffer from guilty and saddened thoughts. Yo-yo dieting refers to losing and regaining weight. Each time this happens, you are actually increasing your percentage of body fat. When you lose weight you lose muscle and fat. It is only fat that you are regaining. The higher the body fat, the slower the metabolism. Therefore, the next time you diet it becomes harder to lose weight..
Closet eating is also a very common occurrence. Nearly everyone has quirks about what they feel they should or shouldn't eat in front of other people. It can be as innocent as not wanting your spouse to see you eating a candy bar, or as serious as a continuous "eating secretly routine" which can go unrecognized by the individual.
All patients will see Staci for their initial consultation. Then together with Staci, you will decide if you will be working with a Counseling Dietitian and/or Psychotherapist to start your treatment process. If you are currently seeing a Psychotherapist or dietitian we are happy to work with your choice of team member outside the office. We currently work with many outside counselors.
QUESTION
What is an Eating Disorder, or Disordered Eating?
ANSWER
When a person plans their life around their food or their exercise routines, instead of the food working around their life . In other words, food has become the center of their world and their diet and eating habits get in the way of their normal life. Many people are also stuck with some ritualistic type of behaviors. For example, you can't eat after a certain hour or you need to exercise for an exact amount of time. It is very scary to break from these routines because the patient truly believes that they need to keep these routines up to maintain or lose weight. We work in baby steps to prove to the patient that they will be ok changing some of these behaviors through education and trust. We work as partners. People of all ages, both male and female, suffer from eating disorders. Approximately 60% of our practice is related to eating disorders or disordered eating including Anorexia, Bulimia, Compulsive Overeating, Yo-Yo dieting, or Closet Eating.
The Eating Disordered patient may develop his/her identity through their thinness or eating disorder behavior and relish the special attention he/she gets for it (good or bad). The patient may be experiencing special feelings of uniqueness which can perpetuate the patterns of behavior and reinforce the controlling and damaging relationship with food. In other words, this behavior becomes part of their identity and the patient begins to excel at it. This usually make one feel good about themselves. They feel very much in control and empowered, when they are actually are losing control. People often don't seek help because they don't consider themselves to be truly bulimic or anorexics. There are many patients who "fall between the cracks", people who practice only some anorexic or some bulimic behaviors, however they are also suffering greatly.
Let me define these terms for you.
Bulimia is where you are taking food in and then you are purging it. Usually is involves overeating binges followed by purging: throwing up, the use of laxatives or diuretics, diet pills, over exercising, or restricting calories. This is usually followed by depressive thoughts.
Anorexia is a disease in which you restrict your caloric intake. You may starve yourself. You simply do not allow enough food into your body. Usually you will notice the weight loss over a couple of weeks to months.
Compulsive overeating involves binge eating and eating out of control. These patients also suffer from guilty and saddened thoughts. Yo-yo dieting refers to losing and regaining weight. Each time this happens, you are actually increasing your percentage of body fat. When you lose weight you lose muscle and fat. It is only fat that you are regaining. The higher the body fat, the slower the metabolism. Therefore, the next time you diet it becomes harder to lose weight..
Closet eating is also a very common occurrence. Nearly everyone has quirks about what they feel they should or shouldn't eat in front of other people. It can be as innocent as not wanting your spouse to see you eating a candy bar, or as serious as a continuous "eating secretly routine" which can go unrecognized by the individual.
All patients will see Staci for their initial consultation. Then together with Staci, you will decide if you will be working with a Counseling Dietitian and/or Psychotherapist to start your treatment process. If you are currently seeing a Psychotherapist or dietitian we are happy to work with your choice of team member outside the office. We currently work with many outside counselors.
Psychotherapy
QUESTION?
Does every patient that comes into Staci Leavitt Mind and Body have an eating disorder?
No, the Therapists at Staci Leavitt Mind and Body are available to work with patients with or without nutritional needs.
We are a counseling center with therapists trained to deal with Individuals, Marriage Counseling, Family Counseling and Pediatric counseling. There are many patients in our office that do not have Eating Disorders, but instead need a therapist to work through issues, addictions, and experience personal growth.
However, when the patient does have an eating disorder the psychotherapist is involved in the eating disorder treatment. The nutritionist and therapist often overlap in their treatment and do communicate on a regular basis. Many times a person comes in for weight loss and finds that they are eating primarily due to underlying behaviors. At this point it might be recommended to see a therapist instead of, or in addition to your nutritional counselor.
We welcome any proffesional partners to work with us as part of our team. If you are currently seeing an outside nutritionist or psychotherapist, we welcome their partnership with our treatment team and will offer open communication and accommodation in bringing you to your personal best.
Does every patient that comes into Staci Leavitt Mind and Body have an eating disorder?
No, the Therapists at Staci Leavitt Mind and Body are available to work with patients with or without nutritional needs.
We are a counseling center with therapists trained to deal with Individuals, Marriage Counseling, Family Counseling and Pediatric counseling. There are many patients in our office that do not have Eating Disorders, but instead need a therapist to work through issues, addictions, and experience personal growth.
However, when the patient does have an eating disorder the psychotherapist is involved in the eating disorder treatment. The nutritionist and therapist often overlap in their treatment and do communicate on a regular basis. Many times a person comes in for weight loss and finds that they are eating primarily due to underlying behaviors. At this point it might be recommended to see a therapist instead of, or in addition to your nutritional counselor.
We welcome any proffesional partners to work with us as part of our team. If you are currently seeing an outside nutritionist or psychotherapist, we welcome their partnership with our treatment team and will offer open communication and accommodation in bringing you to your personal best.
Medical Diets
At Staci Leavitt Mind and Body, we treat medical diets including Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Diabetes, GI Disorders, Pregnancy, High Blood Pressure and Cancer.
QUESTION
Do you find that overweight people who also suffer from a medical condition such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol are more willing to limit some of their favorite foods?
They are usually a bit more motivated. They understand the possible consequences of their condition and have found their way to us as a result. Unfortunately, their motivation may be short lived. Again, we may be talking about an addiction. The reality of the situation is that they will probably go back to the foods which they have been restricting themselves from. We help people by first educating them as to what exactly is going on in their bodies. We then address their personal weight and dieting issues using a combined psychological and dietary approach.
QUESTION
Do you find that overweight people who also suffer from a medical condition such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol are more willing to limit some of their favorite foods?
They are usually a bit more motivated. They understand the possible consequences of their condition and have found their way to us as a result. Unfortunately, their motivation may be short lived. Again, we may be talking about an addiction. The reality of the situation is that they will probably go back to the foods which they have been restricting themselves from. We help people by first educating them as to what exactly is going on in their bodies. We then address their personal weight and dieting issues using a combined psychological and dietary approach.
Pediatric
This is a very special group of patients that we treat. The key thing to remember is we treat eating disorders. This is such an important statement. We do not want to cause an eating disorder. We are very careful not to educate children about things that are not age appropriate. Helping them get healthier or learn better habits or portion size is a much safer approach than restricting their diets.
Confidence is the most important thing for children. When parents find that they are fighting with their child over their food intake, it is time to seek professional help. No matter how badly a parent wants to help their child lose weight, it can't work unless the child is ready to make some changes. That is our job. Our staff is trained to work with children. Most of the children never feel like they went on a diet. however their weight is dropping and they have someone to talk to. The children look forward to coming back. The parents find it extremely helpful. We also offer groups for children.
Confidence is the most important thing for children. When parents find that they are fighting with their child over their food intake, it is time to seek professional help. No matter how badly a parent wants to help their child lose weight, it can't work unless the child is ready to make some changes. That is our job. Our staff is trained to work with children. Most of the children never feel like they went on a diet. however their weight is dropping and they have someone to talk to. The children look forward to coming back. The parents find it extremely helpful. We also offer groups for children.
One on One
QUESTION
Do you only see patients one-on-one? Most of our patients do come for individual one-on-one sessions. This allows us the complete privacy needed when discussing all personal issues. It also gives us the time to analyze and tailor your diet to your specific stressors, emotions, life style and work schedule.
We also offer small groups as well as large group support.
Do you only see patients one-on-one? Most of our patients do come for individual one-on-one sessions. This allows us the complete privacy needed when discussing all personal issues. It also gives us the time to analyze and tailor your diet to your specific stressors, emotions, life style and work schedule.
We also offer small groups as well as large group support.
Support Groups
FREE A.N.A.D. (Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders) National support group NO CHARGE for victims or family and friends. Weight control groups (4-6) people for a reduced rate.
Behavioral Support groups (4-6) people for a reduced rate. Offered by Nutritionist and/or a Psychotherapist.
We Also offer Family Sessions:
• Parenting
• Prenatal
• Mommy & Me
• Adolescent
• Living Life to the Fullest
• Pediatric
One on one counseling is also available to any group member.
Behavioral Support groups (4-6) people for a reduced rate. Offered by Nutritionist and/or a Psychotherapist.
We Also offer Family Sessions:
• Parenting
• Prenatal
• Mommy & Me
• Adolescent
• Living Life to the Fullest
• Pediatric
One on one counseling is also available to any group member.
