Data from the World Health Organization (WHO), indicates that approximately 2.8 million people die each year from obesity and obesity-related diseases. This cause of concern was previously only associated with high-income countries but is now being seen more in low and middle-income countries due to the adoption of a sedentary lifestyle.

Being overweight or obese can significantly impact your life and lead to diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and even mental health conditions. Although the health and wellness industry has seen tremendous growth over the years, obesity rates across the world continue to soar, showing the urgent need for an alternative or complementary solution for the existing weight loss options.

Traditional forms of weight loss i.e. exercise programs and diet plans are no longer sufficient to deal with the ever-growing pressure associated with the fast-paced life that we live. To maintain a healthy weight range, there is the need to make permanent changes by incorporating sustainable healthy practices into our lifestyles. Extra support may be necessary for some people in their attempt to adopt healthy life changes and stick to their goals. This support can be provided by a professional through psychotherapy which is offered at the Nairobi Bariatric Centre.

What is Psychotherapy?

This is a process that uses scientifically validated methods to enable people of all ages to develop healthier and more effective habits. It is also known as talk therapy, as it is grounded in dialogue with a professional, usually a trained psychologist, who is objective and non-judgemental. 

Sessions are held within a safe environment allowing for free and open conversations. Psychotherapy can be conducted within a group setting or on a one-to-one basis depending on the specific needs of the patients. 

At Nairobi Bariatric Centre, we offer both group psychotherapy sessions and individual sessions with our in-house psychotherapy specialist Dr. Shchukina. 

Psychotherapy is useful in dealing with several issues such as problems coping with daily life, the impact of trauma, loss, and even weight loss. Depending on your specific needs and the methodology of your practitioner, it may be used with a combination of medication or other therapies. Nairobi Bariatric Centre offers psychotherapy in addition to surgical and non-surgical procedures which are designed to help you sustainably lose excess weight.

Psychotherapy is a collaborative effort that involves identifying and working towards changing thoughts and behaviour patterns that may be keeping you from feeling your best. Studies have shown that at least 75% of those who enter psychotherapy receive some benefit and can better their lives. 

How does Psychotherapy help with Weight loss?

Did you know that about 95% of people who lose weight through a diet plan will regain it within a year?

Diet culture is unsustainable as it focuses on the restriction of certain types of foods i.e carbohydrates. When a patient falls off their diet they tend to feel guilty, overindulge and attempt to begin again; This creates a vicious cycle of yo-yo dieting which can result in serious physical and mental health problems. 

Psychotherapy considers all aspects of your life, such as behaviours and thoughts which can hinder or promote weight management. The process shifts the focus from specific diets towards ingrained patterns or habits which are detrimental to your goals, working on replacing them with more beneficial practices. Over time, your relationship with food improves through gaining an understanding of your eating habits, and cravings. You will work with the psychotherapist to understand where your cravings come from and find healthier solutions to deal with them. By subconsciously making better choices, you will be able to change your life and lose the excess weight.

By working with a trained psychologist, you will be able to manage your weight by: 

• Identifying your triggers i.e anxiety or boredom
• Managing your triggers 
• Learning to trust your body’s signal for food 
• Rebalancing your life

Where can I access Psychotherapy for weight loss in Kenya?

The Nairobi Bariatric Centre offers psychotherapy as a non-surgical option for weight loss and includes both group and individual sessions. The group sessions occur weekly over 4 months and last 1.5 hours. 

The price for this service is Ksh. 56,000 and is inclusive of: 

• Group therapy 
• Individual sessions with Dr. Schukina 
• Continuous assistance in keeping food diaries and monitoring weight loss progress monthly
• Access to audio psychotherapy which you can listen to at home

Psychotherapy is for you if you : 

• Find yourself thinking about all sorts of sugary or salty foods during your day
• Catch yourself mindlessly snacking on foods even when you’re not hungry
• Struggle with sleep due to midnight cravings
• Find it hard to stick to a healthy eating plan 
• Struggle with losing weight and keeping it off

Our psychotherapy sessions are designed to help you better understand your eating habits and improve your relationship with food. By joining in on these sessions, you will be surrounded by a group of like-minded individuals who will act as accountability partners throughout your journey. Our qualified psychotherapist will guide you in incrementally adjusting your lifestyle through changes designed to help you reach your weight loss goal without having to give up your favourite foods.

In Summary 

Psychotherapy complements existing weight loss solutions by identifying harmful thought processes, behaviours, and triggers and replacing them with more beneficial practices which enable you to achieve your weight loss goals. In Kenya, this service is offered by the Nairobi Bariatric Centre at Ksh. 56,000 and runs for 4 months.