Group Therapy

Weight Loss Support Group

This group is designed for adults in larger bodies who are navigating weight loss, health behavior change, and/or the use of medications such as GLP-1s, and who are seeking a supportive, non-shaming space to explore their relationship with food, movement, and body image. Common presenting concerns include cycles of all-or-nothing thinking, emotional eating, body dissatisfaction, weight stigma (internalized and external), and difficulty sustaining health behaviors over time.

This is a support and skills-based group with process-oriented elements. The group integrates evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed interventions. Psychoeducation is combined with facilitated discussion, experiential exercises, and peer support to promote behavior change that is flexible, values-aligned, and sustainable.

Content areas include disrupting black-and-white thinking, building self-compassion, navigating plateaus, increasing distress tolerance, redefining success beyond weight, and strengthening consistency in health behaviors without reliance on shame or rigidity. Participants are encouraged to explore both individual experiences and shared patterns within a group context.

No specific materials are required. Optional worksheets or reflection prompts may be provided between sessions to support skill integration.

Details:

Where: Virtual (Zoom)
When:
- Monday group: Every-other week from 5:15-6:15pm (Ongoing).
- Tuesday group: Every-other week from 5:15-6:15pm (Ongoing).
- Wednesday group: Every-other week from 5:15-6:15pm (Ongoing).
Other: Open to Oregon residents ages 18+; Most insurances accepted.
Reach out to schedule an intake today!

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Additional Info:

This group is held exclusively via Zoom and includes a mix of structured discussion, skill-building, and peer support. Group size typically ranges from 5–15 participants, allowing for both individualized attention and meaningful connection.

All participants begin with a 30-minute screening appointment to ensure the group is a good fit and to clarify individual goals. While participants may share common themes (e.g., weight loss, medication use, body image), each person’s work in the group is personalized and self-directed.

Many participants attend for a period of time and then “graduate” when they feel they’ve built the tools, insight, and support needed to move forward independently—though length of participation is flexible and based on individual needs.

This group is best suited for individuals who want support navigating weight loss and health behavior change in a way that is flexible, sustainable, and grounded in self-compassion rather than shame. For those seeking a fat-affirming, weight-inclusive space that does not center weight loss, please consider
T-Shirt Swim Club (TSSC), which focuses on body acceptance, identity, and healing from weight stigma.

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Group Therapist

Dr. Alisa Karmel, PsyD

Dr. Alisa Karmel (she/her) specializes in the psychological side of weight loss, including GLP-1 treatment. She supports individuals navigating emotional eating, food noise, body image shifts, and the often-overlooked identity and relationship changes that come with weight loss. When food can no longer function as a primary coping tool, many clients feel untethered. Dr. K helps individuals build new, sustainable coping strategies while protecting their mental health and autonomy within a weight-inclusive framework