Behavioral Health
To better understand the complexities of obesity, we will focus on what motivates our poor food choices and what we can do to approach these choices in a mindful way to ensure successful weight loss.
Tri-State Bariatrics has a Psychiatrist on staff who is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She has developed a specific program based on this knowledge, that has been so successful it is used in all our offices.
Our CBT based program is built on the concept that our thoughts influence our feelings and behaviors. You can learn to have healthy thoughts about food, eating, and your body that will support your weight loss goals. Our goal is to help you get ready for surgery and understand the various components of weight loss surgery. One example is physical vs. mental hunger. Even after surgery, you will need to be aware of any triggers to eat when you are not hungry. Three of these triggers are your emotions, habits and outside influences. Our team will help you start thinking about your support network, which will be beneficial for your success. You will also need to consider how important people in your life may be affected by your weight loss surgery.
CBT is one approach we may use to assist you with any issues you may have. Fighting food cravings and learning to deal with emotions without using food are common challenges. You may want to take advantage of food journaling which can help you develop an awareness of why, when, and how much you eat
At Tri-State Bariatrics our team can work with you to set up strategies to prevent poor food choices, increase your motivation, and form new healthier habits.
This includes learning to solve problems without turning to food, and practicing skills such as relaxation techniques and mindful eating. Ultimately, addressing your old unhealthy eating behaviors can make a difference in reaching optimum weight loss.
Food is all around us; from the food within our homes, at work, fast food drive-thrus, social gatherings, and of course those infamous food commercials. Learning how to prevent poor food choices when constantly being bombarded with food can be overwhelming. Our team will work with you on practical every day tips to help you not give into these temptations.
Motivation is key to helping a person achieve a goal or desire. There are common motivations for having bariatric surgery. Some of those motivations might be eliminating certain medications, being able to walk easier, feeling better, or looking better. We may work together to identify motivators unique to your situation. Our team can help you stay focused on your weight loss goals as you take each step to the new you.
No matter which surgery you have chosen, we help you understand that surgery is only a tool. By teaching you lifestyle changes, our goal is to make a lasting difference as you take each step to a happier healthier you.
Hello, I’m Dr. Kristin Allison
My education includes a 7 yr B.S./M.D. program through Union College and Albany Medical College, where as an undergraduate, I completed my Senior Thesis on Food Addiction. My residency at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington D.C. lead to board certification in internal medicine. Through my exposure to many patients in medical school rotations, residency and an internal medicine office setting, I realized my interest was mainly in Obesity, nutrition, and disordered eating. I then decided to continue my training through psychiatry to understand both the psychological and biological factors contributing to disordered eating.
Because of this strong desire, I completed a psychiatry residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. This hospital has one of the few inpatient units for eating disorders in the country. Here I was able to train under one of the top contributors in the field and was mentored on a research project studying children of eating disordered patients. This ultimately led to my decision to also study child and adolescent psychiatry. While completing this fellowship, I trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and led group therapy sessions for patients with eating disorders.
After ending my training, I returned to Orange County, NY where I was raised to be near family and friends. I became Board Certified in Psychiatry and in 2011 joined TSB. I consider myself fortunate to be part of a multi-disciplinary team that provides comprehensive care to each individual. By specializing in bariatric psychiatry, I can dedicate my time to helping those who have chosen surgery as part of their weight loss journey. It would be my privilege to assist you in finding success and happiness .