Integrated Health Behavioral Health Committee

Members

Clinton Bolton, PhD
Janelle Coughlin, PhD
Rachel Goldman, PhD FTOS
Ryan Marek, PhD
Lori Nevins, LCSW
Sanjeev Sockalingam, MD MHPE FRCPC
Lisa West-Smith, PhD LISW-S
Sanita Ley, PhD

ASMBS STAFF LIAISON

Morgan Matlock

Charge:

The Behavioral Health (BH) Committee of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) is charged with integrating and promoting comprehensive and high-quality BH practices within the field of metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS). This committee’s main aim is to ensure that individuals seeking and undergoing MBS have access to, and receive, high-quality, evidence-based, and ethical BH care that is tailored to their needs throughout the MBS process. 

Description:

The ASMBS Behavioral Health Committee is dedicated to the development, refinement, and dissemination of BH practices within the field of MBS, with particular focus on establishing a standard for high-quality BH care and promoting BH-related education to healthcare professionals both within and outside the field of BH. This aligns with the ASMBS mission to elevate global health and well-being by reducing the impact of obesity. Comprised of members representing diverse disciplines within the field of MBS BH, this committee works collaboratively with other ASMBS committees on projects related to BH.

Goals:

• Provide the field of bariatric BH with a model of training that will help clinicians new to the specialty of bariatric BH to acquire evidence-based knowledge and skills relevant to working with patients undergoing MBS.
• Promote education on the psychosocial aspects of obesity and treatments for obesity for healthcare providers both within and outside of the fields of obesity/MBS and those both within and outside of the discipline of BH
• Provide bariatric BH clinicians with a clinical framework and practical tools to use in practice with their patients.

Objectives:

• Create and implement an ASMBS credential for BH clinicians with demonstrated competency in applying the relevant knowledge, skills, and expertise in MBS clinical practice.
• Continue to offer the Fundamentals in Bariatric Behavioral Health course biennially during the pre-conference portion of ASMBS annual meetings.
• Continue to partner with the Master’s Course in Behavioral Health (MCBH) workgroup for the annual pre-conference MCBH  
• Support and collaborate with other ASMBS committees and working groups in developing educational offerings, practice guidelines, and clinical recommendations that are relevant to MBS BH.