Melanie Lindell, MA LMHC

Melanie Lindell, LMHC, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, bariatric patient, and founding board member of the BariNation Foundation. She serves as Board Secretary, contributes to HR and compliance leadership, and facilitates patient support groups within the BariNation community.

Nearly eight years after her own bariatric surgery, Melanie understands firsthand that the journey of healing does not end in the operating room—it unfolds across a lifetime. Her lived experience, combined with her professional training as a mental health therapist, fuels her commitment to ensuring that patients receive the long-term emotional, behavioral, and community support necessary to truly thrive.

Through her work with the BariNation Foundation, Melanie helps advance a mission centered on dignity, access, and lifelong care for individuals living with the disease of obesity. She is passionate about bridging the gap between medical treatment and sustained support by building programs, partnerships, and advocacy efforts that ensure no patient has to navigate their health journey alone.