Melinda Schuster, MA LPC-S PMH-C

Hi, I’m Melinda Schuster, M.A., LMHC, LPC-S, PMH-C. I work with adults seeking bariatric psychological evaluations and those wanting support before and after weight-loss surgery.

Choosing bariatric surgery is rarely just about food or weight. For most people, it carries years of lived experience, coping patterns, body image concerns, emotional eating, anxiety, trauma history, and pressure to do everything “the right way.” My role is to help clients feel prepared, supported, and understood throughout this process, without judgment or being rushed.

Bariatric Psychological Evaluations

Bariatric psychological evaluations with me are approached as collaborative conversations rather than interrogations. We review what is required for surgery while also talking honestly about stress, coping strategies, emotional eating patterns, mental health history, and expectations for life after surgery. My goal is for clients to leave the evaluation feeling informed and confident, not ashamed or overwhelmed.

Bariatric Counseling and Post-Operative Support

I also work with clients before and after surgery who want support navigating the emotional side of bariatric life, including:

 Emotional and stress-related eating
 Anxiety, overwhelm, and perfectionism
 Body image and identity changes following weight loss
 Relationship shifts and boundary challenges
 Learning how to cope without shame when things feel difficult

I am EMDR certified and use trauma-informed, evidence-based therapy to support clients in developing healthier coping strategies and long-term emotional resilience.

I believe bariatric surgery is a medical tool, not a moral test, and that mental and emotional health care is an essential part of long-term success*. My hope is that clients move through this process feeling supported, capable, and more at peace in their bodies and their lives.

Bariatric psychological evaluations and therapy are provided via secure telehealth.

Online consultations can be scheduled at www.schustercounseling.com