HOW WELLSPRING CHANGES BEHAVIOUR
Unless weight loss is accompanied by changes in the way we think and act regarding diet and activity, we will return to our former habits and – in time – regain the weight that has been lost.
As a result, the Wellspring programme is primarily focused on changing behaviour: literally changing the way campers make choices about food and exercise.
The scientifically-based Wellspring behavioural programme consists of two distinct elements. First, Wellspring “Behavioural Coaches” – Masters’ and Doctoral-level therapists – provide intensive training on the self-regulatory behaviours that we know from decades of research are the keys to losing weight and keeping it off. These behaviours include self-monitoring (keeping a written record of what we’re eating, including portion sizes, calories and grams of fat), journaling, contracting and goal setting.
Then, Wellspring Behavioural Coaches work with each camper no less than 4x per week in cognitive-behavioural therapy sessions (CBT). The CBT serves several purposes. First, it helps reinforce the training on the self-regulatory behaviours. Second, it helps campers work on the skills that are going to be required to continue the behaviours at home through good times and bad. Examples of these skills are stress management and frustration tolerance. Finally and crucially, CBT helps campers replace the unhealthy coping mechanisms they may have adopted over the years – such as emotional eating or resorting to food as a coping mechanism for dealing with stress or depression – with much healthier coping skills.
Wellspring Behavioural Coaches work with campers at camp, and then continue to work with campers over the next year in the year-round after-care programme.
For more detailed information on the Wellspring clinical programme, please click here.
