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Specialized GLP-1 & Weight Management Counseling

The medication
opens the door.
Therapy helps
you walk through it.

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are powerful tools — but lasting change requires more than biology alone. I provide specialized counseling for the emotional, psychological, and behavioral dimensions of your weight management journey.

Schedule a Free Consult How It Works
LICSW (DC) · LCSW-C (MD)
Telehealth Across Many States
25+ Years Experience
Marni Riffkin
25+
Years Experience
2020
GLP-1 Patient Since
Multi
State Telehealth

Why Counseling + GLP-1s

Medication changes what you eat.
Therapy changes why.

GLP-1 medications affect both the brain and the stomach — reducing appetite and quieting food noise. But they don't address the emotional habits and patterns built over a lifetime. That's where therapy makes the lasting difference.

"GLP-1s affect both the brain and the stomach — reducing appetite and quieting food noise. But they don't address the emotional habits and patterns built over a lifetime. That's where therapy makes the lasting difference."
Food Noise & Emotional Eating
+
Learn to recognize emotional triggers — stress, boredom, loneliness — and build coping strategies that don't rely on food.
Body Image & Identity Shifts
+
Changing your body can bring unexpected emotions. We work through shifts in self-perception and self-worth that go far beyond the scale.
Sustainable Habits & Long-Term Success
+
Build realistic routines for movement, sleep, and stress — with relapse prevention skills so healthy habits hold when life gets hard.
Shame & Stigma
+
Feeling embarrassed about taking medication? You deserve a completely non-judgmental space — without explanation or apology.
Before, During & After Medication
+
Whether you're just starting, navigating side effects, or considering tapering — counseling provides continuity at every phase.

Who I Help

You might be ready for counseling if…

You're starting a GLP-1

You want long-term success — not just weight management, but a healthier relationship with food and yourself.

You're already on medication

The medication is working, but something emotional or psychological still feels unresolved.

You're dealing with food noise

Obsessive thoughts about food, rituals, or rigidity have entered your life and you want support.

You have a complex food history

Years of dieting or emotional eating that predate the medication — therapy helps you heal that history.

You feel alone in this

There's no one you can truly talk to about the weight, the shame, and the complexity. You want someone who gets it.

You're thinking about stopping

You want the mindset and habits in place so your progress stays yours — with or without the medication.

My Approach

Evidence-based, compassion-led

I draw from a range of evidence-based therapies, always tailoring my approach to what fits you. No two GLP-1 journeys are alike — and neither is our work together.

Click any therapy below to learn how it supports your journey.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT
+
CBT helps you identify and reframe the automatic thoughts that drive emotional eating and self-criticism. We examine patterns like "I already ruined it, I may as well keep eating" and replace them with more flexible thinking — so your mind supports your goals instead of working against them.
Motivational Interviewing
MI
+
Motivational Interviewing strengthens your own motivation to change by exploring your values, ambivalence, and readiness. Rather than telling you what to do, I help you discover what genuinely drives you — so that healthier habits come from within and stick long-term.
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
ACT
+
ACT helps you stop fighting difficult thoughts and feelings, and instead act in alignment with what truly matters to you. For GLP-1 clients, this means building psychological flexibility — accepting setbacks without shame, and continuing to move toward a life defined by your values, not your weight.
Mindfulness-Based Approaches
Mindfulness
+
Mindfulness practices help you develop present-moment awareness of hunger, fullness, emotions, and urges — without reacting automatically. This is especially powerful for food noise: learning to observe cravings with curiosity rather than control, and to respond intentionally rather than impulsively.
Somatic & Body-Focused Approaches
Somatic
+
Weight and body image aren't just psychological — they live in the body too. Somatic approaches help you reconnect with physical sensations, recognize stress responses, and process stored emotional experiences that can drive overeating or self-criticism. This supports deeper, more embodied healing.
1

Free 15-Minute Consultation

A brief, no-pressure phone call to talk about where you are and see if we're the right fit.

2

Initial Intake Session

We explore your full GLP-1 and weight management history, emotional patterns, and goals. I share my impressions and we map a plan together.

3

Ongoing Sessions via SimplePractice

Regular sessions through SimplePractice — a secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform. Each session builds on the last with real skills and real progress.

4

Completion or Maintenance

When your goals are met, you graduate with a toolkit you own. Many clients continue on a maintenance basis as an ongoing investment in themselves.

Marni Riffkin
Washington DC
LICSW · License # LC50080628
Maryland
LCSW-C · License # 11390

About Marni

Someone who truly
understands the journey

I'm Marni Riffkin, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years of experience, specializing in the emotional and psychological dimensions of weight management and GLP-1 journeys.

I don't just understand this journey clinically — I've lived it. As a bariatric patient and a GLP-1 patient since 2020, I know firsthand the hope, the complexity, and the internal work no medication can do for you.

I offer telehealth across many states through the Social Work Licensure Compact. Reach out to confirm whether your state is included.

GLP-1 Patient Since 2020 Bariatric Experience LICSW · DC LCSW-C · MD 25+ Years Multi-State Telehealth Weight & Body Image Food & Emotional Eating

Education

Master of Social Work

University of Pittsburgh · 1998

Bachelor of Arts, Criminology

The Pennsylvania State University · 1990

FAQs

Common
questions

Have a question not covered here? Feel free to reach out directly.

Are sessions in person, virtual, or both?

I offer telehealth sessions through SimplePractice, a HIPAA-compliant video platform. Sessions are conducted via secure video and are available to clients in Washington DC, Maryland, and many additional states through the Social Work Licensure Compact.

In-person sessions may also be available — please inquire when you reach out.

What are your fees?

Please reach out directly for current session rates. I'm happy to discuss fees, session frequency, and what to expect financially before you make any commitment.

Payment is due at the time of each session. I accept credit cards and other standard payment methods.

Do you accept insurance?

I do not accept insurance. By operating outside of insurance, I'm able to offer you more personalized, flexible care without the limitations that insurance often imposes — including restrictions on type, frequency, and duration of treatment.

This also means greater confidentiality: I am not required to share your information with any insurance company, and no formal diagnosis is required to begin working together.

You may still be reimbursed. As a licensed out-of-network provider, I can provide a superbill — a detailed receipt — that you can submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement. I recommend calling the member services number on your insurance card and asking:

  • "Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?"
  • "What is my out-of-network deductible?"
  • "What percentage is reimbursed once the deductible is met?"

I'm happy to help you navigate this process — just ask.

Where can I access telehealth with you?

I am licensed in Washington DC (LICSW) and Maryland (LCSW-C), and I serve clients in many additional states through the Social Work Licensure Compact — an interstate agreement that allows licensed social workers to practice across participating states.

The list of compact states continues to grow. Please reach out with your state of residence and I'll confirm whether I can see you there. All telehealth is conducted through SimplePractice, a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform.

Is therapy confidential?

Yes. Everything shared in our sessions is strictly confidential. I will never disclose your information to family, employers, or others without your written consent.

There are limited legal exceptions — such as imminent risk of harm to yourself or others, suspected abuse, or a court order. These are explained fully in the consent documents you'll complete before our first session.

What is the cancellation policy?

I ask for at least 24 hours notice to cancel or reschedule. I understand life is unpredictable and am happy to discuss any extenuating circumstances.

Late cancellations or no-shows may be subject to a fee.

How do I get started?

The easiest way is to fill out the contact form below and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Contact & Intake

Let's start the
conversation

Fill out the form and I'll be in touch within 1–2 business days.

Phone
(240) 305-3208
Telehealth
Washington DC & Maryland
plus many states via Social Work Licensure Compact
Hours
Mon – Fri: 9am – 6pm
Evening slots available by arrangement

Existing Clients

Client Portal

Consent forms, billing & scheduling via SimplePractice.

Open Portal →

New Clients

GLP-1 & Weight Management Journey Intake

Helps Marni understand your background, medication history, and goals before your first session.

🔒 Confidential & HIPAA-protected via SimplePractice