Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes, LCSW is a bariatric therapist who blends clinical expertise with lived experience. Ashlyn had bariatric surgery herself more than a decade ago and understands firsthand how much courage, preparation, and emotional work it takes to create lasting change. Her own journey taught her that weight loss surgery is never just a medical decision - it’s a full-life shift that touches identity, relationships, daily habits, and the way a person sees themselves.

Because she couldn’t find a therapist who understood bariatrics when she needed one, Ashlyn set out to become the provider she wished she’d had. Today, she focuses her entire clinical work on supporting bariatric clients through the emotional side of surgery: preparing for the mental and behavioral changes ahead, navigating the ups and downs after surgery, and building long-term habits that feel steady and sustainable.

Ashlyn provides presurgical psychological evaluations and post-op counseling for individuals and couples. Her approach is collaborative, practical, and empowering, helping clients understand their patterns, develop new skills, and feel supported through every stage of the process.

Above anything else, Ashlyn cares deeply about helping people feel less alone in a journey that can be both exciting and overwhelming. She brings warmth, honesty, and a genuine love for this work to every session.

Jessica Mauger, LCSW is a bariatric-focused therapist who brings deep clinical expertise and a true love for working with this population. Jessica has completed hundreds of presurgical psychological assessments and is known for her calm, thorough, and supportive approach that helps clients feel informed and at ease throughout the process. She is also bilingual and provides evaluations in Spanish, ensuring that more patients can access care in the language that feels most comfortable to them.

Although Jessica is not a bariatric patient herself, she has spent years immersed in this work and has developed a genuine appreciation for the courage, vulnerability, and strength it takes to pursue weight loss surgery. She believes that each client deserves to feel respected, prepared, and fully understood as they move toward such a meaningful life change.

Jessica shows up with curiosity, compassion, and a steady presence, creating a space where clients can openly talk about their hopes, fears, habits, and long-term goals. Her priority is helping people feel supported rather than judged, and making sure every evaluation feels like a collaborative conversation — not a test.

Iliana Torres, LMHC is a bariatric therapist who shows up with both professional training and personal understanding. After earning her Master’s in Counseling from Palm Beach Atlantic University in 2011, Iliana built a career dedicated to helping people through some of their most challenging moments from working in residential treatment with teens to supporting children and families in Title One schools. That foundation shaped her into a therapist who is compassionate, steady, and deeply attuned to the emotional lives of the people she serves.

Iliana’s passion for bariatric mental health comes from her own journey. As a post-op bariatric patient for the past eight years, she knows what it feels like to rebuild habits, shift identity, and navigate the mental and relational changes that come with significant weight loss. Her personal experience allows her to connect with clients in a way that feels validating, grounded, and real.

She is trained to complete presurgical psychological evaluations and to support clients before and after bariatric surgery. Iliana blends clear guidance with genuine warmth, helping clients feel prepared, supported, and understood as they move through every stage of the process.

Iliana believes that bariatric patients deserve therapists who truly get it, both the victories and the challenges. Her goal is to make sure no one has to walk this road alone.