The Counseling Center For Change, Dawn A O'Meally, Lcsw-C, PA and Assoc.

03/10/2026

💬 “There is a real richness, depth, and camaraderie in this group. Hearing other women’s experiences helped normalize my own, and Dawn offered clear guidance that helped me better understand and manage my anxiety.” — C., Maryland

Anxiety can feel overwhelming, isolating, and exhausting. But you don’t have to manage it alone.

Our Women’s Anxiety Relief Group is a supportive 10-week program designed to help you understand your anxiety, calm your mind, and build practical tools that actually work in everyday life.

Together we’ll learn how to:
✨ Identify anxiety triggers and unhelpful thought patterns
✨ Stop cycles of worry and rumination
✨ Use cognitive-behavioral tools that reduce anxiety
✨ Build self-compassion and emotional resilience
✨ Create daily habits that support calm and confidence

This small, supportive group blends practical skills with real connection so you can begin feeling more grounded and in control.

🗓 10-Week Women’s Anxiety Relief Group
📍 Virtual via Zoom
🕕 Tuesdays | 6:00 – 7:30 PM
💳 Maryland insurance accepted
You don’t have to keep carrying anxiety on your own. 💜

👇 Comment “CHANGE” if you’re interested in learning more about joining the next group.

anxietyrecovery

03/02/2026

Weight loss surgery changes your stomach.

It doesn’t automatically change the reasons food became comfort in the first place.
And that’s not failure — it’s psychology.

Many people don’t struggle with food because of a lack of willpower. They struggle because food has served a purpose:

✔ calming anxiety
✔ coping with grief
✔ managing ADHD dopamine swings
✔ soothing loneliness
✔ regulating overwhelming emotions

After bariatric surgery, food volume decreases — but emotions, stress, habits, and nervous system patterns don’t just disappear. Sometimes they actually become louder.

The patients who thrive long-term aren’t the ones who rely on surgery alone.

They’re the ones who understand this truth:

👉 Surgery is a tool. Not a cure.

Real transformation happens when you work on both:
the body and the mind.
You are not just managing calories.
You are learning to regulate your nervous system — and that changes everything. 💜
If you’re preparing for surgery (or adjusting after), you don’t have to figure this out alone.

✨ Save this post for later — this is the part of the journey people don’t talk about enough.

💬 Which part surprised you most — that surgery doesn’t fix emotional eating, anxiety, or something else?

02/25/2026

A note from Dawn: There are moments in this work that remind me exactly why I do what I do. 💜

Not long ago, I met with a pre-op bariatric patient for her psychological evaluation. At the time, her anxiety and depression symptoms were significant. As much as she wanted surgery, I could not initially clear her.

And here’s the important part — she didn’t give up.

Instead, she agreed to do the work. Together, we created a treatment plan focused on stabilizing her mood and challenging the negative thinking patterns that had been running in the background for years.

Over the next few months, she committed to individual therapy, completed CBT homework assignments, and joined my 11 Weeks to Self-Esteem group. She also partnered with her primary care provider to optimize her medication.

And slowly… things shifted.

Recently she told me:

“I feel so much better. I never realized how negative I was. I can see it now — the blinders are off. I haven’t been crying. I can’t believe it. Even my mother finds it amazing. I know if I don’t take my medications, I might be more sensitive to things and lose control of my emotions. I think I am ready for Bariatric Surgery now. I have been doing everything I am supposed to do — eating every 4 hours, getting in protein, and exercising.”

This is what preparation looks like. Not perfection. Not rushing. But insight. Stability. Responsibility. Growth.

Surgery changes your stomach.

The work changes your mindset.

When patients are willing to pause, build emotional resilience, and strengthen their thinking patterns before surgery day — outcomes change.

And that is the kind of transformation I love to witness. 💜

02/22/2026

What if your motivation didn’t have to come from self-criticism?

What if growth didn’t require shame?

Beginning March 5, I’m leading a 12-week therapy group based on The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook by Kristin Neff & Christopher Germer.

This group is designed to help you:
• Respond to difficult emotions without shutting down�• Stop spiraling after mistakes�• Reduce perfectionism-driven burnout�• Strengthen distress tolerance�• Build resilience rooted in compassion

Thursdays 7:30 - 9:00 PM�Online via Zoom�Maryland insurance accepted

You will leave with practical tools you can use for the rest of your life. Not temporary relief. Real skill-building.

If you’re located in Maryland and ready to do this work, schedule your screening call through the link below.

www.tcc4change.com/calendar/mindful-self-compassion-group

02/16/2026

Surgery is a powerful tool. But preparation is where transformation truly begins.

The patients who experience long-term success don’t just show up on surgery day — they train their mindset, habits, and emotional resilience beforehand.

“I didn’t just have surgery — I prepared for it.”

That’s the difference. 💜

LongTermSuccess

02/10/2026

Bariatric surgery is only 10% of your success.
The other 90%? No one really teaches you.

This video explains what most patients wish they had before surgery — and why mindset, habits, and emotional prep matter more than you think.

If you’re pre-op (or even post-op), this is worth watching!

Through this webinar, Dawn O'Meally LCSW-C, P.A, shares the same psychological framework and preparation strategies she has refined over nearly two decades o...

02/01/2026

Ready to commit to your transformation? Transform your mind and body before surgery

If you are preparing for bariatric surgery, you may not know, but isn’t just about what happens in the operating room—it’s about what happens before it, mentally and emotionally.

The Bariatric Success Blueprint is a 12-week cognitive-behavioral training program designed specifically for motivated pre-op patients who want to feel confident, prepared, and in control before surgery day.

🗓 Start Date: February 12, 2026
🔄 Rolling Enrollment: Join at any point in your pre-op journey
⏰ Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM (EST)
💻 Format: Live on Zoom
💳 Cost: Maryland insurance only

Why join?
Surgery changes your stomach—this program changes your mindset.

You’ll join a small, supportive group of other pre-op patients who are preparing mentally, emotionally, and physically for surgery. Together, you’ll build the habits, confidence, and resilience needed for long-term success after surgery—not just short-term results.

What you’ll learn

✔️ How to develop a strong, surgery-ready mindset
✔️ How to create habits that actually stick
✔️ How to overcome fear, self-doubt, and emotional eating
✔️ How to stay motivated and accountable week-to-week

What’s included

• Pre-op psychological evaluation (included)
• Weekly 90-minute live group sessions
• Cognitive-behavioral skills training
• Homework and reflection exercises
• Weekly accountability check-ins
• Progress milestones and rewards
• A supportive community of like-minded pre-ops
• Expert coaching from Dawn O’Meally, LCSW-C

You’ll also receive Dawn’s signature Bariatric Success Blueprint Checklist — Ready, Set, Go: A Checklist for Bariatric Surgery Success! — to help you stay organized, confident, and on track every step of the way.

If you’re serious about long-term success after surgery, this program will prepare your mind, body, and habits for the journey ahead.

⚠️ Spots are limited for the first pilot group

Transform your mind and body before surgery Start date: February 12, 2026 - Rolling enrollment (join at any point in your pre-op journey) Time: 6:00 - 7:30 PM (EST) Format: Live on Zoom Price: Maryland Insurance Only Registration form below (bottom of page) Why join the Bariatric Succes

01/29/2026

Preparing for bariatric surgery involves more than physical readiness—it also requires emotional and psychological support.

At The Counseling Center for Change, we provide comprehensive Bariatric Pre-Psych Evaluations and ongoing support services to help you feel confident, prepared, and supported throughout your journey.

✔ No waitlist
✔ Timely evaluations
✔ Compassionate, experienced clinicians

Schedule your evaluation today and take the next step toward lasting change.

www.tcc4change.com
443-590-0030

01/21/2026

✨ Meet Dana ✨

Dana has been a valued member of The Counseling Center for Change for over 12 years and is truly the heart of our day-to-day operations. Working closely with all of our therapists, she helps keep schedules full, organized, and running smoothly.

Often referred to as the “Swiss-army knife” of the practice, Dana handles appointment scheduling, insurance verification, pre-authorizations, payroll, appointment confirmations, and even proofreading bariatric reports. Her attention to detail and dedication ensure that both clients and clinicians feel supported every step of the way.

Dana’s behind-the-scenes work makes a tremendous difference, and we are incredibly grateful for all she does to keep The Counseling Center for Change running seamlessly.

💚 Change begins today.

01/19/2026

✨ Meet Braedyn ✨

Braedyn is a mental health therapist who earned her LGPC from Messiah University, along with an undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Science, with a minor in Counseling/Pre-therapy. She brings a thoughtful, developmentally informed approach to supporting individuals through life’s challenges.

Born and raised in Maryland, Braedyn enjoys staying active—spending summers at the beach and winters on the slopes. A former collegiate volleyball player, she continues to coach and play, bringing teamwork, resilience, and dedication into her work. She is married to her high school sweetheart, and together they love to travel, garden, have bonfires, go camping, and stargaze.

Braedyn’s faith is central to her life and values, and she is guided by compassion, forgiveness, and a deep respect for others as she supports clients in their growth and healing.

💚 Change begins today.

01/15/2026

✨ Meet Carole ✨

Carole Shelton, MSW, LCSW-C, is a licensed therapist with over 30 years of clinical social work experience, serving diverse populations across private practice, governmental settings, and federal-level social work.

Carole brings a grounded, compassionate approach to therapy, guided by her core values of commitment, honesty, and gratitude. She is deeply motivated by helping others grow, find clarity, and move forward toward better things—always with the goal of positively impacting each person she works with.

Outside of her work, Carole finds joy and renewal near the water—boating, swimming, fishing, and simply watching water activities. She also values family time and spiritual growth, which continue to shape both her life and her work. Her Christian faith is an important foundation in who she is and how she shows up for others.

💚 Change begins today.

01/14/2026

✨ Meet Donna ✨

Donna Chioke-Colbert, MSW, LCSW-C, is a licensed mental health therapist and psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience in the field. She has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2004 and clinically licensed since 2007.

Donna has worked in a wide range of roles including case manager, therapist, and residential program director, serving individuals living with HIV, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, those experiencing medical illness, and individuals facing homelessness. She also has experience supporting children and families within the foster care system.

A graduate of Yeshiva University, Donna brings a compassionate, balanced approach to therapy rooted in her belief in the dignity and worth of every person. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family, practicing yoga, investing, and creatively unwinding by painting (with a little Georgia O’Keeffe inspiration). Her faith and the example set by her late mother—her personal hero—continue to guide her life and work.

💚 Change begins today.