Your weight loss progress depends on more than a prescription.
In-person medical care and behavioral treatment focused on understanding how you’re responding and what may need attention next.
Private-Pay | FSA & HSA Accepted |Farmington, MI & Metro Detroit
What may be affecting your weight loss progress?
Weight loss can be influenced by more than one thing at a time. We look at the areas that may be shaping your progress so we can collaboratively figure out what to focus on.
How you’re responding to treatment
Changes in appetite, side effects, tolerability, medication response, rate of weight loss, and whether progress has slowed or plateaued.
Eating and nutrition
Protein intake, meal patterns, food choices, hunger and fullness, nutrient intake, tracking data when useful, and whether reduced appetite is making it harder to eat enough of what you need.
What happens in day-to-day life
Stress, sleep, activity, emotional eating, all-or-nothing thinking, disrupted routines, planning, motivation, and what tends to happen when you get off track.
We look at your progress from two different angles.
Your physician looks at how you’re responding medically, including medication response, side effects, labs when needed, and changes in weight over time. Your therapist looks at eating patterns, stress, routines, sleep, activity, and the behavioral factors that may be affecting progress.
The Medical Side
Jason Hawkins, D.O.
Dr. Hawkins handles the medical side of the program, from the initial evaluation through medication decisions and follow-up. His role is focused specifically on weight management and does not replace your primary-care clinician.
- Medical weight-management evaluation
- Medication decisions, including whether medication is appropriate at all
- Dosing and adjustments over time
- Relevant labs when needed
- Monitoring how you’re responding to treatment
- Managing side effects as treatment changes
The Behavioral Side
Zeina Ghoul Ph.D., L.P.C.
With a PhD in Counselor Education, a degree in Nutrition & Food Science, and research experience in sleep and stress, Dr. Ghoul focuses on the behavioral factors that may be affecting weight-loss progress. She works with eating patterns, emotional or reward eating, routines, planning, stress, sleep, activity, and what tends to happen when someone gets off track.
- Behavioral assessment to understand what may be affecting your progress
- An individualized Behavioral Weight Map based on your patterns and barriers
- Short experiments to test changes rather than assume the same strategy works for everyone
- Eating patterns, emotional or reward eating, planning, routines, stress, sleep, and activity
- What happens when routines break down, and how you tend to respond afterward
- Meal tracking when the information is actually useful
- Maintenance and recovery planning before problems become bigger setbacks
The Program
Three phases, changing as your needs change
01 · Foundation 12 weeks · more frequent visits
Establish medical treatment, assess how you’re responding, and look at the eating, behavioral, and day-to-day factors that may be affecting progress. We begin adjusting the plan based on what we find and start thinking about maintenance from the beginning.
02 · Ongoing Care Monthly · while active treatment continues
For people who are still losing weight, adjusting medication, or working through specific barriers. Medical and behavioral follow-up continues, with the focus changing as your needs change.
03 · Maintenance Less frequent · when things are stable
As weight, treatment, and routines become more stable, visits can become less frequent. The focus shifts to maintaining what is working, noticing changes early, and increasing support again if needed.
Who is this program for?
This is a program designed for people who value time, continuity, and more direct involvement from their clinicians. If your main goal is finding the lowest-cost source of medication, there are other options that may be a better fit.
You want more than a prescription
You want to understand what may be affecting progress, not only receive medication.
You prefer in-person medical care
You value face-to-face visits with the clinicians managing your weight-loss treatment.
You want a hands-on approach
You value regular follow-up, accountability, and more involvement from the same clinicians over time.
You value clinical expertise
You want medical care from a physician and behavioral care from a licensed mental-health counselor.
Previous results didn't meet expectations
You’ve plateaued, lost less than expected, or want to understand why progress has changed.
You’re thinking long term
You want a plan that considers maintenance, setbacks, and what happens after the first phase of treatment.
Getting Started
Your first appointment is approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours and includes time with both clinicians. The goal is to understand where you are starting medically and what may be affecting your progress outside of the medical visit.
01 Medical Evaluation
You'll meet with the physician to review your health and weight history, previous treatments, current medications, goals, and how you have responded to past approaches. You’ll discuss treatment options, whether medication is appropriate, and whether labs or other medical information are needed.
02 Behavioral Assessment
You’ll also meet with the behavioral clinician to look at eating patterns, stress, sleep, activity, routines, previous weight-loss attempts, and other factors that may be affecting progress. This helps determine what the behavioral part of your plan should focus on
$400
Private pay HSA/FSA accepted. Medication and outside laboratory costs are separate. If you have health insurance it can be used for medication and labs.
What happens after the evaluation
If you decide to continue, we’ll review the recommended next phase of care and the cost before you enroll. Behavioral follow-up visits are typically about 30 minutes. Medical follow-ups are up to 30 minutes, with timing and frequency depending on how treatment is progressing and what needs attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
More questions? Please email us at clinicalteam@azothallspiritus.
Cost & Logistics
Yes. Weekly medical and behavioral visits are conducted in person at our Farmington office.
The medical weight-management program is private pay. HSA and FSA payments are accepted. We will review costs with you before you decide whether to continue with the program.
No. Professional fees, medication, and outside laboratory costs are separate. Medication costs vary depending on the treatment selected, and any recommended testing will be discussed with you.
No. Medical care through this program is limited to weight management. You should continue seeing your primary-care clinician for routine care and medical concerns outside the scope of the program.
About the Program
No. Medication is one possible part of weight-management treatment, not a requirement for everyone. Your physician will review your history, goals, and treatment options with you and determine whether medication is appropriate.
Your first appointment is approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours and includes time with both clinicians. You’ll first meet with the physician for a medical weight-management evaluation, followed by a behavioral assessment looking at eating patterns, stress, sleep, activity, routines, previous weight-loss attempts, and other factors that may be affecting progress.
That depends on where you are in treatment. Some people continue with monthly medical and behavioral visits while they are still losing weight or adjusting treatment. As things become more stable, visits can become less frequent and the focus shifts toward maintenance.
You can still be evaluated for the program if you’re already using a GLP-1 medication. Your physician will review your current treatment, response, side effects, and medical history before determining what, if anything, should change