HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
Receiving a new medical diagnosis can be a terrifying experience. It takes time to adjust to and learn about your diagnosis and often take a lot of growth along the path of healing. We possess specific skills for helping individuals and caregivers dealing with such issues. Health Psychology or Behavioral Medicine is the art of providing psychological services for those coping with an acute, chronic, or terminal medical issues and is a field of specialty for us. We also specialize in working with individuals who have faced medical traumas, frightening experiences you may have faced while receiving treatment at your doctor's office or at a hospital.
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We have helped many individuals and groups cope with new and ongoing medical illness including:
chronic pain
neurologic
autoimmune
Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
multiple sclerosis (MS)
Parkinsons
traumatic brain injury (TBI)
stroke
dementia
tinnitus
myasthenia gravis
cancer
HIV/AIDS
diabetes
allergies/asthma/eczema
weight management
Crohn's
colitis
irritable bowel symdrome (IBS)
headache
insomnia
sexual health issues
and many others
Do you feel tired, lonely, worried all the time, angry a lot, sad, like you need to constantly look over your shoulder, like your always concerned about what others think about you, frustrated with your relationships, or perhaps like no one is listening to you? You are not alone. We have helped countless others who feel similar to you.
The Story of Spoon Theory
The story of Spoon Theory is a very meaningful one for many people in the invisible disabilities community. It was developed in 2003 by Christine Miserandino who was living with a chronic medical condition. She was explaining to a friend in a restaurant about how her medical issues affect her on a daily basis. She found spoons at nearby tables to explain how with every small part of her day (getting dressed and ready for her day, feeding herself, responding to her own basic needs), she expended a lot of energy. Each spoon represented a bit of her energy and they disappeared quickly, leaving her with very little at the end of her day. This is what we understand that chronic illness does- leaves people feeling extremely fatigued, often with little energy to give to themselves and the others who matter in their lives. Sometimes these individuals call themselves "Spoonies" or refer to themselves as "Spoonless" in the wider world.