WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THEY IMPACT YOUR ABILITY TO MANAGE YOUR HEALTH, I PROVIDE COUNSELING FOR:
- DEPRESSION + BURNOUT
- ANXIETY + PERFECTIONISM
- BINGE EATING DISORDER + OTHER DISORDERED EATING HABITS
- DISTRESS RELATED TO A HEALTH CONDITION
- DIFFICULTY ACCEPTING THE DIAGNOSIS/DENIAL + DIFFICULTY ADJUSTING DUE TO A HEALTH CONDITION, STRESS OR TRAUMA
- GRIEF + LOSS
- RELATIONSHIP DIFFICULTIES + PARENTING
- SLEEP ISSUES
- LIFE TRANSITIONS
- BARIATRIC PRE-SURGICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS + PREPARATION
- HEALTH COACHING (SEE FAQS AND COACHING)
DID YOU KNOW?
- Emotional wellbeing is an important part of diabetes care and self-management.
- The relationship between mental health (including stress) and physical symptoms is well known and accepted in modern healthcare.
- Diabetes distress is a common condition that results from the daily burdens of living with this complex disease. It’s a part of having diabetes itself!
- Depression affects 1 in 4 people with diabetes and compromises your ability to manage your health.
- Anxiety and disordered eating occur at higher rates among people with diabetes.
- Psychosocial interventions, like counseling, have been shown to improve A1C.
DEAL WITH DIABETES DISTRESS AND DIABETES BURNOUT
Diabetes distress is a common condition that results from the daily burdens of living with this complex disease. It’s a part of having diabetes itself. The rollercoaster of emotions and endless daily demands are an added frustration in your busy life and, at times, seems impossible to manage. Learning and maintaining the lifestyle needed for optimal diabetes control is no easy task. And, managing your mental health is just as important as monitoring blood glucose and taking medications. Create a plan for how you want diabetes to fit into your life.
ACCEPT THE DIAGNOSIS
Whether you are newly diagnosed or not, the reality of diabetes is a tough reality to accept. It can be overwhelming and scary, and often comes with other emotions like guilt. Work through emotions tied to diabetes and accept that diabetes does not define you.
MANAGE STRESS
Stress is a part of everyday life. Stress also raises blood glucose. Many struggle to manage stress effectively or opt for unhealthy means of coping (i.e. comfort food, alcohol), which means more problems for diabetes. Identify ways to deal with stress is important for your health and diabetes.
CONTROL DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, OR DISORDERED EATING
Certain mental health conditions occur at higher rates in people with diabetes and are known to compromise one’s ability to manage your health. Depression affects 1 in 4 people with diabetes and, to make things worse, many antidepressants cause weight gain. Anxiety occurs at higher rates among people with diabetes. Many psychotherapy strategies are effective in treating these concerns.
ENHANCE YOUR WELLBEING
We live in a busy world. Work-life-family-health balance is tough to achieve. Diabetes makes it even more challenging. We all know that we need to eat right, exercise and take your meds, but, let’s be honest, it’s easier said than done. And it looks different for everyone. Go from what to how. Explore strategies, discuss logistics, problem-solve and make a plan.
IMPROVE EATING HABITS AND CONTROL DISORDERED EATING
Disordered eating occur at higher rates among people with diabetes. Habits and patterns surrounding eating can either set you up for success or for an ongoing struggle. Dissect your own eating habits (choices, timing, awareness of hunger, etc.) and learn strategies for success. Tackle struggles with stress eating, emotional eating, social eating, and binge eating.
WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
Not everyone with diabetes struggles to manage their weight but many do. If that’s you, your doctor probably told you that losing weight would improve your diabetes. It can help to avoid or delay complications.
BARIATRIC PRE-SURGICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS AND COACHING/COUNSELING PRE- AND POST-OP
Pre-surgical psychological assessments for weight loss surgery is a necessary part of the bariatric process. If you are considering bariatric surgery, it is important that you obtain not only clearance but behavioral recommendations on areas of improvement.
Pre-surgical behavioral health coaching or counseling can provide you with the support and strategies to address areas of concern, giving you the greatest chances of success with weight loss surgery. Many folks also benefit from post-op support to stay on track and deal with emotions that are often involved in the bariatric journey.