Health Psychology
Health Psychology refers to the application of psychological knowledge and skills to the promotion and maintenance of health, the prevention and treatment of illness, and the identification of determinants of health and illness. Most health psychologists practice within what is called a biopsychosocial framework which addresses the interactions of psychological, social, cultural, and biological factors as they relate to physical health and emotional wellbeing.
As a psychologist authorized in both clinical and health psychology, I have extensive training and experience providing psychology services for children and adolescents struggling with:
Adjustment to and coping with chronic illness / medical diagnosis / physical differences
Chronic or recurrent pain management (e.g., migraines, abdominal pain)
Elimination problems (encopresis and other toileting issues)
Functional disorders
Medical-related anxiety / medical trauma
Non-pharmacological management of impairing physical symptoms (e.g., pain, nausea)
Non-adherence to medical treatment plans
Psychological preparation for invasive medical procedure (e.g., surgery; organ transplant)
Psychological / mental health concerns that have developed within the context of a child’s medical journey
Psychosocial factors impacting physical health
Sleep difficulties (insomnia, sleep terrors, night awakenings, etc.)
Somatic symptoms (including pain, nausea) & somatic symptom disorders