People don’t usually think of post-traumatic stress as a potential reaction to a change in health status; however, there is ample evidence that coping with a significant and life-threatening medical diagnosis or chronic illness and/or pain can be associated with stress, anxiety, and trauma-related symptoms.
As a trained Health Psychologist, Dr. Buchanan has a deep understanding of how unwanted and/or unexpected physical health changes, (i.e., new medical diagnosis, such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer; perimenopause or menopause; chronic illness or acute or chronic pain; impact of COVID-19), can profoundly affect emotional health and well-being.
She also understands that the way we cope with changes to our physical health can affect the severity and/or duration of our physical health condition. Juli has the knowledge and expertise required to assist people in developing active, effective strategies for coping with changes to their physical health status. She also recognizes that new diagnoses, chronic illness, and chronic pain often necessitate health behavior change, and she knows that changing health behaviors is HARD. Juli will provide a supportive, judgment-free space for emotional processing (i.e., following new diagnosis or injury, coping with chronic illness and/or chronic pain), adjustment to difficult treatment regimens or procedures (i.e., chemotherapy, infusions, mastectomy, hysterectomy, etc.), reduction or elimination of behaviors that interfere with optimal health (i.e., smoking and/or overeating/binge eating), and incorporation of health-promoting behaviors (i.e., exercise, meditation, stress management).
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Dr. Juli Buchanan.