29 Jun Whole-Body Counseling: Mind-Body-Spirit Medicine
For many people, basic health maintenance includes an annual checkup with a primary care physician and a couple of visits a year with a dentist. But how many of you include regular visits with a mental health counselor to your regular health plan?
Counseling support is every bit as important to good health as getting a physical check-up or getting your blood pressure taken.
Mental health counseling can be especially beneficial if you’re dealing with chronic or acute pain, which can bring emotional repercussions such as depression, anger and isolation. In turn, these emotional responses can exacerbate pain. For example, if you tend to isolate yourself when you feel pain, that may increase the pain or decrease your ability to cope with the pain.
Mind, body, emotions and spirit are all linked. We ask the questions: How does that affect your life? How does it make you feel? How does it affect your day-to-day routine?
Mental Health Counseling is Just One Piece
Patients with chronic health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease also can significantly benefit from counseling.
Bastyr Center’s counseling teams focus on the connection between emotional and physical health. They have expertise in dealing with people whose mental distress may be the result of:
Chronic health problems
Chronic pain
Work-related stress
Relationship issues
Lifestyle issues
I can help you integrate counseling with naturopathic medicine, acupuncture and nutrition visits…I’m in the habit of integrating care simply because we have it available in Vancouver and it’s really helpful.
Even if someone doesn’t have a particular reason to start counseling, or if they just want to experience it, this summer is a great time to try it.
To make an appointment to discuss your health with me, call 604-224-2124.