Why do you specialize in women’s mental health?
https://unsplash.com/@accuray
Women’s health is vital to the well being of each woman. Conditions like endometriosis affect 1 in 10 women yet it is still massively underfunded and misunderstood. Invisible conditions, like adenomyosis, endometriosis, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or chronic fatigue syndrome impact every aspect of a woman’s life. These conditions can take years and countless medical providers to obtain a correct diagnosis and proper treatment.
Debilitating pain impacts one’s basic activities of daily living, like cooking a meal or cleaning the house. Sleep can become elusive due to the intensity of pain. Relationships and friendships can suffer, due to the misunderstandings of the chronic condition and inability to show up like she “used to”. Work accommodations can become necessities-work may look very different with disabling pain or illness.
It is understandable that with all of these changes, a woman’s mental health may suffer, feeling more anxious or depressed. Living life with a chronic illness comes with its own grief, pain and adjustments. I view my role as a mental health provider specializing in women’s health to be a part of your team-a team that can walk with you through your grief, support you and help you find your joy within this pain.
Individual Counseling for Women with Chronic Illness and Chronic Pain in Washington DC
https://unsplash.com/@brucemars
Therapy for Anxiety with Chronic Illness
Living with chronic illness is correlated with higher levels of anxiety. The unknown of when flare ups will occur, fear of more pain, anxious thoughts surrounding new medical treatments or providers are all valid and understandable. Trauma informed CBT and mindfulness techniques can help validate that these are real fears, while also giving tools to help turn the volume of the anxiety down.
Therapy for Medical Trauma
Invasive medical treatments are a reality for women navigating life with chronic pain. Repeated, painful gynecological exams and surgeries become routine. Painful physical treatments or trial and error of medications are the norm. These repeated experiences can create medical trauma and symptoms associated with traumatic experiences. Grounding techniques, mindfulness, and trauma informed CBT can help you navigate symptoms of medical trauma amidst ongoing treatment.
Therapy for Infertility & Pregnancy Loss
The physical and psychological toll that fertility treatments can take on women is immense. Pregnancy loss, at any stage of pregnancy, can be traumatic, lonely and isolating. For women who are trying to start their family or trying to expand their family, therapy can be a source of immense support in their grieving process and safe space to explore their pain. A mental health therapist supporting women’s health can walk with you through your grief.
Therapy for Birth Trauma
The assumption with childbirth is that all will end with healthy baby and mom. Birth trauma is not always spoken about and the events can create isolation, pain and shame. Stillbirth, traumatic delivery, emergency cesarean section or a baby’s stay in the NICU are all traumatic events. Mothers deserve support to navigate the grief and pain of these experiences. Therapy can be part of your medical team to help you navigate the birth trauma, process your grief and gain coping skills to manage the traumatic experiences.
Group Therapy for Women with Chronic Pain and Chronic Illness in Washington DC
https://unsplash.com/@jmuniz
Group therapy led by a licensed mental health therapist can be an empowering, moving experience for women navigating chronic illness and chronic pain. In our 6 week therapist led online group, women in their 20s and 30s navigating chronic illness can join together each week to share their experiences, feel seen, feel heard and gain life long skills. Chronic illness and chronic pain is an isolating, painful journey at times. These groups allow you to find other women who just “get it”. No explanations or education is needed within that space.
In addition to finding support and sharing encouraging words, women in the therapy group gain trauma informed Cognitive Behavior Therapy skills, mindfulness techniques, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy techniques and psychoeducation of the impact of the medical trauma on the nervous system.
Women Can Navigate Chronic Pain and Chronic Illness in Washington, DC with Support
Having the right support in place can make all the difference when navigating medical trauma with chronic illness or during pregnancy. At Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women, I specialize in helping women through medical trauma, birth trauma, and complex trauma. Together we can work through this and help you start thriving again. By working with a medical trauma therapist in Washington, DC, you can begin your journey to healing. Follow the steps below to get started on your journey to healing.
Get to know me here.
Fill out our convenient online mental health services contact form.
Find support to walk with you every step of the way.
Other Mental Health Services Offered in Washington DC by Women’s CBT
You deserve to feel understood, supported, and heard. You shouldn't have to face the unimaginable and then go through it alone. No matter what the unimaginable is, I am here to help. These services include therapy for anxiety and depression in both Individual and Women’s Support Groups. I also specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, CPT for Medical Trauma, Perinatal Therapy, PTSD Treatment, and Therapy for Chronic Illness. For more helpful information check out my blogs and videos! All services are offered online in Washington DC, Virginia, and New York.