The Impact of Medical Trauma on Perinatal and Postpartum Mental Health

As a new or expecting mother, you may face several different medical traumas in the first year after having your baby. From pregnancy and birth complications to NICU stays and breastfeeding challenges, but also heartbreaking losses such as pregnancy loss, and stillbirth. All of these events can have a tremendous impact on your mental health, leaving you feeling powerless and unsupported. It can lead to a difficult time bonding with your baby, physical pain, as well as mental and emotional strain.

It doesn't always have to be what you have experienced physically either, it can be how you are spoken to or treated by the medical team. They may not have the best bedside manner, and that can take a toll on your mental health as well. It can make you feel anxious because if they're not going to take your concerns seriously, who will? Medical trauma can make an impact on your postpartum mental health which is already facing a lot of changes.

The Whole First Year Post Baby

Your body and mind have gone through a lot of changes in the first year post-baby. From pregnancy and labor to postpartum life with a newborn, there are a lot of transitions and new experiences to adapt to. All the while these transitions are happening, your mind and body are experiencing them in real-time. Your body and mind are experiencing the new life you’re bringing into this world, but also the medical traumas you may have gone through to do so.

Not to mention, your body and mind remember the events you have experienced and can remember the pain, fear, and anxiety associated with them. You may have experienced invasive procedures such as a C-section or emergency surgery. Or, you went through a long-intensive labor and it may have left you in pain and feeling like you have no control. Medical trauma is your body and mind’s reminder that these events have happened and can start your postpartum journey with a feeling of guilt, resentment, and even depression.

The Impact on Your Identity and Relationships

You might have already started to experience the changes in your identity since having a baby. You’re no longer just the independent working professional or full-time student, or even feeling like your pre-baby self. You are now a mom and all the changes that come with it, including medical trauma. This transition can be challenging as you're still trying to figure out who you are in all of this change. Then you're also faced with the medical trauma aspect that can bring up a whole other set of emotions.

These emotions can be overwhelming. You may experience guilt, feeling like there was something more you could have done to prevent the medical trauma, or even feeling resentful for what happened. You love and cherish your new baby, but you are now left with pain and physical issues post-baby. It can cause a strain in bonding with your baby, or feel as if you are having a difficult time merging who you were before this new identity. Because a lot about you has changed since having a baby, the medical trauma can sometimes add an extra layer of difficulty.

Your Relationship With Your Partner

The medical trauma and the postpartum period as a whole can also affect your relationship with your partner. You both love and care for each other, but there is no denying the strain it can put on your relationship. After all, when you are needing to depend on someone else for assistance, it can be hard to feel like you still have your independence.

Maybe you knew there would be some degree of strain because you're introducing a newborn into your life, but medical trauma made it more complex. You may be feeling resentful towards your partner because you’re in pain, and they can't do anything to help relieve it or take it away.  There can also be other stressors that make you feel overwhelmed such as lack of sleep, physical exhaustion, hormones, and the guilt that comes with it. You just feel impacted by having a baby and the medical trauma that came with it.

The Relationship Between You and Your Baby

After enduring medical trauma, it can feel like you're struggling to bond with your baby. Maybe you had plans for an at-home birth but ended up needing to have a C-section or medical interventions. Or, you had a NICU stay and it was difficult to bond with your baby with them being in the hospital for so long. All of these experiences can have a lasting impact on your relationship with your baby, and it can feel like you are struggling to find the connection that you imagined.

However, even though you feel a disconnect, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have a bond with your baby. It may take time to find that connection and bond again. This can mean spending extra time with your baby or finding ways to have skin-to-skin contact in a way that is comfortable and safe for you both. You both went through an experience together that changed your lives and it’s natural to need extra time to process and heal from the trauma.

A Path Towards Healing

Although you may experience a lot of guilt, resentment, and other difficult emotions due to medical trauma in the first year post-baby, there are ways to start healing and finding peace. The most important part is that it helps you move forward and live a healthy life with your baby.  In a way that works best for you.

Find Support From Women's Support Groups

One of the best ways you can start to heal and work through your emotions is by getting support from other women who have gone through a similar experience. These experiences may not be identical but can still be very similar. Joining one of the pregnancy and postpartum support groups in Washington, DC can give you the opportunity to talk about your experiences. It also allows you to get advice from other women who understand what you're going through.

In women’s support groups, you can talk in a non-judgmental space without feeling judged or shamed. You can discuss any concerns and ask for resources from other women who have been through similar experiences. There, you will also have access to a medical trauma therapist who will be there to guide, help and provide support.

Talk to a Medical Trauma Therapist

If you’re experiencing severe medical trauma, it may be beneficial for you to speak with a medical trauma therapist in Washington, DC. They can provide you with the tools and resources to help process your experiences and learn how to cope with the trauma. For example, at my practice Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women, I specialize in working with women to help them process medical trauma and understand the power of postpartum care.

A beneficial part of therapy for medical trauma in Washington, DC is having access to therapy approaches that work specifically with trauma. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is one of the approaches that are extremely beneficial in decreasing symptoms of trauma. CPT is helpful for women with a history of medical trauma, birth trauma, and complex trauma. In therapy, you can work with your therapist to explore the issues and gain insight into them, understand them better, and find ways to cope with the residual pain and emotions.

Focus on Self-Care

It's okay to not be okay and to reach out for support when you need it. But, while seeking help from medical trauma therapists or joining a support group is essential, it's also important to find ways that bring you comfort and peace. This could be spending time outdoors, going on walks, reading books, or simply taking a few moments to be still and meditate. Finding time for yourself can help you manage stress and emotions, build resilience, and develop coping strategies. If you read this and thought to yourself “I could use some self-care”, that is totally okay. Take the time for yourself and make sure your well-being is a priority.

Begin Healing From Medical Trauma With a Medical Trauma Therapist in Washington, DC

You are so strong and resilient, and you have the power to heal. Living the best life with your baby is possible and the best way to start is by getting help from a medical trauma therapist in Washington, DC. Your struggles and trauma are real, and with the help of a therapist, you can start moving forward in your healing journey.  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 to start healing. Together we will walk through the pain and grief you are feeling and find a path toward healing. Follow the steps below to get started on your journey to healing.

1. Get to know me here.

2. Fill out our convenient online mental health services contact form.

3. Let’s start the journey toward healing together!

Other Mental Health Services Offered at Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women

You are a new mother and you deserve to enjoy the postpartum period with your baby. Having a therapist for women in Washington, DC, or New York City to help you feel validated, heard, and understood can be beneficial. Hi, I'm Kelsey Bates! I specialize in women’s health, which means I offer several mental health services geared toward helping women cope with medical trauma. At Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women, I offer an array of therapeutic services for anxiety, depression, and PTSD in both Individual and Group counseling settings. I also specialize in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy in addition to CBT.

What Can I Gain from an Online Support Group? Insights for Women Coping with Medical and Complex Trauma

You're a successful woman who has or continues to experience medical and/or complex trauma. You've heard of women's support groups before but you're so used to doing things on your own that you haven't taken the time to explore what support groups can offer. When you think about them, you have questions like "Will this really be helpful?" or "What can I gain from joining an online support group?"

Well, here's the thing: online women's support groups for medical and complex trauma connect you with other women who understand what you're going through. This can be a monumental concept after being dismissed by medical professionals, and maybe even friends and family. These online women's support groups offer a place to connect with people who just get it, even if they don't have the same diagnosis as you. This way you can gain the support and understanding you've been missing.

But it's not all about the connection. Women's support groups offer practical tools and information as well. So, in this blog, we'll discuss the specific ways an online support group can help you cope with medical and complex trauma.

You Will Have Access to Connection and Support

Connecting with people who have a similar diagnosis can be life-changing. It's not just about hearing someone say, "Me too!" It's also about being heard, seen, and understood. In a women's support group for medical or complex trauma, you can talk to other women who actually get it. These will be women who have been through invasive procedures, have experienced the dread and fear that can accompany a medical diagnosis, or have had to go through long periods of rehabilitation and recovery. You will no longer have to feel isolated and as if you are the only one going through it.

Tools to Use in Your Daily Life

In my women's support groups at Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women, you will be provided with tools that you can use in your everyday life. These tools are informed by my years of experience as a medical trauma therapist in Washington, DC.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT tools are ones that are realistic for you and other women to use each week. With CBT, you can learn about how to reframe limiting beliefs, create positive thinking patterns, and challenge thoughts that keep you from living your life to the fullest. When you've gone through medical and complex trauma, it can be hard to see yourself as more than a patient. CBT can show you that with the right tools, you have the power to become your own advocate and take action within yourself and in your life.

Mindfulness and Visualization

Mindfulness tools are also beneficial as they can help you learn to be more present in the moment and in your body. Mindfulness and visualization help you become more aware of your breath, body, and emotions. This can be a powerful way to help you process your trauma while also calming your nervous system down.

When your nervous system is calm, you will be able to process your trauma with greater ease. Visualization can also be a great way to work through memories or patterns from the past that are still floating around in your mind. Visualizing yourself in a safe and peaceful place can help your mind and body realize they are no longer in danger.

Psychoeducation

At Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women, not only will you have a medical trauma therapist but also a therapist for women in Washington, DC leading the group. Making sure whoever is leading the support groups is knowledgeable about medical trauma is important. Through psychoeducation, the group leader can provide insights into how trauma affects your brain and nervous system.

This way you can understand why you experience certain reactions when triggered, which can be incredibly validating. The therapist leading the support group can also support each individual through their journey of healing and recovery. You will have the support of a trauma-informed therapist and other women who understand in one place.

Specialized Support

When you're in a women's support group for medical and complex trauma, you are going to be able to access specialized support. You will not only have access to a medical trauma therapist who is passionate about helping women heal, but you will also have your peers. These peers are women who are further along in the journey or have started off differently and have resources to share. 

The benefit of a support group is sharing the knowledge and experience of everyone in it. You get to gain support from your peers who have faced a similar trauma, as well as from a mental trauma therapist, and learn from each perspective. Also, you get the chance to support other women who have been or are going through what you have. This is a powerful way to create meaningful connections and build relationships with other women in the group.

So, overall, online support groups are there to give you a chance to connect with other women who get it. You're able to do this alone but having the support of others who understand is invaluable. No longer will you have to feel isolated or feel dismissed by medical professionals. You will have a community of support and understanding, as well as tools to use in your daily life for coping with trauma.

Interested in Joining Online Women's Support Groups?

Gaining support when you have been through medical and complex trauma can help you feel so validated and heard. Your struggles are not invisible and you are in no way alone. At Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women, I created online women's support groups as a therapist for women in Washington, DC so women can come together and share their experiences. Medical and complex trauma is real and learning from each other can be life-changing. Follow the steps below to get started on your journey to healing.

1. Get to know me here.

2. Fill out our convenient online mental health services contact form.

3. Gain the support you deserve!

Other Mental Health Services Offered at Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women

You are highly successful but this doesn't mean that you have to do it alone. Having the support to validate your feelings surrounding your medical and/or complex trauma can be so beneficial. Hi, I'm Kelsey Bates! I specialize in women’s health, which means I offer several mental health services geared toward helping women cope with medical trauma. At Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women, I offer an array of therapeutic services for anxiety, depression, and PTSD in both Individual and Group counseling settings. I also specialize in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy in addition to CBT.

The Role of Online Therapy for Women in Supporting Women with Medical Trauma

It's no secret that medical trauma can be hard to cope with. It can cause a lot of anxiety to constantly face the need to get routine treatments, surgeries, bloodwork, and other medical procedures. All in the hopes of finding relief. But, sometimes, you wish someone understood what you're going through and could provide extra support.

This is where online women's therapy can help support you and other women who can relate to your experience. Everyone deserves to feel supported and understood, especially when it comes to medical trauma. You've been dismissed, misdiagnosed, and overlooked in the past. Now it's time for you to have someone who is going to listen, empathize, and understand your experience. This blog outlines the benefits of online therapy for women with medical trauma and how it can help you heal, recover, and find relief.

How Does Online Therapy For Women Help to Support Women With Medical Trauma?

You've often thought about going to therapy before but never had the time or were anxious thinking about a possible flare-up, or even worse, having to go through the whole process to find a good therapist who would understand you. So, where do you turn when you want to feel supported and have an understanding ear? You're used to your doctors dismissing your feelings and not giving you the time you need. Plus, your friends and family don't understand.

This is where online therapy for women can be beneficial.

It offers you a safe, caring place to talk about your medical trauma. When you work with a medical trauma therapist in New York, you'll be able to get the support and understanding you need. Your therapist will understand your experience, listen without judgment, and give you space to process your trauma. You've endured the repeated experiences of being discussed as a medical case study instead of receiving the emotional support you deserve. Now it's time to receive the attention, care, and understanding your mental health deserves.

The Benefits of Online Therapy For Women

Online therapy for women offers a range of benefits that are tailored to your individual needs. It provides a safe and comfortable environment for you to talk through your trauma and express your feelings. Other benefits of online therapy for women include:

Conserving Your Energy

When you already have to give all of your focus and energy to managing your medical trauma, it can be hard to focus on getting out of the house for an appointment. This can be the same way if you're a new mother or experiencing a difficult pregnancy. Sometimes, leaving the house takes more energy than you have available. With online therapy, you don't have to leave the comfort of your home to get the support and understanding you need.

Making Therapy Accessible

At times, in-person therapy is not accessible for people going through a variety of situations. Whether it be due to a difficult pregnancy, being postpartum, or experiencing chronic pain or illness, it is often hard to get out of the house. Or if you live in a more rural area where there is no access to quality mental health care. Online therapy for women offers you the opportunity to talk with someone without having to travel.

Also, at times, therapy offices can feel very hospital-like and it can be hard for some people to open up. You've already been frequently in the hospital like a second home and may not feel comfortable bearing your soul in a similar environment. When you choose online therapy for women, you'll be able to talk in a comfortable space of your choosing.

Easier to Attend and Incorporate into Your Schedule

With online therapy, you can connect to your appointment within minutes compared to driving to a therapist's office. This makes it easier to fit an appointment into your schedule. This means that you no longer have to take off work or rearrange your day just to make it to a session. When you are already someone who may have to be strategic about taking days off, this can make a huge difference.

Instead of taking a day off, you can attend therapy during your lunch break. Or instead of finding child care, you can find an hour in the afternoon or evening to attend therapy sessions. So, instead of spending that extra 30 minutes traveling, you can spend it on self-care, with your newborn, or simply doing whatever you'd like. This way you can get the support you need without giving you the anxiety of taking time away you don't have.

More Privacy

Do you ever feel anxious that you are going to run into someone you know in a therapist's waiting room? With online therapy, you don't have to worry about this. There's no waiting room, no additional people, and no traveling. This gives you the privacy and anonymity that is often hard to find in in-person therapy sessions. You can have your session from the comfort of your own home, office, or even bed if your chronic pain is too much to bear. All without having to worry about who may be seeing you.

Help Do Activities in Your Environment

When you're attending in-person therapy, you can talk about how you're overwhelmed with cleaning the bottles, organizing baby clothes, or creating a routine with things in your home. However, online therapy for women offers you the opportunity to ask questions and even do activities in your environment. Your therapist can work with you to organize your pre-baby clothes, do mom and baby bonding activities, and create a routine that fits you and your baby.

This method can be applied to any situation you're in to help make the most of your environment. If you are suffering from a chronic illness, your therapist can help you create activities that fit with your energy level and lifestyle. For example, you're wanting to go for a walk but can barely get out of bed. Your therapist may give you tips on how to do an in-bed yoga routine or use your furniture as a prop for stretching.

Online therapy supports women with medical trauma by giving them the support they may not be getting from other places in their lives. It allows you to talk about things that may be hard to discuss in person. You aren't just a medical patient but someone who is also navigating the world with feelings, an identity, and relationships. You can talk about these topics in a safe space surrounded by understanding and compassion.

Interested in Online Therapy For Women in New York?

Finding support when you're used to being dismissed can feel hard. However, you deserve to be heard, understood, and accepted. At Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women, I know your pain, feelings, and trauma are valid. I specialize in women's health and want to support you through every step of your journey to coping with medical trauma. Follow the steps below to get started on your journey to healing.

1. Get to know me here.

2. Fill out our convenient online mental health services contact form.

3. You deserve to be heard!

Other Mental Health Services Offered at Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women

You're not just a medical patient, but a woman with feelings, an identity, and relationships. All of this which I can help you navigate. Hi, I'm Kelsey Bates! I specialize in women’s health, which means I offer several mental health services geared toward helping women cope with medical trauma. At Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women, I offer an array of therapeutic services for anxiety, depression, and PTSD in both Individual and Group counseling settings. I also specialize in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy in addition to CBT.

Understanding the Impact of Medical Trauma on Women's Mental Health

You're a woman who has had to have many medical procedures, surgeries, and treatments over time. You’ve reached the point that you keep dreading all the tests you've had to go through, the bloodwork, and even the invasive procedures. It's all to get answers or to help you find some relief but it's given you medical trauma. In those moments, you're feeling overwhelmed. It's as if you're not safe from the pain in your body or the pain that is being inflicted on it by the doctors.

All of this being repeated and taking a toll over time, it can be hard to cope with. Especially if you're also experiencing a traumatic response from what your body now perceives as a threat. This takes a toll on your mental health. Not many people understand that, even medical providers at times. That's why in this blog post, I'll be discussing how to better understand the impact of medical trauma on women's mental health.

What Can Cause Medical Trauma?

Medical trauma can be caused by a variety of experiences. From giving birth to cancer to chronic pain and illnesses such as Fibromyalgia. It can also come from repeated dismissal of pain or illness by medical providers. Or even the repeated invasive medical procedures and surgeries that often come with chronic illnesses or chronic pain.

When you can't process this trauma and have to experience it repeatedly, it can have a lasting impact on your mental health. You may feel anxious, depressed, and even scared or apprehensive to the point that it begins to affect your daily life. Especially, if your feelings are being dismissed by the ones who are supposed to be helping you.

How Medical Trauma Can Affect Mental Health

Living in constant fear of medical tests and procedures, as well as the pain and discomfort associated with them, can have a significant impact on mental health. When you're a woman who has complex medical needs where you have to continuously seek medical attention or undergo invasive procedures, it can be very discouraging and overwhelming. You may begin to feel anxious and fearful of the future.

Traumatic Childbirth

Childbirth is an experience that can be traumatizing for some women. It can also be difficult to process the trauma and can lead to depression or postpartum depression and anxiety (PPD/A). 15-20% of women experience PPD/A, according to Postpartum Support International. This means it's not a rare occurrence and it's not something to be ashamed of.

Women who also had a traumatic birth can also experience PPTSD (Postpartum Traumatic Stress Disorder). This is due to the body going through intense trauma, whether it be a difficult labor, c-section, or other medical intervention. It can lead to flashbacks and other symptoms of PTSD. Even leading women to struggle to bond with their children and even reconsider expanding their families. Baby blues is extremely common and temporary, but PPD/A and PPTSD last longer and require support.

Perinatal and Postpartum

Women who are perinatal and postpartum are at higher risk of experiencing mental health issues due to medical trauma. This is because they're already going through immense physical and emotional changes. Perinatal women also can go through traumatizing medical interventions during pregnancy or even invasive ones during labor and delivery.

Postpartum women are also susceptible to medical trauma due to the chance of birth trauma or complications. These can be near death or serious injury to themselves or their baby. As well as ongoing medical issues during postpartum recovery. All of this on top of adjusting to motherhood and hormonal changes can increase the risk of depression and anxiety.

Chronic Illness and Pain

Women with chronic illness and pain can also experience medical trauma. From the constant pain and fatigue to being in and out of doctor's offices. It can be hard to process the psychological toll it takes on you along with the physical toll. You may feel helpless and like no one is taking your pain or illness seriously. Or that it's not being properly managed. Not to mention the constant blood draws, tests, and even surgeries that may come with living with a chronic illness or pain.

It's all a lot. It can cause a lot of anxiety, depression, and fear. You may have anxiety that you'll have flare-ups around an important event or milestone. Or that you will need more frequent trips to the doctor's office. That they will become more invasive without providing any relief.

What You Can Do for Support?

Online therapy or online women's support groups are great options for those dealing with medical trauma. Support groups can be an opportunity to talk about the assumptions that come with the territory of motherhood or chronic illness. Provide psychoeducation on what medical trauma is as well as normalize that any medical intervention can be traumatizing.

For example, the support groups can cover how any birth is technically a trauma to the body. Even if the outcome is a healthy baby and mom. As well as how to cope with medical anxiety and find ways to feel more in control of health. For women with chronic pain or illness, support groups can help reduce isolation and find ways to better advocate for themselves with doctors. As well as learn coping skills to deal with medical anxiety or depression.

Online Therapy

Online therapy for women in Maryland is also a great choice. One that provides an opportunity to speak to a medical trauma therapist in Washington, DC from the comfort of your home. Especially when you may not feel up to leaving the house or have childcare. It can help process traumatic experiences, find coping skills for anxiety or depression, and feel heard. When dealing with the demands of motherhood, pain, illness, and trauma, saving time and energy for self-care is important. Overall, seeking professional support can help you feel less alone and find healing.

Begin Therapy For Medical Trauma in Washington, DC to Cope, Heal, and Thrive!

Understanding how medical trauma affects women's mental health is key. It can be hard to find support when you're used to other providers not taking your pain, illness, or trauma seriously. But at Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women, I know your pain, feelings, and trauma are valid. I'm here to support you on your journey of healing, coping with medical trauma, and building self-confidence so that you can thrive in your life. Follow the steps below to get started on your journey to healing.

1. Get to know me here.

2. Fill out our convenient online mental health services contact form.

3. Feel supported, heard, and understood today!

Other Mental Health Services Offered at Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women

You deserve to be treated by someone who understands and believes your pain and trauma. Especially without judgment. I am an expert that specializes in women's health and understand that you may be seeking other services besides the support group. At Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women, I offer an array of therapeutic services for anxiety, depression, and PTSD in both Individual and Group counseling settings. I also specialize in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy in addition to CBT.

Online Support Groups for Women with Complex and Medical Trauma in Washington, DC

You're a high-achieving woman who has to have everything in order. Otherwise, you feel anxious and as if everything could fall apart. You have a lot of responsibilities that rest on your shoulders. Which leads you to give it your all to do them perfectly to ensure you are successful in your life. You're juggling work, family time and commitments, self-care, leisure activities, and more.

However, it feels like once you get everything your chronic pain and chronic illness become a barrier to your success. They make you feel as if you have to struggle to continue living your life and achieving your goals. It makes you feel so isolated because it is hard to explain how you're feeling. This is why joining an online support group for women with complex and medical trauma in Washington, DC can be beneficial.

How Do These Support Groups for Young Adults with Chronic Illness and Pain Support Women?

When you're navigating your chronic illness and chronic pain alone, it can feel isolating and as if you're the only one navigating this. An online support group specifically for women who may not have the same diagnosis but understand the emotional and physical toll of chronic disease, illness, or pain (or all three) can be incredibly beneficial.

Online Support Groups Can Provide You With a Space to Talk to Other Women Who Understand and Can Validate Your Feelings.

They can also provide you with emotional and mental support and even guidance. The groups are led by a licensed therapist and can not only give you a place to give and get emotional support but gain tools to use in your everyday life. These tools will actually help you manage your emotions in a healthier and more productive way. For example, no more overworking yourself to the point of exhaustion, no more avoiding your needs to please everyone else, and no more feeling helpless.

The way that medical trauma becomes complex trauma is when the condition is chronic and leads to repeated invasive exams, painful treatments, surgeries, and appointments. All of which can lead to a lot of pain and stress. It can feel as if your boundaries are being invaded or that you are no longer in control of your own body. An online support group can be a place to talk, vent, and ask questions. It will validate your feelings and help you manage them in a healthier manner with other women who understand.

What Do These Women's Support Groups Do to Support These Women and Their Medical and Complex Trauma?

In these support groups, women with medical and complex medical trauma with chronic illness and chronic pain will learn about a variety of skills to help support them. These skills will be targeted to help these women become more resilient and cope with the daily challenges they may face. Our goal in helping women learn these skills in these support groups is so that they don't feel stuck in the moment of their chronic pain and chronic illness flare-ups. Instead, they can stay connected to their power and agency as a woman.

Mindfulness Skills

Women in these online support groups will learn mindfulness skills such as breathing techniques, visualizations, and meditations. Mindfulness is known to reduce anxiety and helps to ground and center a person by bringing their attention to the present moment. This can be beneficial when medical and complex trauma is at its worst because it keeps a person from ruminating on their pain or illness and helps them stay present.

CBT Skills

Women in these groups will also learn Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) skills. They will learn about cognitive distortions. For example, these can look like, "I will never get better" or "I'm not good enough." Learning how to create new neural pathways in their brains with more helpful thoughts to get "unstuck" from their pain.

Distress Tolerance

It can be exhausting enduring the chronic pain and chronic illness flare-ups and the medical appointments that come with it. It can lower your tolerance for distress and make it hard to make it through difficult times. In these support groups, we will work with women to learn distress tolerance skills. Where they will learn different tools and ideas to distract themselves in a healthy way from their physical or emotional pain. It will help to build up these women's distress tolerance muscle to where they will be able to make it through the hard times.

Ways to Help With Medical and Complex Trauma

Outside of our online support groups, having ways to help with medical and complex trauma is important. Having healthy coping mechanisms and daily practices can be useful in helping manage symptoms and flare-ups. They can also be a form of self-care which is essential in helping build resilience and manage stress.

Find a Physical Therapist to Support You

Having a multidisciplinary approach is key in helping with medical and complex trauma. This means you will have multiple eyes of specialized professionals, in many areas, to support you. For example, having a physical therapist to help you find exercises that is right for your body. Here are some physical therapists in Washington D.C. to help you get started:

• Concierge Physical Therapists

• District Performance Physio

• Body Wellness DC

Support Your Mind-Body Connection

Helping the communication between the mind-body connection is important when it comes to medical and complex trauma such as chronic illness and chronic pain. Having a professional massage therapist or acupuncturist to help your specific condition can be beneficial. It will help to reduce physical and emotional tension, allowing more space for healing your mind-body connection.

Breathe

Finally, it's important to remember to breathe. Utilizing tools such as box breathing and meditation can help activate the parasympathetic nervous system. This can relax the body and mind from the pain caused by chronic pain and illness and help activate the body's natural ability to heal itself from within. It will also help you to reduce anxiety, as well as increase your ability to cope with the pain.

Interested in Support Groups For Young Adults With Chronic Illness and Chronic Pain in Washington, D.C.?

Finding support from other women can be so beneficial in healing, feeling validating, and understanding your own experience with chronic illness and chronic pain. In my online support groups, I will be there to support you and other women to gain support, give support, and learn new tools to help manage the medical and complex trauma of chronic illness and chronic pain. All without leaving your home. You can still be the successful high-achieving woman you are meant to be, and I am here to help you on your journey.

Follow the steps below to get started on your journey to healing.

1. Get to know me here.

2. Fill out our convenient online mental health services contact form.

3. Meet other women who understand what you’re going through!
   

Other Mental Health Services Offered at Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women

You can gain support from other women who also understand the medical and complex trauma of chronic illness and chronic pain. My women's support groups offer an open space for women to process and work through their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors associated with chronic illness and chronic pain. I am an expert that specializes in women's health and understand that you may be seeking other services besides the support group. At Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women, I offer an array of therapeutic services for anxiety, depression, and PTSD in both Individual and Group counseling settings. I also specialize in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy in addition to CBT.

Supporting Women with Complex and Medical Trauma in New York through Online Support Groups

As a woman in New York City, you know what it takes to achieve success. You have juggled countless careers, relationships, and personal commitments. The life you have? You forged that all on your own with your hard work and dedication. But, as you know, life isn’t always easy. Recently, you are overwhelmingly exhausted trying to go through your everyday life and juggle your commitments as if you didn't have to manage chronic pain and a chronic illness. Or, if you didn't have to manage the grief due to the medical trauma that you experienced during your pregnancy, childbirth, or aftercare. This is a block you can't seem to move on your own and can't move past to get back on track with your goals.

Even though you're struggling with your medical trauma, you are still showing up for yourself and others in ways that matter. You're still killing it at work, at home, and in your personal relationships despite the medical trauma you experienced. But, you wish you had others who could relate to and understand what you're going through. This is where support groups for young adults with chronic illness and chronic pain can be beneficial.

How Do Support Groups Benefit Women with Complex and Medical Trauma?

As a medical trauma therapist in New York, I've seen firsthand the life-changing impact that support groups can have on women with complex and medical trauma. Support groups give women with complex and medical trauma a place to meet and interact with others. They may not have the exact same diagnosis, but they certainly understand the emotional and physical toll of a chronic disease or illness.

Therapy groups when led by a licensed therapist can not only give you a place to gain emotional support but give it to other women as well. You can also get real life tools that will actually help you manage your emotions in a healthier and more positive way. As you know, medical trauma can become complex trauma when the condition is chronic as you are getting repeated invasive exams, painful treatments, repeated surgeries, and many appointments. Having a safe place to talk about your experiences with people that understand can be healing.

What Ways Can These Support Groups Give Support and Help Women Overcome Trauma?

These support groups can help women with medical trauma build skills, such as mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). These skills will allow you to keep striving toward your achievements and also give you the ability to cope with the pain and stress that comes with your medical trauma. You having coping mechanisms to fall back on in times of distress can be incredibly helpful.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness gives you the skills to allow yourself to be present in the moment rather than focused on the future or stuck in the past. With breathing techniques, you will be able to reduce the stress and anxiety that your body is experiencing due to the daily struggles of medical trauma. It calms down your brain and then you can focus on the present moment and create distance from your thoughts.

Visualizations while meditating are also beneficial. You can imagine yourself in a calm, peaceful place and focus on that. It helps to center you in the present, instead of ruminating on your trauma or worrying about what could happen in the future.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Skills

In these support groups, you will learn about cognitive distortions such as black-and-white thinking, catastrophizing, and all-or-nothing thinking. For example, "I'm always going to be in pain,", "I will only feel better when my test results are normal," and "I can never do anything right". These thoughts can increase the anxiety, stress, and effects of your complex and medical trauma.

With your newfound CBT skills, you will be able to challenge these negative thoughts and create new neural pathways in your brain. By challenging these negative thoughts with more positive ones such as "I am capable of handling this pain," "My body is strong and resilient," and "I am doing the best I can," you will help your brain create these new pathways and it will help you get "unstuck" in your pain.

Distress Tolerance Skills

In these support groups for women with medical trauma, you will also learn distress tolerance skills to strengthen and build your distress tolerance muscle. You'll learn different tools and ideas to distract yourself, in a healthy way, from physical or emotional pain. This will help you build your distress tolerance muscle and will assist you in focusing on more positive aspects of your life rather than the negative.

Some distracting activities that can be helpful when you are feeling overwhelmed or distressed can be listening to music (think of your favorite song!), going for a walk, knitting that blanket you keep wanting to make or writing your thoughts and feelings down in a journal. These activities can help you focus on something other than your pain, your illness/disease, or any negative aspects that you may be feeling.

What Else Can Women with Medical Trauma Do?

In addition to attending these support groups, there are several other things that you can do alongside these groups that will help you with your medical trauma. At Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women, I recognize that using a multidisciplinary approach is often the most effective way to treat medical trauma. So, here are some ways to take a multidisciplinary approach:

Find a Physical Therapist

Finding and having a physical therapist to support you in finding exercise for your body without causing you pain and discomfort is important. This will help you get back to doing activities that you used to enjoy and can also help you manage your pain. Some physical therapists in New York are:

• Beyond Basic Physical Therapy

• Solstice Physiotherapy

• FemFirstHealth

• 5 Point Physical Therapy

Find a Massage Therapist and/or Acupuncturist

Massage therapy and/or an acupuncturist can also help to increase the communication between your body and mind. They can also help with the symptoms of your specific condition. These therapies can help release emotional, physical, and mental tension as well as increase your body’s circulation.

Just Breathe

I'm sure you've heard this before as a successful, high-achieving woman, but just breathe. One way to do this is by box breathing. Box breathing is a type of breathwork that can help calm your nervous system, activate your parasympathetic nervous system and ground yourself in the present moment. Using this along with your meditation tools is the most effective way to practice distress tolerance and find moments of peace throughout your day.

Support groups for young adults with chronic illness, chronic pain, complex, and medical trauma are essential. They provide a safe and accepting space to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without being judged or feeling alone. With the help of a medical trauma therapist in new york, you will have the opportunity to connect with other women who are going through similar experiences. You'll be able to share your stories, gain support, give support, and learn new coping skills for dealing with the trauma you've experienced. You can still achieve your goals by utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, engaging in breath work and meditation, and actively seeking support.

Interested in Online Women's Therapy in Washington, D.C.?

Truly being successful in life starts by showing up for yourself. Having a group that supports you and understands your experience, is the key to achieving lasting mental health and well-being. My online therapy groups are a great way to get the support and guidance you need, without leaving your home. You are and can be the high-achieving woman you are meant to be, and I am here to help you on your journey.

Follow the steps below to get started on your journey to healing.

1. Get to know me here.

2. Fill out our convenient online mental health services contact form.

3. Gain support from other women who understand your trauma!

Other Mental Health Services Offered at Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women

You deserve to have support from women who understand your complex and medical trauma. My women's support groups offer an open and safe space to share, explore, and talk about the trauma you have experienced without judgment. I am an expert that specializes in women's health and understand that you may be seeking other services besides the support group. At Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women, I offer an array of therapeutic services for anxiety, depression, and PTSD in both Individual and Group counseling settings. I also specialize in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy in addition to CBT.

Online therapy benefits high achieving professional women on the move: Thoughts from a DC area therapist.

Why online therapy?

Online therapy may feel like a strange way to begin treatment with a new therapist. It may feel awkward staring into your screen or you may not know what to expect. But I’m here to say, online therapy is an awesome option for so many women like you. The COVID-19 pandemic forced mental health professionals online (myself included).

A Post-Pandemic World and Changing Concepts of Success

What I found during and after the pandemic was that my clients were still reaching their goals, and experiencing fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression all at the same pace I was experiencing in person. Even better, the research was supporting what I was experiencing: clients were experiencing the same success in goal completion and symptom reduction. Don’t take my word for it, read the American Psychological Association’s take that telehealth is here to stay.

Is online therapy effective?

Yes! It is not a perfect fit for every person or every diagnosis and some individuals do need a higher level of care with in-person treatment. However, if you are a high-achieving professional woman trying to fit into therapy while juggling every other responsibility in your life, online therapy could be a great option. Research supports the fact that online therapy is just as an effective option as in-person therapy for many mental health conditions, like anxiety and depression.

What are the benefits of online therapy?

No commute

If you are a high-achieving woman who navigates chronic pain or chronic illness, the last thing you need is another medical appointment that doesn’t need to be in person. You can take the time you would have spent commuting and use it to meal prep, rest, move your body or catch up on that to-do list.

You have limited mobility or a disability

You have been navigating chronic pain and chronic illness for so many years. You know you have to reserve your energy or you would have difficulty getting to the office on your own. Online therapy gives you more independence, power, and control over your treatment each week.

More convenient

You have to take an hour lunch break but usually, just work through it. Not anymore! You can take 50 minutes out of your day to prioritize yourself, your well-being, and your mental health. You can have these appointments from your office, your sofa, your home office-wherever YOU are most comfortable.

No childcare required

You may be a new mom who is struggling with the transition to motherhood but doesn’t have childcare available. How amazing would it be to simply open your laptop during your baby’s nap time and get the care you need right then and there? No traveling, no preparing the diaper bag, no hassle. If the baby wakes up? No big deal! We can continue our session with the little one, a bottle, or some snuggles.

No traffic

You have total control of your environment. Your commute is from your bedroom to your desk or maybe even the couch. You can meet with your therapist from the safety and comfort of your home. I have found that cancellations are extremely rare since shifting to telehealth. Online therapy allows it to be a priority each week and helps you reach your goals faster.

You travel for work

I specialize in working with high-achieving, intelligent, and driven women. Sometimes that means they need to travel within the DMV area. Let’s say you reside in DC but have to spend a week in Virginia or Maryland for a project. No problem continuing your weekly therapy because I’m licensed in all three states and districts. Do you need to travel to Manhattan for a week because your company’s headquarters is there? Amazing! I’m also licensed to work with New York residents.

More privacy

No awkward waiting rooms. Just a virtual waiting room that is HIPPA compliant for you and you only. All intake forms and sessions are held on HIPPA-compliant software to protect your privacy.

You live in a remote area

During the pandemic, you moved out of the city and bought your dream home in that mountain town you’ve always loved. You prioritized what you needed! The only down side-there are not many therapists (if any) or no therapists that specialize in your specific problem.

You can see a true specialist in the mental health field.

If you’ve found this page (and kept reading this far) I would imagine you are a driven, hard-working intelligent woman trying to navigate a diagnosis of chronic pain and chronic illness or transition to being a new mom after a difficult birth or pregnancy. Maybe you are struggling to have a family and are mentally exhausted from the roller coaster of infertility and pregnancy loss.

By using online therapy you can access the therapeutic services of Women’s CBT, which specialize in these exact niches with extensive training and practice. You can join a therapy group for new or soon-to-be moms or women with chronic illness and chronic pain that geographically may not be possible in person.

Online Therapy in Greater Washington, DC, and New York

Online Therapy is proven to be an effective treatment modality for anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder among other issues. At our DC-based Therapy office, as a skilled therapist, I am here to guide you through this process of healing in order to regain control of your life and move forward in a positive way. Follow the steps below to get started on your journey to healing.

1. Get to know me here.

2. Fill out our convenient online mental health services contact form.

3. Begin your journey to healing.

Other Mental Health Services Offered by Kelsey Bates

You deserve access to an expert that understands women's health and how it can be so deeply connected to our mental health. An expert that can offer you evidence-based treatment and a personalized approach to help you through your unique struggles. I offer a variety of mental health services to help individualize a plan that best meets your needs. 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 Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, and New York.

Pregnancy and postpartum: How traumatic pregnancies, miscarriages and birth trauma can increase symptoms of medical trauma from a DC therapist.

What is the perinatal period?

The perinatal period is the period for new moms from conception through the first full year postpartum. This period takes into account the entire pregnancy and post-birthing issues like breastfeeding or hormonal fluctuations.

What is perinatal mental health?

Therapists with a specialty in perinatal mental health have extensive training in issues unique to pregnant and postpartum moms, like perinatal anxiety or postpartum depression, as well as birth trauma or traumatic pregnancies. It is critical to provide support to new and soon-to-be moms during this time period.

What creates birth trauma or traumatic pregnancies?

Difficult pregnancies with issues like severe pre-eclampsia, pregnancy loss, hyperemesis gravidarum, miscarriage, or intense anxiety can create experiences that may lead to medical trauma. Birth trauma may look like an emergency c-section, complications postpartum, long and intense labor, or traumatic vaginal birth can all be experiences that create medical trauma.

Will medical trauma always mean I have post-traumatic stress disorder?

No. Postpartum Support International provides us with the data that approximately 9% of women experience postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder after childbirth. Medical trauma does not always mean a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD is accurate. However, medical trauma and traumatic experiences during pregnancy, losing a baby, or childbirth can certainly qualify as a traumatic event required for a PTSD diagnosis.

Postpartum or perinatal trauma does not discriminate.

Postpartum Support International states “parents of every culture, age, income level and race can develop perinatal mental health disorders. Symptoms can appear at any time during pregnancy and the first 12 months after childbirth. There are effective and well-researched treatment options to help you recover."

We have a tendency to minimize our pain, both emotional and physical. If you are struggling with anxiety or depression after a difficult childbirth, a difficult pregnancy, a pregnancy loss, or infertility, you may be experiencing symptoms of medical trauma. There is hope and treatment available.

Birth trauma may be exacerbated by unhelpful myths & assumptions of pregnancy or childbirth like:

• Pregnancy is the most special time of my life.

• Pregnancy always ends with a healthy baby.

• You can’t have antidepressants during pregnancy.

• Motherhood is the ultimate fulfillment.

• IVF isn’t the normal or right way to become a mother.

• Everyone has miscarriages, I should be able to be past this by now.

• No one wants to hear about my miscarriage.

• Pregnancy loss is my fault and a shameful experience.

• C Section means I failed to have a “real” birth.

• Natural birth is my only option.

• Medication during birth is weak.

• I should be able to bond with my baby immediately.

• I should be able to breastfeed exclusively.

What can increase my risk of developing symptoms of medical trauma due to difficult pregnancies, miscarriages, or birth trauma?

• Complications in pregnancy

• Miscarriages

• Being dismissed by medical providers

• Not being given proper medical care during birth or pregnancy

• Complications during labor or childbirth

• Pregnancy loss

• Experiencing a stillbirth

• Health challenges for either mom or baby

• Baby in NICU

• Premature birth

• Emergency c section

• Postpartum complications

• Difficulty bonding with your baby

• Poor response to anesthesia or medication during birth to manage pain

• Traumatic vaginal birth

• Severe pre-eclampsia

• Hyperemesis Gravidarum

What are examples of symptoms of medical trauma associated with childbirth, difficult pregnancies, or pregnancy loss?

You may keep having intrusive or unwanted memories of the traumatic vaginal delivery or emergency c-section. You may have recurring dreams that are very distressing to you related to the health challenges for both mom and baby. You may feel intense distress when exposed to reminders of the event. These could be times of the year when the event occurred or having to drive past the hospital where your baby spent time in the NICU. You may try to go out of your way to avoid these reminders whenever possible.

There may be difficulty recalling specific memories or details surrounding traumatic childbirth, miscarriage, or stillbirth. You may have persistent negative beliefs about yourself or blame yourself for postpartum complications. You may start to isolate yourself from others more, feel increased anxiety and fear and lose interest in activities you typically love. You may notice you have more extreme startle responses to loud noises around you, you feel hypervigilant about the safety of yourself or your baby or have a hard time concentrating.

Evidence-Based Postpartum and Perinatal Therapy Treatments

If you feel yourself resonating with any of these symptoms, you’re not alone. There is hope and help available. There are several helpful therapy modalities and evidence-based treatments for treating medical trauma associated with miscarriage, pregnancy loss, difficult pregnancies, traumatic births, and postpartum complications.

What evidence-based therapy treatments can help me manage medical trauma from a difficult childbirth, pregnancy loss, or traumatic pregnancies? Let’s take a look.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, can be a helpful tool in identifying unhelpful thought patterns surrounding pregnancy, childbirth, or motherhood and replacing them with more helpful reframes. CBT is a recommended therapy for postpartum depression or anxiety, as well as feelings of depression or anxiety during pregnancy. It’s possible to change ruminating or intrusive thought patterns and decrease intense feelings of anxiety or depression.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Acceptance and commitment therapy, or ACT, is an evidence-based treatment that can be helpful for addressing anxiety, depression, and trauma related to traumatic pregnancies or birth trauma. ACT incorporates breathing techniques, mindfulness skills, and meditation tools to help decrease feelings of anxiety and depression and activate our parasympathetic nervous system, or resting state.

Cognitive Processing Therapy

Cognitive processing therapy, or CPT, is an evidence-based treatment based on cognitive behavior therapy. It is a focused treatment specifically designed for trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder. This allows us to challenge stuck points and move past traumatic events like childbirth or a traumatic pregnancy. CPT can be helpful for an acute traumatic event, such as childbirth, or multiple traumas experienced throughout the pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum spectrum.

Group therapy for perinatal and postpartum moms

Group therapy for pregnant and postpartum moms is a supportive and safe place to speak with other women navigating the same stage of life. Women’s CBT offers a weekly virtual therapy group online for new and soon-to-be moms. This group empowers members with CBT and mindfulness tools to help manage the emotions surrounding difficult pregnancies, motherhood, or postpartum challenges. Leave each session with new, real-world tools to use and feelings of encouragement and support from other women.

Begin Perinatal and Postpartum Therapy in Washington DC

Perinatal and Postpartum health are both extremely important and no two experiences look the same. At my DC-based Therapy office, as a trained therapist I am here to guide you through this process of healing in order to regain control of your life and move forward in a positive way. Follow the steps below to get started on your journey to healing.

1. Get to know me here.

2. Fill out our convenient online mental health services contact form.

3. Begin your journey to healing.

Other Mental Health Services Offered at Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women

I understand that women face a unique set of mental health challenges in today’s society and need specialized support. No two mental health journeys to recovery are the same and I offer a variety of mental health services to help individualize a plan that best meets your needs. 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 Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, and New York.

PTSD and Medical Trauma: How chronic pain and chronic illness can create medical trauma from a New York therapist.

Can chronic pain and chronic illness impact my mental health?

The short answer-yes. Women living with chronic pain and chronic illness are incredibly resilient. They are navigating intense health issues and severe, sometimes debilitating pain on a daily basis. Your nervous system is on high alert as you continue to show up for work, parent your kiddos, be a partner, a daughter, and a sister.

You are pushing through intense emotions, like fear of not being able to get through your day or anxiety about your future, anger at your body, and exhaustion. Continual experiences of pain, frightening and invasive medical procedures, surgeries and medical gaslighting can contribute to medical trauma. As a therapist that works with women who have chronic health issues, I understand these issues and am prepared to help you navigate the challenges that arise.

What is medical trauma?

The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies states that medical trauma is comprised of “emotional and physical responses to pain, injury, serious illness, medical procedures, and frightening treatment experiences”. We may tend to think of emergency situations as the only thing able to create medical trauma, however, people experiencing chronic pain and complex chronic health issues can also develop symptoms of medical trauma or post traumatic stress disorder due to repeated instances of serious illness, injury, pain or medical procedures.

Does everyone with medical trauma develop PTSD?

No. But, medical trauma can certainly qualify as a traumatic event defined in the criteria for PTSD. It is important to seek mental health support and let your therapist know how medical trauma, chronic pain, and chronic illness have impacted your mental health.

What experiences can contribute to medical trauma or post traumatic stress disorder?

Repeated invasive surgical procedures

Many women with chronic health issues have to have repeated invasive surgical procedures over the course of many years, even decades. For instance, women with endometriosis may have to endure excision surgery for their disease multiple times. Endometriosis has no cure and the gold standard treatment of excision surgeries can take an intense emotional toll on the individual.

Repeated invasive exams

Woman can take years and years trying to find a correct diagnosis for their pain. During this frustrating process, they are subject to invasive exams. Repeated and extensive bloodwork or repeated and invasive gynecological exams can be traumatizing, frightening, and both emotionally and physically painful.

Repeated medical treatments

Complex chronic health issues or chronic pain often mean lots of trial and error with medical treatments, medications, and therapies. These are costly, can be invasive or painful, and can feel like an emotional roller coaster.

Repeated dismissal of pain or symptoms by medical professionals

Medical gaslighting is such a painful experience that is unfortunately very common for my clients. Women may be told repeatedly that pain is “just in their head” to years later find out via surgery or invasive testing that there was a very real cause of pain in their body. This can lead to difficulty trusting your body, your experience of pain, or the ability to trust in your own feelings and emotions.

Consistent physical pain

Experiencing pain daily sends your sympathetic nervous on high alert. When you are experiencing a consistent internal threat of pain, then your fight, flight, or freeze response is activated. It is easy to experience other stressors more intensely in a heightened state.

Feeling out of control in your own body

Each day can be completely different with complex chronic health issues or chronic pain. Some days you are able to work or exercise, others you are struggling to get out of bed or shower. Such inconsistent levels of energy, fatigue, or pain take both a physical and emotional toll on you.

Life changing complications or need for adaptive tools after diagnosis

Life may look very different after a diagnosis. Reasonable accommodations in the workplace may be needed for you to be able to continue working, like working from home or having more frequent breaks. Adaptive tools like a cane may make life easier on high-pain days. These are big adjustments that may impact how you see yourself or your identity.

What are the signs of medical trauma from chronic illness or chronic pain?

• Symptoms of medical trauma may include:

• Intense anxiety surrounding medical appointments

• avoidance of making or attending medical appointments or follow-ups

• Increased feelings of depression, intrusive thoughts or memories about the traumatic event or experiences

• hypervigilance about your body and safety

• catastrophizing thoughts about outcomes of doctors visits

• trouble sleeping

What types of therapy are best for chronic pain and chronic illness?

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is an evidence-based treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. Evidence-based treatments are treatments that have been rigorously studied and have robust, positive outcomes for clients. CBT helps identify unhelpful thought patterns surrounding chronic health issues or chronic pain and uses evidence to challenge these thoughts. We can create reframes, or more helpful thoughts and help the brain essentially rewire these thought patterns. This can help you feel more empowered with your experience of chronic illness or chronic pain and engage in more helpful behaviors.

Acceptance and commitment therapy

Acceptance and commitment therapy, or ACT, is an evidence-based treatment that uses mindfulness tools, values exploration, and committed actions to create positive change. ACT can help clients increase acceptance around difficult and complicated life events like their diagnosis. ACT helps us accept our thoughts and feelings in the present moment, choose a path in alignment with our values, and take action.

Cognitive processing therapy

Cognitive processing therapy, or CPT is an evidence-based treatment rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This trauma-informed CBT approach is designed for treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or trauma. CPT focuses on addressing stuck points or rigid unhelpful thoughts about the client’s safety, intimacy, power & control, esteem, and trust. CPT can be helpful for women navigating trauma surrounding chronic complex health issues and chronic pain.

Therapy groups for women with chronic illness and chronic pain

Therapy groups can be a safe, empowering place to share your experience with other women navigating similar life challenges. Women’s CBT runs a weekly, online therapy group for adult women dealing with chronic pain and chronic illness. Our weekly group provides tools rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness to address the unique challenges of living with chronic pain and chronic illness. In addition to real-life, day-to-day tools, members are able to share their stories and ask for support from women who understand the toll of chronic pain and chronic illness.

Interested in PTSD Treatment in Washington DC?

PTSD related to medical trauma can have a profound impact on your life. At my DC-based Therapy office, as a trained therapist I am here ready to help you process this trauma in order to begin living your best life in the now. Follow the steps below to get started on your journey to healing.

1. Get to know me here.

2. Fill out my convenient online mental health services contact form.

3. Begin your journey to healing.

Other Mental Health Services Offered by Kelsey Bates

You deserve access to an expert that understands women's health and how it can be so deeply connected to our mental health. An expert that can offer you evidence-based treatment and a personalized approach to help you through your unique struggles. I offer a variety of mental health services to help individualize a plan that best meets your needs. 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 Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, and New York.

High Performing Women, Chronic Illness & Perfectionism: A DC Therapist Explains How CBT Can Help.

“Perfectionism is not the same thing has striving to be your best. Perfectionism is the belief that if we live perfect, look perfect, and act perfect, we can minimize or avoid the pain of blame, judgement, and shame. It’s a shield. It’s a twenty-ton shield that we lug around thinking it will protect us when, in fact, it’s the thing that’s really preventing us from flight.”

-Brene Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection

Image by https://unsplash.com/@javaistan

My Love For Offering Therapy for Women

I love my job. Truly-I is doing what I love to do every day because I specialize in working with incredible, high-achieving women. Let’s be honest-living in places like DC and New York are not easy. The women I get to work with are executives, nurses, writers, creatives, scientists, artists, doctors, lawyers, and teachers (insert any kick-ass profession here!) and at the top of their game.

Wearing Many Hats

They are also wearing way more than just one hat. Their professional identity is a huge part of who they are, but it is just that one part. At the same time, they are juggling being a solid friend, having a healthy dating life, being a partner, dealing with chronic illness or chronic pain, being a mom, trying to get pregnant, navigating grief, dealing with perinatal anxiety or postpartum issues…the list goes on and on.

The Misbelief that you are not enough

A common theme I see when working with high-achieving, super-intelligent women is this inner dialogue that they are not enough. Any sense of falling short at work, at home, or not “doing enough” in their relationships or for their kids feels like a complete failure. To the outside world, things look shiny and perfect but inside they feel like an imposter.

A profound grieving process can happen when a high-achieving woman gets diagnosed with chronic illness or chronic pain.

All of a sudden, your body can’t keep up with your mind. You have so many items on your to-do list, goals, plans-and your body feels as if it is betraying you. CBT can help navigate the self-talk surrounding this grief and give you more tools to cope with such change and loss.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Can Help Decrease Anxiety About Perfectionism

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, can be so beneficial in helping us change our inner dialogue. When that inner critic starts to tell you that the slide deck wasn’t perfect, or your kids ate chicken tenders too many times this week so you failed as a mom, or the constructive feedback from your boss means you are the worst employee ever, we can pause. We can recognize the unhelpful thought patterns that are coming up. We can recognize that we are having very all-or-nothing thinking patterns.

Mindfulness is part of cognitive behavior therapy

Now, you’ve begun to recognize the thought patterns that come up. Rigid thinking or thinking in extremes is a hallmark of perfectionistic thinking. Guess what? You are incorporating mindfulness into your day! You are noticing thoughts, observing them, and recognizing they are unhelpful. This act of mindfulness is key to being able to create helpful thought reframes.

Creating Cognitive Reframes Through Therapy for Women

Brene Brown has an amazing book on perfectionism entitled The Gifts of Imperfection. In that, Brown writes, “Perfectionism is self-destructive simply because there's no such thing as perfect. Perfection is an unattainable goal.” Creating a cognitive reframe helps us recognize that our all-or-nothing thinking is setting us up to fail. If it is unattainable or impossible to be perfect all the time in every aspect of our lives, then we need a more helpful thought pattern. It may take time for these reframes to come more easily and CBT requires active practice. With a trained therapist, you can find realistic ways to incorporate cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness into your everyday life.

Work with a CBT-trained therapist to navigate perfectionism and anxiety with chronic illness and chronic pain

Working with a highly trained CBT therapist can help you learn how to create more helpful thought patterns and engage in mindfulness to help decrease feelings of anxiety about perfectionism. If you are ready to get started, reach out for your free consultation today.

Are You in Need of Therapy for Chronic Illness in Washington, DC?

Dealing with chronic illness and chronic pain can deplete you and make it impossible to function normally in your life. At my DC-based Therapy office, as a trained therapist I understand the isolation and fear you are feeling and am ready to help you. Follow the steps below to get started on your journey to mental health healing and well-being.

1. Get to know me here.

2. Fill out my convenient online mental health services contact form.

3. Begin your journey to healing.

Other Mental Health Services Offered by Kelsey Bates

You deserve access to an expert that understands women's health and how it can be so deeply connected to our mental health. An expert that can offer you evidence-based treatment and a personalized approach to help you through your unique struggles. I offer a variety of mental health services to help individualize a plan that best meets your needs. 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 Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, and New York.