Why Trauma Informed CBT Helps Women with Chronic Pain: Tips from a New York City Therapist
Chronic Pain and Chronic Illness is Medical Trauma
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Medical trauma refers to the psychological and emotional distress experienced by individuals as a result of a medical event or procedure. Whether it's an invasive surgery, a life-altering diagnosis, or a traumatic accident, the experience of medical trauma can have profound and lasting effects on a person's well-being. Chronic illness or chronic pain is considered medical trauma. The body and mind respond as you would typically to other forms of trauma. This can look like heightened anxiety or panic as well as depressive symptoms.
One of the key aspects of medical trauma is the loss of control, relying on medical professionals’ expertise and decision-making abilities to navigate through critical and sometimes life-threatening situations like a traumatic birth or ongoing chronic health issues.
Furthermore, medical trauma can stem from the physical pain and discomfort associated with medical procedures. The invasive nature of surgeries or the side effects of medications can leave individuals traumatized long after the event has passed. Chronic pain and the resulting limitations in daily life can create ongoing distress and a sense of hopelessness.
An additional aspect of medical trauma is the impact on one's identity and sense of self. A sudden illness or diagnosis can disrupt a person's life, forcing them to grapple with a new reality and adjust to a different way of being. The loss of mental and physical abilities can be deeply challenging and may result in feelings of grief, shame, and a loss of self-esteem.
The impact of medical trauma extends beyond the individual. Family members and loved ones may also experience trauma as they witness the suffering and struggle of their loved ones. They may face challenges in providing care, managing their own emotions, and grappling with their own fears and anxieties.
It is essential to recognize and address medical trauma to support individuals in their healing journey. Therapeutic interventions, such as trauma-focused therapy, can be invaluable in helping individuals process their experiences, regain a sense of control, and develop healthy coping strategies. Support groups and peer communities can also provide a sense of validation, understanding, and connection for those navigating medical trauma.
As healthcare providers, it is crucial to approach patients with empathy, compassion, and respect for their experiences. Creating a safe and supportive environment can mitigate the potential for medical trauma and foster a partnership between healthcare professionals and patients. Open communication, informed consent, and involving patients in decision-making processes can contribute to a sense of agency and empowerment, reducing the likelihood of traumatization.
Medical trauma is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires attention and understanding. By acknowledging its impact and implementing strategies to support those affected, we can help individuals navigate the path towards healing, resilience, and reclaiming their lives.
Therapy for Women with Chronic Pain and Chronic Illness in New York City
There is a Connection between Trauma and Chronic Pain
There is a significant relationship between childhood trauma or adverse childhood experiences and chronic pain. It is our clinical duty to provide a safe warm therapeutic space conducive to healing childhood traumas or attachment wounds. Chronic pain and trauma often share a complex and intertwined relationship. Traumatic events, regardless of their nature and intensity, can leave a lasting imprint on an individual's physical and emotional well-being. The experience of trauma can sensitize the nervous system, leading to heightened pain sensitivity and the development of chronic pain conditions.
Moreover, chronic pain itself can be a traumatic experience, disrupting one's daily life, limiting functionality, and causing emotional distress. This reciprocal connection between chronic pain and trauma creates a challenging cycle that requires comprehensive and integrated approaches to address both the physical and psychological aspects of healing. By recognizing and addressing the underlying trauma, individuals experiencing chronic pain can find pathways towards holistic recovery and reclaim their quality of life.
the Pain is Not in Your Head
Patients may feel gaslit by medical providers (especially with chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia) by phrases like “you just need to relax” or “manage your stress” with therapy. As a clinician and an individual who has navigated chronic illness, I assure my clients that the pain is not in your head. Therapy is one incredibly important piece of the puzzle, however, there are many important team members needed to promote healing. I frequently collaborate with reproductive psychiatrists, pelvic physical therapists, physicians, specialists, nutritionists and surgeons to create a team of help for my clients. CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy, is a wonderful tool that I prefer to use within an integrative, individualized approach.
Integrative Therapy for Women with Chronic Pain and Chronic Illness in New York
Psychoeducation of neuroscience
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It is important to learn about the parasympathetic nervous system vs sympathetic nervous system. Before we can try reframing our thoughts with CBT, we have to learn how to calm our bodies down so that our frontal lobe (in charge of higher cognitive functions, rational thoughts, decision making & impulse control) can actually be “online”. I find that providing the science behind what is happening in their bodies and brains can be reassuring and helpful-you are not “crazy”, your body and brain are reacting as they are trained to trauma or threat.
Trauma informed CBT
Cognitive Processing Therapy is a form of CBT designed specifically for trauma. I love using this approach because rather than the traditional CBT language of irrational thoughts vs rational thoughts, we use the language of stuck points or less helpful vs more helpful alternative thoughts. This does not minimize the experience of the client-it is not irrational to fear an ER trip, medical episode during social events when these things have actually happened in the past. It’s just keeping you stuck from being in the present moment and we can work to create more helpful reframes. We love to use the phrase neurons that fire together, wire together-our brain is incredible and able to create new neural networks. This takes practice and patience.
Discover Healing and Wholeness with Internal Family Systems Therapy
Sometimes, we feel like battlegrounds of conflicting emotions and conflicting desires. Our minds can resemble a crowded and chaotic arena, where different parts of ourselves fight for control, leaving us feeling lost and disconnected. But what if there was a way to bring harmony and healing to this internal conflict?
Welcome to Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy, a revolutionary approach designed to cultivate understanding, compassion, and integration within your inner world. Developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz, IFS views the mind as a community of distinct parts, each with unique beliefs, emotions, and desires. With this perspective, IFS guides you on a transformative journey towards self-discovery and healing.
In IFS Therapy, the therapist serves as a compassionate guide, helping you explore the various parts of your internal system. Through gentle dialogue and deep introspection, you will develop a genuine connection and understanding with each part, unearthing the underlying stories, traumas, and protective mechanisms that have shaped your life.
As the process unfolds, you will begin to appreciate that each part has its own positive intention. Whether it's the protective part that shields you from pain or the wounded part that carries past hurts, every aspect of your internal system has a purpose. Through the lens of IFS, you will learn to embrace and appreciate the wisdom within each part, empowering you to become their benevolent leader.
Through this intimate self-exploration, IFS Therapy allows you to witness the intricate dance between the different parts of your being. By embracing the qualities of self-compassion, curiosity, and patience, you will learn to navigate and harmonize the dynamics within your internal family. With time, conflicts will subside, and a genuine sense of wholeness and self-acceptance will emerge.
We explore self attachment, attachment with others and different parts of ourselves that exist and their roles. For instance, anxiety and fear may present as a protective part. In the past, perhaps anxiety has been an emotion that helps reduce risk or keep you safe. Does this part need to act in the same way anymore? Can our wise self take over?
At Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for women, our compassionate and experienced therapists are here to guide you on your journey towards healing and integration. Through the power of Internal Family Systems Therapy, discover the transformative potential of unity within your inner world. Reclaim your authentic self and nurture a deep connection with all aspects of your being. Contact us today and unlock the door to inner harmony and personal growth.
Distress Tolerance Techniques: Empowering Women with Chronic Pain
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Living with chronic pain can often be an overwhelming experience, testing the limits of one's physical and emotional endurance. For women navigating the challenges of chronic pain, finding effective ways to manage distress is crucial in maintaining a sense of control and well-being. That's where distress tolerance techniques come into play.
Distress tolerance techniques offer a lifeline for women experiencing chronic pain by equipping them with the essential tools to cope with the emotional turmoil that often accompanies their physical struggles. These techniques go beyond mere pain management, offering a holistic approach that addresses the mind and body connection.
Designed to cultivate resilience, distress tolerance techniques empower women to embrace their pain with a sense of acceptance and self-compassion. By acknowledging that pain is an integral part of their life, women can unlock a new level of personal growth and resilience, even in the face of ongoing discomfort.
At Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for women, we offer a range of evidence-based distress tolerance techniques tailored to meet the unique needs of individuals living with chronic pain. These techniques include mindfulness practices, deep breathing exercises, grounding techniques, and guided imagery, among others.
By incorporating these techniques into their daily lives, our clients discover newfound strength and the ability to manage their distress, allowing them to regain control and improve their overall quality of life. These tools help women develop the capacity to navigate the ups and downs of chronic pain more skillfully, reducing the impact it has on their emotional well-being.
Our compassionate and experienced therapists provide a supportive environment, helping women explore and implement distress tolerance techniques that align with their personal goals and preferences. With personalized guidance, individuals are empowered to leverage these techniques in a way that brings them relief and aids them in finding peace amidst the storm of chronic pain.
If you are a woman seeking effective strategies to manage chronic pain and enhance your distress tolerance skills, turn to Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling. Together, we can help you build resilience, embrace your journey, and unlock your potential to thrive in the face of pain.
Women Can Navigate Chronic Pain and Chronic Illness in New York 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 New York, you can begin your journey to healing. Follow the steps below to get started on your journey to healing.
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Other Mental Health Services Offered in New York 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.