Therapy Group for Teen Girls Living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: 3 Ways Support Groups Help You Thrive in Washington DC
What is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders and how can therapy groups help teen girls?
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a group of 13 genetic connective tissue disorders with wide ranging symptoms that are multisystemic and often present differently from person to person. EDS can create issues with joint instability, tissue fragilitiy, GI issues, dysautonomia, fatigue, neurological issues, pain, MCAS and more. Hypermobile Spectrum Disorders, along this same spectrum, consist of multi systemic symptoms and joint hypermobility.
Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is the most common form of EDS and impacts approximately 1 in 3100-5000 people. However, it is thought that EDS may be under diagnosed and not as rare as previously believed. There is no cure for EDS or HSD but a multidisciplinary team approach is critical and invaluable in improving the lives of people with EDS.
Mental health is just one important component of this treatment plan and we believe in a multidisciplinary approach. Group therapy for teen girls with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can help you continue reaching your goals, gain coping skills and therapeutic tools, learn about your nervous system and gain various therapeutic techniques rooted in trauma informed Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
How can group therapy and support for teen girls living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in Washington, DC help?
Keep reaching your goals and dreams as a teen girl living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Chronic illness can often feel like it completely disrupts your life plans and ambitions. The journey to uncover what’s wrong, receive a diagnosis, and find appropriate treatment can take much longer than necessary. However, you don’t have to abandon your dreams and aspirations while managing Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD). Although your goals and dreams may evolve while navigating chronic illness, this can lead to feelings of loss. Having a therapist and a supportive community can be invaluable during these significant life transitions.
The teen girls we support are remarkable high achievers, highly intelligent, and incredibly resilient. A diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome does not prevent you from pursuing your goals. Equipping yourself with tools to manage your mental health while dealing with chronic illness is not a sign of weakness; rather, it is a powerful step toward healing.
Teen girls learn helpful coping skills and tools to manage your mental health with EDS/HSD.
Women’s CBT believes in a diverse and integrative approach to managing mental health. What does this mean? In group therapy, you'll gain various techniques and tools to enhance your mental health. It's a personalized experience, allowing you to gather a comprehensive set of strategies rather than relying on just one approach.
Psychoeducation of the Nervous System for Teens with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
Chronic conditions such as Ehlers Danlos Syndrome can lead to medical trauma. Understanding the connection between our mind and body is crucial, as it helps us interpret our emotional and physical experiences. In group therapy, you will explore the role of your sympathetic nervous system (which governs fight, flight, freeze responses) and your parasympathetic nervous system (responsible for rest and digestion). You will discover techniques to stimulate your vagus nerve, promoting a calming state both physically and mentally. Most importantly, you'll learn that your body is not reacting incorrectly to any situation; we can enhance the communication between our brains and bodies to reinforce the feeling of safety.
Trauma informed CBT Skills
Traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on replacing irrational thoughts with rational ones. However, this approach can feel minimizing and dismissive for clients dealing with chronic pain or complex chronic illnesses. It often overlooks the impact of past traumatic events and the daily stressors associated with such conditions. In group therapy, you will explore a trauma-informed approach to CBT, inspired by Cognitive Processing Therapy. This method allows you to identify unhelpful thoughts or stuck points related to your current situation. You can then reframe these thoughts in a realistic and validating manner, acknowledging your emotional experiences. Additionally, you may recognize thought patterns, such as a tendency to focus on "worst-case scenarios," also known as catastrophizing, which stems from medical trauma. While this thinking may not be irrational given your experiences, it can hinder your progress. By creating a reframe, you are establishing a new neural pathway—an alternative way to think!
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
The notion of coming to terms with a chronic illness can be incredibly daunting. Many individuals may interpret acceptance of conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome as a sign of defeat or that they are somehow "fine" with being ill. However, this is not the essence of acceptance. True acceptance, or radical acceptance, involves recognizing the reality of your circumstances. By embracing acceptance, you can dedicate yourself to making changes that you can control. While you cannot alter your diagnosis, you can focus on adjustments that accommodate your condition and enable you to lead a more fulfilling life.
Somatic and Mindfulness Skills
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Many individuals have diverse interests when it comes to mindfulness and meditation. In group therapy, you will discover different methods for applying mindfulness skills that suit your personal preferences. For example, some may find joy in guided meditations, while others might prefer grounding exercises that enhance their connection to their body or the present moment. Breathing techniques can help shift our bodies into a parasympathetic state, which may include practices like box breathing, deep diaphragmatic breathing, or yogic breathing. Bilateral stimulation can also be incorporated through tapping exercises or curated audio playlists to help regulate your nervous system and stimulate the vagus nerve. Remember, mindfulness isn't a one-size-fits-all approach! Explore what resonates with you and what you feel motivated to practice.
Distress Tolerance Skills
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, commonly known as DBT, is a valuable addition to your toolkit for managing chronic illness. The skills focused on distress tolerance can assist you in coping with pain flares and the intense emotions that often accompany chronic conditions. These distress tolerance skills can take various forms, including engaging in healthy distraction activities, practicing mindfulness, and performing somatic exercises.
Dialectical thinking plays a crucial role in our trauma-informed reframing and is an essential skill to develop. This type of thinking allows us to recognize that two conflicting thoughts can coexist. For example, our emotional mind might convey a perspective that differs significantly from our rational mind. Both viewpoints hold validity. This understanding helps to honor the emotions and feelings that arise from chronic illness while simultaneously considering the evidence our rational mind can provide.
Find a community of teen girls with EDS/HSD who understand.
Chronic illness significantly impacts not only your physical well-being but also your mental health. Even with the love and support of family and friends, it can be challenging to feel truly understood. Therapy groups designed for teenage girls with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder provide an opportunity to connect with peers who genuinely understand the daily struggles of living with chronic illness.
In these therapy sessions, you will learn coping strategies and tools to enhance your mental health while also having the chance to share your experiences openly. You can seek advice, offer support to others facing similar health challenges, and leave each week feeling more connected and empowered. Chronic illnesses, such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, can create feelings of isolation. Take a step towards change by joining this supportive community of like-minded, ambitious teenage girls in a therapy group for women with chronic illnesses in Washington, DC.
Join an online therapy group for teenage girls with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobile spectrum disorders in Washington DC and find support today.
Having the right support in place can make all the difference when navigating medical trauma with chronic illness and chronic pain. 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.
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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.