Health psychology is the study of psychological and behavioral processes in health, illness, and healthcare. The focus of this specialty is in understanding how psychological, behavioral and environmental factors contribute to physical health and illness.
Who could benefit from seeing a health psychologist?
Adults and children who have an acute or chronic illness sometimes experience stress, anxiety, or depression. A health psychologist has unique training to help address and alleviate symptoms that are related to both the physical and psychological problems. For example, a teenager with chronic migraines will likely struggle with academics in school. They might start to avoid social events for fear of having a migraine while with friends. Family may notice irritability and difficulty with sleep. A health psychologist who practices Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is in the best position to help the adolescent and family understand how migraines are related to negative mood, negative thoughts, and changes in behavior. Treatment can then address all of these factors within the context of cognitive behavioral strategies to manage headaches.
In addition to headaches/migraines, health psychologists have training in working with patients with the following medical problems:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Chronic Pain
- Cigarette Smoking
- Insomnia
- Cancer
- Crohn’s Disease
- Lyme Disease
- Allergies and Asthma
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Transplan
- Infertility