Health Psychology
Health Psychology: The Connection Between Mind and Physical Health
Health psychology focuses on the relationship between emotional well-being and physical health. It recognizes that thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and life circumstances all play a role in how we experience illness, recovery, and overall well-being.
In my work, I support individuals who are navigating the emotional and psychological aspects of medical conditions, health concerns, or changes in physical functioning.
When we work together, we begin by understanding how your health experience is affecting you—both practically and emotionally.
At times, our work may focus on managing stress, anxiety, or uncertainty related to a medical condition. This may include developing ways to cope with ongoing symptoms, improving sleep, or navigating decisions about care.
At other points, the focus may be more reflective—exploring how changes in health are shaping your sense of self, your relationships, or your expectations for the future.
The work is flexible and evolves over time, moving between practical strategies and deeper reflection as your needs shift.
This may include support around:
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Adjusting to a new diagnosis or chronic condition
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Managing health-related stress, anxiety, or uncertainty
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Coping with pain, fatigue, or physical limitations
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Improving sleep and daily routines
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Navigating medical systems and communication with providers
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Making sense of longer-term changes in identity and daily life
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Living with cancer or navigating cancer treatment and survivorship
Throughout, I aim to help you develop ways of engaging with these challenges that feel more manageable and sustainable.
Areas of Focus
I work with individuals who may be:
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Living with chronic health conditions
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Managing medical diagnoses or ongoing treatment
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Experiencing stress related to health or uncertainty
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Coping with chronic pain or fatigue
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Navigating sleep concerns, including insomnia
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Adjusting to changes in physical functioning or lifestyle
This work may also support individuals who are seeking to better understand how emotional, behavioral, and physical patterns interact over time.
Approach to Care
My approach is integrative and grounded in health psychology, drawing from evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and CBT for Insomnia (CBT-I), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness-based strategies, as well as psychodynamic and insight-oriented approaches.
Alongside reflective work, I provide psychoeducation and guide the development of practical, skills-based coping strategies to support daily functioning, symptom management, and adjustment to health-related challenges.
In our work together, I will help you understand the relationship between thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and physical symptoms.
What Sessions May Look Like
Sessions are tailored to your specific concerns and may involve both reflective and skills-based work. Early sessions often focus on understanding your health-related experiences, current challenges, and how emotional, behavioral, and physical patterns are interacting over time.
As we continue, our work may include exploring patterns that contribute to stress or symptom flare-ups, while also developing practical strategies to support coping, daily functioning, and adjustment. I may provide psychoeducation to help you better understand the connections between thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and physical symptoms, along with guidance in applying strategies in a way that feels sustainable and adaptable.
Some sessions may feel more exploratory, while others may be more focused and structured. Across both, the emphasis remains on supporting clarity, flexibility, and meaningful change in the way you relate to your health and overall well-being.
Collaborative Care
When appropriate, I may work in coordination with medical providers to ensure care is informed by both psychological and physical health considerations. This collaborative approach supports a more comprehensive understanding of your experience and helps align care across different aspects of treatment.
This work offers a space to approach health-related concerns with greater clarity, support, and intention—recognizing the interplay between mind and body in shaping well-being over time.