Top 3 Ways a Health Psychologist Can Help

Wondering what health psychology is and how it might help you? According to the

American Psychology Association, Health Psychologists are “experts in the

intersection of health and behavior,” who examine “how biological, social and

psychological factors influence the choices we make about our health.”

(http://www.apa.org/action/science/health/)

The following are the top 3 reasons you might consider working with a clinical

health psychologist to optimize your health and wellbeing.

1. Healthy Recovery

Health psychologists specialize in helping people recover from an illness or

injury, such as cancer, sports injury or a surgical procedure. From coaching

patient son ways to follow through on treatment recommendations, or using

mind-body techniques such as guided imagery to visualize desired health

outcomes and boost immune system responses in the field of

psychoneuroimmunology, health psychologists can be found in multiple roles

throughout the recovery process.

2. Healthy Coping

Likewise, health psychologists help patients who are struggling with chronic

or acute health conditions or diseases such as chronic pain, brain injury

symptoms, or cancer treatment, cope with their symptoms and the effects of

their health on their sense of self and relationship to others. This may happen

through supportive talk therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT),

instruction in stress-management techniques, or support groups to help

patients process their thoughts and emotions about their illness and make

healthy choices for themselves going forward.

3. Healthy Prevention

Finally, health psychologists can help people prevent illness and achieve and

maintain optimal health. This may involve using evidence-based techniques

such as CBT and Motivational Interviewing to change unhealthy behaviors

and support healthier habits, such as helping someone with smoking

cessation and increasing physical activity, or teaching relaxation techniques

to prevent stress-based illnesses.

Wellness is multi-factorial and a health psychologist can help you in

many ways to maintain the health you do have, identify healthy goals to

increase wellbeing, and to cope with any changes that occur along the

way. Consider investing your time in yourself and your health by

scheduling a consultation to see how Integrative Psychology and

Behavioral Medicine can help you with your goals of optimal health and

wellbeing.