What is clinical health psychology?

In simple terms, it is how the interaction between your body and your mind influences your health and well being.  I value symptoms as information that can reveal where there may be imbalances in the mind-body connection.  I use evidence-based psychological methods to bring the mind and the body back into balance.  These may include approaches such as: Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or other more traditional psychological services such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, psychological assessment, couples therapy, family therapy, group therapy, and/or biofeedback.

My interest in the mind-body connection and optimizing the relationship between the mind and body creates a natural synergy with performance psychology and the concerns of athletes and high performers.  I frequently consult with high performing executives,  athletes, professionals, and their family members.

Here is the definition of Clinical Health Psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology  (2010):

“Clinical Health Psychology is the specialty that applies scientific knowledge of the inter-relationships among behavioral, emotional, cognitive, social and biological components in health and disease to the promotion and maintenance of health; the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of illness and disability; and the improvement of the health care system. It is dedicated to the development of knowledge regarding the interface between behavior and health, and to the delivery of high quality services based on that knowledge to individuals, families, and health care systems.”