Lyme disease can be a debilitating illness having a profound effect on interpersonal relationships and a patient’s ability to function at home, in school, and in the workplace. Making matters worse, most chronic Lyme patients suffer from delayed or inaccurate diagnoses prior to finding a doctor who will treat their illness effectively. Some patients have spent months or even years trying different treatments that don’t work, since their diagnosis was, in fact, wrong. Patients often feel isolated and trapped when those around them do not understand the complexity of their illness and what they are experiencing.

 

As a Lyme-literate psychotherapist, I become an integral part of my client’s treatment team as they progress toward recovery. I provide individual psychotherapy or family therapy including support, direction, and strategies for coping and healing. My ability to do that comes from my having a comprehensive understanding of tick-borne diseases and their impact on patients, who have complex medical issues, and are living in a world where their illness is often denied and validation is rare.

 

As a Lyme-literate psychotherapist, I have had extensive training which enables me to understand Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, their impact on the body, brain, and life of a patient. Through the therapeutic process, my client can expect to gain:

 

• An understanding of the nature of their illness, and effective strategies to deal with it.

 

• An ability to better cope with symptom flares and side effects of medications, while functioning at the highest possible level.

 

• An ability to advocate, if necessary, on behalf of a child with Lyme disease in their school and community.

 

• Enhanced communications and problem-solving skills both within and outside of their family.

 

• An ability to establish boundaries with those who lack an understanding of the illness.