Condiciones médicas crónicas
Chronic Medical Conditions
Chronic Medical Conditions
Chronic Medical Conditions
No one told you what to expect when they handed you the stack of prescriptions and treatment instructions. There was no mention of how difficult it would be to do simple things you’d taken for granted. Or all the time you’d spend in and out of medical appointments. How insensitive people would be because you don’t look sick. Or the frustration, isolation, and worry you’d feel.
Your family tells you to stay positive. Your friends say you should stop thinking about it and just push through. Your doctor just hands you another prescription when you explain how you’re feeling, emotionally. But another pill and “snapping out of it” aren’t going to help you deal with:
Your family tells you to stay positive. Your friends say you should stop thinking about it and just push through. Your doctor just hands you another prescription when you explain how you’re feeling, emotionally. But another pill and “snapping out of it” aren’t going to help you deal with:
It’s normal for anxiety and depression to follow chronic disease, chronic pain, and chronic fatigue. Our team of licensed psychologists uses a variety of treatment modalities to help you achieve a high quality of life despite your diagnosis, including Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Meditation & Mindfulness, Neurofeedback, and Hypnosis. They understand the psychological effects of and the medical science underlying these chronic conditions, allowing them to work effectively alongside your medical team. Centrally located in Miami, Florida, they offer psychotherapy in both English and Spanish to help you and your family members cope after diagnosis of:
How long will I be in therapy before I start to feel better?
Some people feel better after a couple of sessions and it takes longer for others It really depends on the severity of the anxiety and/or depression, the presence of one or both those conditions, and how well medically managed your chronic condition is.
Will you make me take more pills?
No, we’re psychologists (not psychiatrists), so we don’t prescribe medications. (You can click here to learn more about the difference). We respect whatever your decision regarding medications, and we’ll do our best to provide you with the support you need to achieve your goals in therapy.
Can you work together with my other doctors?
Absolutely. Dr. Martinez-Mesa welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with your team of physicians to make sure you get comprehensive care. As a trained physician himself, Dr. Martinez-Mesa is able to communicate effectively with other physicians about your medical diagnosis and mental health (not every therapist can do this with such ease).
You’ll need to sign an authorization for him to communicate with them about your treatment, and he’ll be all set to work with your treatment team.
It’s hard to explain my illness to people because I don’t look sick. Can therapy help me with this?
Counseling can definitely help you better communicate with others about your chronic illness. Our therapists can teach you different communication skills and assertiveness techniques so you can advocate for yourself.
I have a very rare diagnosis. Will you still still be able to help me?
Yes. Dr. Frank Martinez-Mesa is a double doctor – he’s a trained physician (MD) and a licensed psychologist (PsyD). His medical knowledge is extensive, but even if he doesn’t know about a particular diagnosis, his learning curve is quick. He’ll be able to help you address the mental health aspects of your diagnosis and confer effectively with your team of doctors.
It’s hard to get out of the house some days. Do you offer an alternative?
Yes, we offer telehealth sessions because we know that some days you just can’t, much less to go to more doctor appointments. Just keep in mind that online therapy can’t replace the powerful effect of being face-to-face with your therapist. Additionally, some insurance companies will not reimburse you for telehealth sessions.
My chronic condition is taking its toll on my family. Can you help them, too?
Absolutely. It takes a village, right? Chronic disease, chronic pain, and chronic fatigue can significantly affect relationships between partners/spouses, among family members, and with friends – especially if they play a caregiving role in your life. They can participate in your therapy as appropriate.
My family and/or employer don’t believe that I’m sick. Can counseling help with this?
It can. In therapy, you can learn ways to advocate for yourself with people that don’t understand chronic conditions. Additionally, your therapist can help you learn different ways to cope with such people because let’s be real…they may never fully get it. If it’s appropriate, your therapist may also speak with them to educate them further about your chronic condition, their role in your treatment, and make suggestions about ways they may be able to support you.
One of 3 Top Rated Psychologists in Miami, FL