Injury and Rehabilitation
Injury is an unfortunate part of life. It is likely that at some point our life will be interrupted by an unexpected illness or injury. This period of time can be incredibly difficult to adjust to, as the things which are taken away from us may be a large piece of our identity. There are questions that can come up with this, who am I if I’m unable to do _____. Working as an Athletic Therapist, I was witness to the psychological distress this process takes on people. Pain becomes our reality, relationships may dissolve, and we may begin to feel alone.
We can become stuck in this stage, having other health practitioner’s, friends, family, coaches, etc. tell us that we should be better, and invalidating the experience that is our every day reality. You may find yourself ignoring your prescribed rehab exercises, doing things which increase the symptoms you may be experiencing, and your progress towards healing stalling as a result. There are many factors to consider which can contribute to our injured state, and many factors to consider which can lead us out of it.
There are ways in which we can work together to alleviate the negative emotions you may be feeling as a result of your injury. By utilizing methods developed in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Mindfulness, and Existentialism we can assess those opportunities for improvement, develop plans, and reassess progress. My history as an Athletic Therapist will allow me to assist you to reach your physical goals while keeping an eye on your mental health throughout this journey.
I believe that therapy shouldn’t be something that is done to you, but that you are engaged in. I practice from a feedback informed model, meaning that I am looking for your feedback. What is working, what you enjoy, what is difficult, and if you feel that the environment is a safe place where you’re able to express yourself. Part of this therapy will be doing things outside of our sessions together, but it is important that we agree upon these goals, as your investment into the treatment plan is important to me. This is the goal, and when this is achieved it will allow us to work together to create the life you want to aim at.
