Are you worried about - or actually avoiding - any of the following medical procedures?
- MRI, CT scan, PET scan or ultrasound
- Dental exam or procedures
- Colonoscopy or endoscopy
- Surgery or anesthesia
- Injections, vaccines or blood draws
- Taking your blood pressure
- Mammogram
- Gynecological exam or procedures
- Dermatologic exam or procedures
- Cancer treatment or tests
- Annual check-up
In the near term, avoidance may seem to take care of the worry, but in the long run, it actually increases fearfulness and dread, and your worst thoughts can get the better of you.
I offer focused treatment to help you prepare for specific medical procedures. The work is short-term, typically 4-6 sessions in total.
My goal is to simultaneously increase your sense of control and your ability to tolerate the uncertainties and discomforts of many medical procedures. We work on your understanding of the procedure, your ability to assert yourself and communicate appropriately with your doctor(s) about your needs and preferences, and ensuring you have the physical and emotional support you need.
And I teach you a simple but effective toolkit you can use before and during an exam or procedure, and while waiting for (or coming to terms with) the results. This toolkit includes breathing and relaxation techniques, learning to challenge irrational worries, and using mindfulness and imagery to remain calm during a procedure and also help you heal quickly afterwards.
Here is a sample of a simple practice that is calming to the mind, body, and the whole nervous system: