Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach
FAQs
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What impact can our work together have on my chronic pain illness?
Living with chronic pain can be overwhelming. It impacts every aspect of your life. Soon life can become just about surviving and not really living. On top of it you are probably either getting more information than you can handle or maybe nothing at all. Perhaps you are hearing, "you just have to learn to live with it." I have been told that more times than I can count. While I was upset at the time with that answer, they were right. However, delivering that statement without offering or knowing how to help is useless. This is where a Health Coach comes in. For 23 years I have provided support and education to people with fibromyalgia (see About Me for more info). I have lived with chronic pain since I was a teenager. I have learned how to get my life back and I have witnessed countless others do it too by doing the things we will work on together in coaching. I believe Health Coaching is the gap missing in current medical care for chronic pain. In fact, this is why I became a Health Coach. People really do need to learn how to understand and self-manage this complex illness. In diabetes care, doctors often quickly refer patients to a Diabetes Education program. I think it's imperative that people with chronic pain receive support and education as soon after diagnosis as possible. Every client is different as chronic pain is biopsychosocial. Meaning we all have different biological factors, psychological factors, and social factors. My mission is to help you live your best life with chronic pain.
How can I start working with you?
Contact me to schedule a 25-minute free consultation. I would be happy to answer any questions you have about health coaching and becoming a client. Most people do have questions as health coaching is a newer field. However, coaching has been used for a long time in professional sports and business management. In recent years health coaches have been recognized as an important member of the healthcare team. The Veterans Administration (VA) now has over 2300 health coaches. For more information on how coaching works, visit my Coaching Science page.
What should I do to prepare for my initial consultation?
I will send you a link to a health assessment that you will complete before this visit. We will discuss your assessment at this appointment and it is a tool for helping me understand where you are now, and where you wish to go with your health and wellness.
How many sessions are recommended?
For minor issues, this process could take a few weeks or a few months of weekly or biweekly sessions. For bigger issues, it is not unusual for the process to take 6-12 months or even longer. Chronic Pain Illnesses are highly individualized because they are biopsychosocial. Meaning, no two people have the exact mix of biological factors, psychological factors, and social factors. Health Coaching works because it addresses all of these factors. No two clients are alike. You will never be compared to how anyone else is doing. Your life, and your health challenges are unique to you.
How soon until I can expect results?
According to teacher and author Dorothy Corkville Briggs, “Growth is not steady, forward, upward progression. It is instead a switchback trail; three steps forward, two back, one around the bushes, and a few simply standing, before another forward leap.”
Health Coaching is about learning new behaviors. According to Behavioral Psychologists, learning new behaviors and turning them into habits can take 3-6 months. If you really want to see if Health Coaching can help you with your chronic pain, I would recommend giving it a minimum of three months so you can really judge if the process is beneficial. It is a commitment, but the reward is reclaiming your life.
Do you accept insurance?
Not currently unless you are a client through a PACT physician that accepts insurance. In which case you will pay for my services through your physician's office. I am hopeful this will change over time. I believe Health Coaching needs to be covered by all insurances. The VA is seeing success with billing codes as well as some of the physicians using PACT.
Is Coaching confidential?
Yes. Your information will never be shared without your requested, written consent. As a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, I must follow the policies and procedures as established by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
What if I try it and decide it's not for me?
Health Coaching is about learning new behaviors. According to Behavioral Psychologists, learning new behaviors and turning them into habits can take 3-6 months. If you really want to see if Health Coaching can help you with your chronic pain, I would recommend giving it a minimum of three months so you can judge if the process is beneficial. I recognize this is a commitment, but the reward is reclaiming your life. Of course, you may end your sessions at any time.