Specialized
Therapy for Type II Diabetes
“Welp, another Doctor’s appointment where they told me I’m not taking good enough care of myself - why is it so hard for me to get this together?”
“Oh gosh, once again, just heard people joke about how they’re going to “be Diabetic” after having dessert. If they only knew…”
“I am really sick (literally) of not being able to get my meds because they’re ‘trendy’ right now.”
Does your Brain ever sound like this when you’re thinking about Type II Diabetes?
“I have to do this crap for the rest of my life…seriously? I am so burnt out.”
“Cool, another person just looked at me like I’ve done something wrong when I disclosed my condition to them.”
My Dear, Type II Diabetes is A LOT.
My Dear, Type II Diabetes is A LOT.
While our disordered society prefers to think about Diabetes in terms of personal blame and a simple need to “eat healthy” it’s SO MUCH more than that.
The reality is that women with Type II Diabetes are 2 to 3x more likely to develop Depression and Anxiety than people living without the condition along with burnout and some VERY understandable chronic anger.
But wait, to top it off, stress (particularly toxic stress, but healthy stress too) affects people living in Diabetic bodies in completely different ways than those not living in Diabetic bodies. So, how do you manage that?
And, if that wasn’t enough, Diabetes, particularly Type II Diabetes is an unjustly stigmatized condition. From your local newscasters to Instagram ads that make you feel like your body is wrong and that if you’re not drinking a green smoothie for every meal, do you actually want to get better?
Side note: can you imagine drinking a green smoothie every meal for blood sugar control? LOL, what a mess.
Please remember: Diabetes is part of your life, but it doesn’t have to define your life.
As a Therapist who has been in the “pre-diabetic” range many times, keeps track of her insulin levels and is constantly monitoring the co-dependent relationship between my mood and blood sugar, I have SO MUCH love for women living with Type II Diabetes.
In much of my research about the psychological experience of those of us living with metabolic conditions a common theme comes up again and again, especially about women - these conditions can be hard to wrap our brains around because they are at once VERY visible but also invisible. A Diabetes diagnosis will change everything about your life, yet much of the extra labor you’re doing to just get through the day will go unseen…by mostly everyone. However, there are physical changes that can be seen, depending on many factors (some of which are out of your personal control) and, my oh my, do people feel qualified to comment on these changes.
Maybe you’re struggling to figure out how to reclaim yourself from your Diabetes or reorient your lifestyle in the midst of a new diagnosis. Maybe you’re really fed up with being treated like you brought this condition “upon yourself” and need to figure out who you are, apart from all that disrespectful rhetoric. Maybe, you are just trying to do some deep therapy work with a therapist who understands that some days are just “off,” no matter how much deep breathing you did, because that’s just how Diabetes rolls. Whatever it is, I would be honored to accompany you in your reclamation of your healthcare and your life.
How I Can Help…
First things first, we are going to get to know each other really, really well. I am going to do my best to help both you and I attune to your values, your learning style and your current priorities.
When I am sitting in session with a client I’m always asking myself “how can we take our sacred conversation and turn it into practical and manageable steps for you to take into the rest of your life? Life, and healthcare management specifically, is already full overwhelm, we don’t need to bring those vibes into our time together, too.
Once we’ve settled into our therapeutic relationship, we have so many fantastic avenues we travel down during sessions, depending on your specific needs and personal agency. No treatment is better or worse than the other, it all depends on what your unique body and brain require to get you to a place where you breathe easier.
Something which sets my approach apart is how seriously I take my responsibility to collaborate with the rest of your care team and how I am able to leverage my experiences within healthcare settings to communicate professionally and thoroughly with other providers.
To help illustrate my approach, I have created a graphic below. As a therapist, I see myself as someone in your life helping you carry two buckets on behalf of your highest good.
