Living Well With Multiple Sclerosis

How I Can Help

Research has shown that integrative approach is most effective for treating multiple sclerosis… addressing both the physical and psychological aspects. I am an experienced  psychologist with expertise in multiple sclerosis. I offer supportive psychotherapy with a specific focus on symptom management, stress and pain reduction and self-care. My training in safe and effective psychotherapy techniques enables me to help you better manage your health and wellness. To ensure that my clients get the best care, I work in conjunction with neurologists, primary-care physicians, physical therapists, psychiatrists and complimentary and alternative practitioners.

Research has also indicated a relationship between coping strategies and MS symptoms. This means that managing your stress and emotions can help you to better manage and possibly decrease your MS symptoms. Psychological factors such as mood, beliefs about symptoms and coping style have been found to play an important role in an individual’s ability to live well with multiple sclerosis.

In your psychotherapy sessions, you will learn how to:

MS also significantly impacts those who love and care about you. I can help couples and families to better address the needs of everyone affected by living with multiple sclerosis.

My Experience

I have extensive experience working with multiple sclerosis. I am a Partner in Care with the National MS Society, have trained mental health professionals to better serve their clients living with MS and am writing a book on that topic. I also co-authored a training manual on MS for primary-care physicians, facilitated numerous workshops and groups for the Northern California Chapter of the MS Society and sit on that Chapter’s Clinical Advisory Committee.

What Is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that impairs the normal functioning of the central nervous system. It is a chronic, unpredictable and sometimes, disabling disease. Only a qualified neurologist after a series of tests can confirm a diagnosis of MS. Although much progress has been made, the cause and cure are still unknown. However, there are some very promising drug and complementary treatments that your neurologist can discuss with you.

MS symptoms may be mild, moderate or severe. The course of MS can include relapses and remissions or progressively increasing symptoms. Some people will experience only a few symptoms in the course of their MS while others will experience many more. MS symptoms can also vary from day–to-day for any given individual. There is a higher incidence of depression in people living with multiple sclerosis. In addition, some medications used to treat MS can have depression as a side effect.

Multiple Sclerosis symptoms can include:

Balance — a key to living well with multiple sclerosis