Lyme Literate Counseling at Blatman Health and Wellness
If you or a loved one is suffering with Lyme you know the devastation Lyme Disease leaves in its wake – emotionally, physically, spiritually, and socially. Lyme is a particularly challenging Chronic Illness in that it has a tendency to isolate patients and caregivers leaving them misunderstood by others. At Blatman Health and Wellness we know your symptoms and struggles are real! Unfortunately, more than any other illness we have encountered, the validity of Lyme is questioned and its affects misunderstood by many in the medical community and even by ones family members.
Common Challenges those with Lyme experience:
Isolation and being misunderstood: It can be very difficult to maintain relationships and places of employment while suffering with Lyme which can create a stigma from family, friends and institutions that one is a hypochondriac, lazy, depressed, etc.
Grief/Frustration from missing out on life: When someone is no longer able to do the things they used to do, or should be able to do at their stage of life—be it school, romantic relationships, a career, being a mother or father – it can be intensely sad and frustrating.
Trauma and Lyme symptoms: Often Lyme patients are unaware of the impact that Lyme has had on their emotional life.
Poor Treatment: Most Lyme patients suffer from Misdiagnosis, one-dimensional and/or ineffective treatments.
Fear of never getting better: Many Lyme patient’s fear that they will never get better due to failed treatments or lack of finances needed for new treatments.
Common Challenges Caregivers experience:
Isolation and being misunderstood: It can be very difficult to maintain relationships when family, friends and institutions believe your spouse or child is a hypochondriac, lazy, depressed, etc.
Grief/Frustration from missing out on life: Many Caregivers feel guilty that they want a social life or a meaningful career outside of caregiving. Caregivers may also grieve the “normal” life they had hoped to have with their spouse and/or child.
Trauma and Lyme symptoms: Caregivers are unaware of the trauma impact from being misunderstood and watching loved ones go through debilitating symptoms, pain, etc.
Poor Treatment: Caregivers tend to be the only advocates for their loved one in medical and school communities. Caregivers fight through Misdiagnosis, one-dimensional or ineffective treatment and lack of support from insurance companies, physicians and school systems.
Fear of never getting better: Due to failed treatments or lack of finances needed for new treatments Caregivers can become hopeless that their loved ones will ever get better.
Lyme Disease Treatment Approaches:
Cassie Kingan is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Blatman Health and Wellness. She has a unique understanding of autoimmune and Lyme disease and its impact on emotional health as well as the unique challenges that Caregivers (Parents and Spouses) experience. It is Cassie’s goal to help Patients and Caregivers work through the impact of Lyme. She currently sees teens, adults, and couples using a holistic approach where the mind, body, and spirit are working together in harmony for health and vitality. Cassie assists her clients in recognizing symptoms and developing an integrative model of therapy that will address the whole person and their specific needs as well as offering Care Coordination to address physical illnesses.
Blatman Health and Wellness welcomes Lyme Patients and their Caregivers. We offer you a safe space to be yourself and receive treatment. Dr Blatman and his staff will gladly collaborate with your Lyme Physician to achieve your goals.
