SERIOUS MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS /
LIFE THREATENING ILLNESS

Individuals and families touched by a serious medical diagnosis or chronic illness such as: cancer, heart disease, HIV, kidney failure, diabetes, muscular dystrophy, crohn’s, epilepsy, and others, are impacted physically, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually. In a moment, a person’s life is changed. The effects can be pervasive, impinging on physical and emotional well-being, work, sexual relationships and family life. There is a sense of loss of control over one’s life. The future becomes uncertain, as do relationships and roles one has previously assumed.

Illness of a family member is a crisis that affects the whole family. Everyone in the person’s life is touched. During such a crisis, counseling can help families pull together and reaffirm their personal values and commitment to one another thus providing an opportunity for family growth.

Studies show that the most positive outcomes can be achieved when the person’s psychological state is addressed along with his/her medical condition.

Counseling can help by:

• Dealing with the crisis of the initial diagnosis
• Reducing stress through the use of self-relaxation and other behavioral stress management techniques
• Identifying individual, couple and family strengths
• Helping partners/caregivers with care taking and self-care issues
• Teaching behavioral pain management techniques
• Improving outlook and self-esteem
• Maintaining intimacy and dealing with sexual issues
• Coping with grief and loss associated with a chronic or life-threatening illness