Medical Crisis

Medical Crisis of any kind – a new diagnosis, an end to remission, a stroke or a disability- can turn our lives upside down. Life may have felt fine before the medical event occurred, or life may already have been complicated by difficulties and has now been made to feel impossible. Medical crisis can catch a person and a family totally by surprise, and change the shape of the future. Suddenly everything seems to center on learning to live with the demands of medical care, physical limitations, and possible serious financial concerns.

Sometimes, depending on prognosis, we’re required to contemplate death….. our own, or that of someone we love. “Falling apart” under this kind of pressure is not mental illness, it is a normal reaction to unexpected, enormous stress and pressure. Generally we cope best by establishing new priorities and allocating our energies where we need them most to be applied. The therapist’s role is to call forth our courage, to facilitate thinking clearly and communicating gently and effectively, and supporting patient and family in extracting the valuable gifts of love, learning, and healing from this major life experience. This kind of support can transform struggle into growth, pain and disappointment into strength.

If you or someone you love is dealing with a medical crisis, call Samantha (508-207-7149) to set up an introductory appointment. Then you can decide where to go from there.