Month: March 2020

desk sign saying president
From the President

(Why) Would I Ever Want To Do That?

Zeeshan Butt, PhD Associate Professor, Medical Social Sciences, Surgery (Organ Transplantation), & Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine   The Society for Health Psychology is a Division of the American Psychological Association (APA). It can be confusing sometimes: members sometimes equate what the Society does with the Association work, and vice versa. If I had a nickel for every time somebody got the … Continue reading (Why) Would I Ever Want To Do That?

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Conversation Corner

Neutralizing the Weight of our Biases

Jessica L. Lawson, PhD Clinical Health Psychologist VA Connecticut Healthcare System- West Haven Yale School of Medicine     She sat across from me, legs crossed and arms folded protectively around herself, as if to try to hide her body as she shared her experience with me. Gazing down at the floor she explained that she did not want to make a return visit to her … Continue reading Neutralizing the Weight of our Biases

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Rare Diseases and Disorders

Functional Neurological Disorders: Forging a Path forward for Patients with Disabling Symptoms

Kathrin LaFaver, MD Associate Professor of Neurology Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine If you have never heard of Functional Neurological Disorders (FND), you are not alone. Despite being one of the most common reasons for patients to see a neurologist1, FND have largely stayed out of the spotlight. Triggered by emotional or physical stress factors, FND can cause tremor, weakness, seizure-like attacks, speech problems, … Continue reading Functional Neurological Disorders: Forging a Path forward for Patients with Disabling Symptoms

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Interdisciplinary Corner

Partnering Up to Ease Chronic Pain: A Physical Therapy and Health Psychology Experience

Jennifer Walker, PT, DPT Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven Campus   Healthcare providers have the responsibility to provide patient centered excellence in health care and do no harm to those they work with. In my experience as a practicing Doctor of Physical Therapy, I have learned that the first fifteen minutes of an evaluation with a patient can set … Continue reading Partnering Up to Ease Chronic Pain: A Physical Therapy and Health Psychology Experience

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The Voice of Early Career Psychologists

It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint: Developing Healthy Habits for a Sustainable Career

Marchion Hinton, P.h.D., LP Associate Program Director Behavioral Science Co-Director Family Medicine Residency Program Hennepin County Medical Center   There are many competing priorities to juggle throughout any given work day: documenting patient encounters, supervision responsibilities, fighting imposter syndrome. Managing the full list of responsibilities and pressures with finite resources can lead to mental and emotional exhaustion. We know that healthy habits inspire healthy lifestyles … Continue reading It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint: Developing Healthy Habits for a Sustainable Career

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From the Editor's Desk

Welcome to the Spring Issue of The Health Psychologist

Valeria Martinez-Kaigi, PhD, M.Sc. Associate Research Scientist Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine   Welcome to the latest issue of The Health Psychologist!  Take a moment to check out new reoccurring columns: Rare Diseases and Disorders which provides clinically relevant information from experts on diseases/disorders that are not widely known and Clinical Highlight which highlights a clinical population and evidence-based practice. This issue features the practice of health psychology in the context of rehabilitation medicine, neurology, and … Continue reading Welcome to the Spring Issue of The Health Psychologist

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