Remaining Healthy

How do we make behavior changes that protect or improve our health?

While change is occasionally an event that happens in an instant, health-related change more typically is a process. Behavioral medicine involves a sophisticated understanding of change that attends to emotional, psychological and motivational aspect of health behavior.

Much more than a variety of techniques and strategies, behavioral medicine combines research about medical disease and health with psychology’s science-based understanding of the change. It also involves a compassionate appreciation of the human condition.

We all know that change is harder in some instances than others, and that it rarely is a straight path from where we are to where we want (or need) to be. Some of the very same work that I do with individuals as part of ongoing psychotherapy can also be applied in a targeted forum.

I have successfully helped individuals, couples and groups protect or improve health throughout my 25 year career. We begin with a frank discussion about goals and the underlying motivation to achieve one or another goal. This forms the basis of choosing and prioritizing specific objectives, after which we develop a personalized health-change plan. A good plan includes not only strategies and techniques, but also increases the capability and confidence to use them even in challenging circumstances. We identify potential obstacles or barriers that have prevented success in the past, or effect strategies to counter the body’s stress response. Together we choose realistic goals and pace, so that you are accountable to yourself. And we continue to meet to help you initiate, persist and follow through.

What types of psychological changes improve health?

Our work might include some or many different types of intervention that draw from across the field of psychology. You will have my expertise and support throughout your effort.

Raise Awareness

• Learn information about health, behavior and lifestyle
• Teach about the change process and develop a personal change plan
• Learn how others have successfully addressed similar challenges

Contemplate Change

• Harness thoughts, feelings and values about behavior to motivate change
• Identify goals and small, realistic, incremental steps to achieve them
• Evaluate the impact of current behavior on important people in one’s life
• Envision oneself making changes and living differently

Preparation

• Adopt different ways to look at oneself, our behavior and the situation
• Develop personal ownership of change
• Teach (or developing pre-existing) skills necessary for desired change
• Plan effective behavioral strategies
• Adapt to physical and social situations that trigger problematic behavior
• Anticipate and overcoming obstacles and barriers
• Conduct behavioral experiments to “try out” a healthier behavior
• Substitute less dangerous  that is associated with the problem
• Increase confidence that one can adopt new behaviors
• Foster acceptance and compassion as one readies to change

Take Action

• Initiate new behaviors
• Utilize strategies and adjust the plan to deal with actual experiences
• Substitute healthier alternatives for problematic ones
• Initiate and reinforce new behavior
• Avoid and counter cues for problematic behavior
• Manage temptations
• Handle set backs in a way that helps you regroup and recommit
• Cultivate relationships that support change
• Celebrate progress and accomplishment

Maintain Recently-Acquired Changes

• Maintain and strengthen newly-adopted behaviors
• Inoculate against setbacks
• Develop new social roles that support or maintain a new lifestyle
• Internalize changes and new ways to look at oneself