What is Health Psychology?

Health psychology is based on the understanding that the mind and body are interconnected: what affects one can affect the other. For example, stress not only feels unpleasant emotionally; it also produces adverse physical outcomes, such as high blood pressure, hormonal changes, and changes in blood sugar regulation. Conversely, physical health problems often impact mental health and may contribute to symptoms such as anxiety or depression. A health psychologist helps individuals recognize these bidirectional connections and develop skills to prevent or reduce negative outcomes in either direction.

In my practice, I focus primarily on sleep disorders, although I also work with pain and metabolic health difficulties. Sleep concerns may include insomnia, nightmares, and circadian rhythm difficulties, among others. When working with pain, I help clients navigate chronic pain, headaches or migraines, and the emotional toll of living with discomfort. In terms of metabolic health, therapy may focus on weight and diabetes management, body image, and adjusting to medical recommendations.

These three areas are quite interconnected. Poor sleep can intensify pain and disrupt appetite, making healthy habits harder to maintain. Chronic pain can disrupt sleep and make it harder to stay active, which may contribute to weight gain over time. Changes in metabolic health can influence inflammation, weight, and mechanical strain on the body, which may worsen pain and increase the risk of sleep apnea. Mental and emotional health add another important layer. When a person’s mental health is strained, it can intensify this cycle; when it is more stable, it can help interrupt it. For that reason, the goal is to look at the full picture.

Health psychology is distinct from traditional therapy, though the two overlap in meaningful ways. Both are equally important, but they often serve different roles. General therapy tends to focus on thoughts, feelings, relationships, and mental health. Health psychology focuses specifically on how mental and physical health interact, with the goal of helping people change what worsens symptoms and reinforce what improves health. Please reach out if you could use help in any of these areas. My practice is devoted exclusively to health psychology, and I am committed to helping people improve their functioning and quality of life.