Hope, acceptance, mind-body relationships with Dr. Jen Wellness!
Coming to terms of living with a vestibular condition can be very challenging. At the start, it’s easy to get absorbed in just trying to find answers to reach a diagnosis and learn treatment options; all while feeling the full effect of your vestibular symptoms.
Throughout this process, it is hard to not lose hope as life as you know it is turned upside down, and you wonder if you’ll ever be able to return to the activities, hobbies or work that you enjoyed before your vestibular diagnosis. First off, YES you will be able to return to a fulfilling life and have hobbies and you will have good days again. But, like most things in life, progress is not a straight uphill climb, but full of peaks and valleys. Because of this, it is important to find acceptance of your vestibular condition to help pave your way to a fulfilling life.
Jennifer Warner is a licensed social worker, integrative psychotherapist with additional certifications in the treatment of traumatic stress, and holistic health counseling and nutrition. Today she is sharing some of her vast knowledge with us on finding acceptance for tough situations or navigating life with chronic conditions. Jen is a vestibular warrior herself, so she understands first hand what it is like living with a vestibular condition.
The first message Jen shares with us is that acceptance is not interchangeable with giving up but is a way to move forward. One form of therapy Jen uses in her practice is called “Acceptance and Commitment Therapy” or ACT therapy. This type of therapy uses mindfulness strategies to focus on the present and make changes in actions, thoughts or behavior 1. Mindfulness has a lot of great research showing benefits with anxiety, depression, concentration, emotional regulation and busy thoughts2. Accepting vestibular symptoms allows you to assess your current situation and pivot your direction based on this information.
Listed below, Jen shares the three A’s to ACT therapy:
- Acknowledge: yes this is happening
- Allow: don’t fight your symptoms
- Accommodate: what can I do to adjust
Jen has other great tools geared towards vestibular conditions/symptoms as well as an amazing skill set that can be applied to other chronic conditions, anxiety, depression, trauma, and many others. Her focus on the mind body relationship is a very holistic approach to care that we find invaluable. Check out her website to learn more or contact her via email below!
Contact info
Jennifer Warner LCSW, LICSW
Integrative Psychotherapy
Trauma and wellness consulting
If you want to learn more about what Jen has to say, click the link below to find out how you can calm your anxiety, practice acceptance, and understand the best way to manage anxiety and your vestibular disorder.
Disclaimer:
Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.
Resources
- Steven Hayes. (n.d.). Acceptance & Commitment Therapy. Association for Contextual Behavior Science. Retrieved April 7, 2022, from https://contextualscience.org/act
- Research – UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center – Los Angeles, CA. (n.d.). UCLA Health. Retrieved April 7, 2022, from https://www.uclahealth.org/marc/research#:%7E:text=Research%20in%20mindfulness%20has%20identified,%2C%20positive%20affect%2C%20and%20concentration
