How Psychological Therapy Can Help with Health Conditions

Dr Joanne Stuart
Jul 7
2 min read

Living with a health condition can affect far more than your body — it can shape how you think, feel, and cope each day. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, fatigue, heart disease, an autoimmune disease, diabetes, or a diagnosis like cancer, psychological therapy can offer powerful support.

At Dr Stuart Psychologists, we specialise in helping people manage the emotional and psychological impact of physical health conditions. Therapy isn’t just about talking — it’s about developing tools, insights, and ways of coping that support both mind and body.

Why Health Conditions Affect Mental Health

When you're unwell, life often changes in ways you didn’t expect. You might feel:

Anxious about your health or future
Low in mood, especially if symptoms persist or interfere with daily life
Frustrated, helpless, or even angry about what you've lost
Disconnected from others or misunderstood by those who don’t “get it”

These reactions are completely normal. But when they start to interfere with your ability to cope or enjoy life, therapy can help.

What Does Psychological Therapy Involve?

We use evidence-based approaches like CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), and Compassion-Focused Therapy, which are proven to help with:

Health-related anxiety
Low mood and depression
Sleep difficulties
Pain management
Fatigue and energy regulation
Adjustment to diagnosis or disability
Medical trauma and fear of procedures

Therapy can help you:

Understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, and symptoms
Develop healthy coping strategies
Build self-compassion and reduce self-blame
Regain a sense of control and agency

How Does Therapy Help the Body, Too?

The mind and body are deeply connected. Research shows that psychological therapies can actually improve physical outcomes by:

Reducing stress and inflammation
Improving immune functioning
Supporting medication adherence
Enhancing sleep, which is vital for healing
Improving pain tolerance and fatigue levels

You may not be able to change the condition itself — but therapy can help you change the way it affects your life.

Therapy at Dr Stuart Psychologists

We understand that no two people experience illness the same way. That’s why our approach is always:

Tailored to your condition, lifestyle, and values
Goal-oriented, whether you want to return to work, feel calmer, or find your confidence again
Compassionate, especially when you’re dealing with loss, frustration, or fear