Health Psychology

Transforming Stress into Strength

Health Psychology: A Pathway to Comprehensive Well-being

Health psychology provides a bridge between mental and physical health, focusing on the interconnectedness of both aspects to achieve overall wellness. Understanding how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors impact physical health is key to making informed lifestyle changes that can transform both mental and physical outcomes.

The Role of Health Psychology in Enhancing Well-being

Through health psychology, individuals can explore the psychological and psychophysiological factors that influence health behaviors and address the emotional challenges related to chronic conditions. Whether it’s managing stress, navigating illness (short-term, chronic, or terminal), or building healthier habits, health psychology offers strategies that are deeply rooted in research and tailored to individual needs.

Benefits of Health Psychology

1.   Stress Management: Chronic stress has a profound effect on health. Through health psychology, individuals can learn coping strategies that reduce the physical toll stress takes on the body. One can be taught how to recognize nervous system patterns and intervene in them was science-based techniques.

2.  Chronic Illness Support: Health psychology offers vital support for those living with chronic conditions, helping to manage pain, improve adherence to treatment, and foster resilience in the face of ongoing health challenges.

3. Behavior Change: From smoking cessation, and improved diet to weight management, health psychology can support behavior change that leads to long-term physical and mental health improvements.

4.  Trauma Recovery: Trauma often affects both mental and physical well-being. Health psychology offers a trauma-informed approach to healing, helping individuals regain control over their health.

5. Interventions for Sleep Disruption and Disorders: Many sleep concerns have roots in behaviors and can be addressed through lifestyle changes.

Evidence-Based Techniques for Lasting Change

Health psychology interventions often include evidence-based techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness practices. Dr. White is a Diplomat of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine and as aboard certified professional in lifestyle medicine, a science-based field of medicine that focuses on the prevention of chronic conditions through changes to lifestyle as well as lifestyle interventions to treat a wide variety of diseases. These approaches include helping individuals manage anxiety, depression, and stress as well as health-related behaviors.

A Holistic Approach to Health

Dr. Brooke White is a board certified clinician with over 25 years of experience in sports and health psychology.

Health psychology doesn’t just focus on mental health but integrates lifestyle changes, nutritional guidance, exercise, and self-care practices to create a holistic health plan. This comprehensive approach ensures that individuals can work toward both mental clarity and physical vitality.

Why Choose Full Circle Health and Wellness for Health Psychology?

  • Expertise in Mind-Body Health: Dr. White specializes in the critical relationship between mental and physical health, ensuring a comprehensive approach to wellness.

  • Trauma-Informed Care: With a deep understanding of trauma and its impact on health, Dr. White provides targeted interventions to promote healing and resilience.

  • Evidence-Based Methods: The team uses proven techniques like CBT, ACT, Lifestyle Medicine, and mindfulness to help clients manage stress, chronic conditions, and trauma.

  • Health psychology and Lifestyle Medicine play a significant role in preventive care by promoting healthy behaviors that reduce the risk of illness including cancer, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndromes, and neurodegenerative conditions as well as stress-related illness such as autoimmune conditions. Psychologists work with individuals to prevent health issues through education, behavioral change, and stress reduction, aiming to improve long-term health outcomes.

  • No, health psychology is beneficial for anyone interested in improving their overall wellness and understanding the connection between mind and body. It's valuable for managing stress, enhancing resilience, improving sleep, and boosting mental and physical health. It also aids in positive outcomes in other areas of psychological support including trauma treatment and in addressing anxiety, mood disruption, and stress-related conditions.

  • Health psychology provides tools for managing the emotional and behavioral aspects of chronic illness. Health psychologists work with patients to reduce stress, improve coping strategies, and implement positive lifestyle changes that can enhance quality of life and possibly improve treatment outcomes.

Take the First Step Toward Better Health

If you’re ready to address both your mental and physical health, Dr. Brooke White is here to help. Whether you’re struggling with chronic stress, managing a long-term health condition, or coping with the effects of trauma, Full Circle Health and Wellness’ holistic health psychology approach can support you on your journey to better well-being.