Resources

Coping with Pain is often a big factor for those struggling with illness or disability. Here are some helpful links.

• Pain BC is an organization that strives to help people living with pain, by offering support groups, support lines and self help tools that provide empowerment, education and care: https://www.painbc.ca/
• Pain Improvement offers a step by step self-management pain program including pain education: www.painimprovement.com 
•  Self-Management BC  offers chronic disease self-management programs, personal coaches, and group meetings for BC residents: www.selfmanagementbc.ca
• Emotion Freedom Technique (EFT), aka Tapping, is an alternative technique that helps to relieve pain, anxiety and emotional distress.
  The Tapping Solution- https://www.thetappingsolution.com/tapping-101/ 

Mental Health Links

• BC Crisis Centre - available 24/7, call 310-6789 from anywhere in BC or use the online chat at https://crisiscentre.bc.ca/get-help/
• Moving Forward Family Services - offers affordable and accessible counselling services to underserved communities  -https://www.movingforward.help/

Other Health Links

• Boucher Clinic - offering naturopathic medicine provided by student physicians of the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine: visit https://boucherclinic.org/
• VCMT Massage Therapy Clinic offers therapeutic massage provided by supervised students of the Vancouver College of Massage Therapy: https://vcmt.ca/clinic/

Illness/End of Life Links

• Advanced Care Planning - https://www.fraserhealth.ca/health-topics-a-to-z/advance-care-planning#.YOShMuhKiUk
• Dying with Dignity - https://www.dyingwithdignity.ca/

Suggested Podcasts to listen to:

• Podcast by Cleveland Medical Clinic - Clinical psychologist Regina Josell, PsyD, explains the many emotions that come with grief related to life transitions and ideas to help you get through it. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/podcasts/health-essentials/grief-strategies-for-coping-with-loss-and-big-life-changes 
• Light after Trauma Podcast's host Alyssa Scolari sits down with friend and colleague, Jennifer Bristol, LCSW, to discuss the mind-body connection and the idea that addressing our emotions can help to pacify chronic pain. https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/light-after-trauma/id1528640438?i=1000514971547
• Beyond Trauma - Episode 20: ACEs score and there affects in adulthood. https://beyondtraumapodcast.com/2021/06/episode-20-adverse-childhood-experiences/
• Dr. Nadine Burke - TED Talk - How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime https://www.ted.com/talks/nadine_burke_harris_how_childhood_trauma_affects_health_across_a_lifetime?language=en

Recent articles I've enjoyed and would like to share:

• Pain Management Techniques - an article by medicalnewstoday.com suggesting 13 ways to manage chronic pain. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/pain-management-techniques
• Why Practicing Self-Love Isn't Optional But Necessary: Twelve ways to practice it and getting on board with the #HowBeautifulChallenge, by Michelle P. Maidenberg, Ph.D., MPH, LCSW-R, CGP https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/being-your-best-self/202103/why-practicing-self-love-isnt-optional-necessary

Books that I would recommend relating to chronic illness and pain:

• When the Body Says No - The Cost of Hidden Stress by Gabor Mate, MD.
• The Body Keeps the Score  - Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk, MD

Group counselling sessions support clients coping with chronic illness and/or pain. Groups run for 6 weeks at a time (90 minute sessions), and provide clients with valuable connection, information and skills. The number of participants can range from 4-8 participants, and the cost is $150 for the 6 sessions. Registration is on a first come, first serve basis, so reserve your spot soon by sending a request for contact.