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The Center for Special Immunology (CSI) was established with the goal of offering a comprehensive holistic treatment program for its patients. Therefore, psychological considerations are included as part of each patient’s medical care. The integration of medical, nutritional, and psychological treatments is designed to provide optimal care for all patients over and above one intervention alone. The combination is called a Holistic Treatment Team Approach. For patients with immunological disorders, CSI offers the finest evaluation and treatment methods available. Since research has shown a clear link between the immune and psychological systems, CSI offers assessment, support, and psychotherapy in conjunction with its individually designed medical plan of care for each patient. Through this approach, CSI aims to keep our patients’ immune systems as healthy as possible. Studies indicate that 50% to 70% of primary care medical visits are actually related to behavioral functioning and emotional issues which psychotherapists have the expertise to diagnose and treat. In traditional medical practices, all too often patients are referred for numerous medical tests for bodily aches and pains or other physical symptoms (such as fatigue, dizziness, insomnia, etc) that are actually related to depression, anxiety, stress or grief. In addition, current research has shown that including mental health treatment as part of the overall medical treatment plan, can improve health or in some cases, halt disease progression, thereby improving a patient’s physical health status. With any illness, whether it be chronic, or life-threatening, attention to psychological well-being can be as important as medical care itself. A better understanding of what is happening emotionally improves the sense of control over one’s own destiny. Psychosocial interventions can also address feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. The diagnosis of any medical condition can lead to a severe stress reaction. Learning to cope with this stress can significantly affect a patient’s quality of life and the actual medical treatment outcome. In as much as medical diagnosis and treatment remain the foundation of CSI’s holistic approach, the importance of psychological diagnosis and treatment in complementing the medical components of care cannot be overstated. Research documenting the relationship between emotional reactions and physical illness, coupled with surveys showing high frequencies of such reactions in medical patients, underscores the importance of psychological components in patients seeking medical help. Recognition of the underlying psychological issues, often occurring quite predictably and secondarily to a medical illness, is necessary for the accurate interpretation of bodily complaints, the communication of personal feelings, and the joint decision of doctor and patient resulting in an acceptable and effective treatment plan. The nature of CSI’s psychological services is twofold. One goal is to provide support for its patients who are in distress. This approach is intended to promote a sense of stability and control in those who are overwhelmed or confused by their medical condition. In addition, this support is expected to enhance patients’ lifestyles in ways that can directly diminish stress. A particular source of stress arises from fears associated with severe illnesses intensified by misinformation or a lack of societal understanding. The second goal of our services is to offer life-enhancing treatment choices for those who consider themselves in good health. Just as we are committed to the goal of early intervention in the area of medical treatment, we also want to minimize psychological risk through a preventative approach. Therefore, we offer objective support to adjusted individuals by assessing their lives for any foreseeable problems. Overall, our highest concern is our commitment to preserving a sense of meaning and purpose all human beings have a right to experience in their lives, regardless of any illness. The psychological support component of the holistic approach at CSI is dedicated to providing as much information as is required by patients for the choices they face. The following is a list of psychological services we provide: EVALUATIONS
TREATMENTS
You will be asked to complete the Comprehensive Psychological Assessment questionnaire found in your new patient packet, and mail it back to CSI prior to your appointment with the psychotherapist. During your appointment, the psychotherapist will take a thorough history, and explain the role of psychological factors in disease progression, as well as the CSI holistic treatment team approach. A treatment plan will be developed based upon the assessment and your individual needs. You will be subsequently scheduled for neuropsychological testing. WHY HAVE YOU BEEN REFERRED FOR A NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION? WHAT IS A NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION? WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER THE EVALUATION? As many patients at CSI do not have prior personal experience with chronic and life-threatening medical conditions, it is imperative to evaluate each patient individually to assess his or her psychological ability to endure the experience of these types of medical conditions. Two important aspects of immunological disorders underscore this:
With this in mind, it is our mission at CSI:
Educating patients about:
The traditional medical care model, no matter how excellent, does not address all of the critical concerns that are necessary to the ultimate well-being of persons with a chronic illness. At CSI, the holistic integration of medical, nutritional and psychological disciplines is designed to provide superlative care by maximizing not only quantity of life, but most importantly, quality of life. In addition to patients’ well-being, there is another important consideration. This model also allows for improving medical utilization and reducing costs for patients, third party providers, employers, and the larger medical care system in the United States. Energetically supported and well-utilized psychological treatment could very significantly contribute to more effective care by:
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