099 Lyme Literate Counselor’s (It’s true, they really do exist!)

<ul> <li> <p>About My Guest:</p> <p>Julie Parker gets the complexities of Lyme and counseling. Too many times, Lyme patients have been told their symptoms are imaginary. They've been referred to multiple specialists, had more tests run than they can count, and are told to seek psychiatric help because nothing is really wrong physically. Then, when a Lyme diagnosis <em>is</em> made, family and friends don't understand the disease or why treatment can make you feel worse before you get better. You can end up isolated and with minimal support. Julie Parker understands what you're going through.  Not only is she Lyme Literate (trained to help those with Lyme and other chronic illnesses), but she and family members have Lyme disease and personally know the trials of diagnosis and treatment. </p> <p>Key Takeaways:</p> <ul> <li>Getting a diagnosis of Lyme disease is at first a relief, because you get some validation that you aren’t crazy. (2:00)</li> <li>Very quickly you begin to understand the reality that treating Lyme disease is a HUGE monster of a task.</li> <li>The treatment process with Lyme is often a miserable and expensive process.</li> </ul> </li> <li>The complexities of treating Lyme will completely change the way you view mental health. It will change everything about your practice.</li> <li> <ul> <li>What I had been taught in grad school about the body and brain connection was completely different than what my patients were saying. </li> <li>In grad school, we were taught that the brain is very powerful and can manifest physical symptoms, as a result of psychological conditions.</li> <li>Now when a client comes to see me with an acute and chronic mental health condition, I’m looking for an organic cause behind what’s happening. </li> <li>What is your brain causing your body to do=old style of counseling? Now I think what is happening in your body, that is impacting your mental health?  Throw in the ridiculous aspects that come with Lyme disease-like extreme anxiety, isolation, debilitating fatigue, and