Mental Health Support for People with Disabilities

​We all face challenges and difficulties navigating the stresses of everyday life. For   people with disabilities, unique challenges can impact their mental and emotional well-being, compounding the stresses of life. Therapy can play an important role in providing emotional support to people with disabilities and their families, providing a place for them to explore their feelings and process their emotions in a safe, judgment-free space. If you or a loved one live with   a disability and are seeking support, there is a place for you in therapy. 

Feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression are some of the problems that many individuals with disabilities experience. Living with experiences of discrimination or stigma can contribute to these negative feelings. The good news is that therapy is a space created to help you process the challenges you have faced as a result of this societal stigma. Your therapist can help you process these instances, and learn coping skills to help you live a happier, healthier life. . Though life experiences can negatively impact mental health, you do not have to struggle alone. Our therapists want to hear your story and support you as you build your toolkit in navigating life’s challenges.

​Your unique identity as a disabled person is something that can be difficult to manage as it is not the societal “norm.” Our therapists understand that disability is an important aspect of identity that should not be overlooked. If you are struggling to accept your disability, therapy may be a place to help you process and understand this aspect of your identity. Therapy can help you become comfortable in your own skin and ultimately learn to appreciate and accept this important part of yourself. Your therapist will work with you to enhance your self-esteem and build your self-confidence to ultimately allow you to accept yourself just the way you are.
 
It is common to feel isolated in your experience as a disabled person, which can lead to feelings of loneliness or rejection. Therapy can help you improve your relationship with yourself and others so that you are equipped to form meaningful relationships in your life. It may also help you build important interpersonal skills to foster the current relationships in your life. Your therapist can also help to connect you with resources in the disability community to further enhance your sense of connection and community. Through therapy, you can connect with a therapist who understands your journey and will serve as a support system.

Investing in your mental health is a powerful decision. If you’re ready to explore how therapy can support you on your journey, we are here to help. OC Family Wellness Group is dedicated to making therapy accessible for people with disabilities including those with sensory challenges, developmental disabilities, and physical disabilities. Your therapist will work with you to provide a personalized therapeutic experience that accommodates your unique needs. 
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Our practice is accessible for individuals with physical disabilities, and you are welcome to join through telehealth if there are transportation difficulties. The office also offers a sensory room for individuals who have specialized sensory needs. Our practice offers a soothing, calm environment that is supportive of all specialized needs. Whether you would like to come into the office and have a session in the sensory room or have a session through telehealth in the comfort of your own home, there is a safe space for you in therapy. We look forward to joining you on your journey and helping you to live a rich and rewarding life!  

The Benefits of Family Therapy
 
Family Therapy can be extremely helpful for families struggling with communication issues, patterns of dysfunction, and conflicts between members. Ideally, family therapy involves members who are adolescent age or older. 
 
The overall goals of family therapy include improving family engagement, reframing relationships, changing maladaptive behavior by teaching new skills that improve communication, and restructuring emotional processes to encourage insight into cycles of behavior. Family Therapy is an evidence based practice that relies on theoretical approaches to enhance the relationships between family members.
 
As important as it is to know what family therapy is, it is also important to know what family therapy is NOT. Family Therapy is not a quick fix. Although some modalities are shorter in duration, all forms of therapy require adequate time, work and patience to see results. Family Therapy is also not a blame game. Each family member contributes something unique and important to the family system. Family Therapy can help identify these qualities so that the family unit remains intact. 
 
In family therapy, the role of the therapist is to create connections with the family as a whole. With these connections, the family therapist is able to help each family member express emotions, dissolve barriers, and come to a mutual understanding of the presenting issues. The therapist models appropriate communication skills along with impartial attitudes. The therapist is able to reframe the problem and help the family move toward resolution by developing problem solving skills in a safe space.
 
If your family is dealing with communication issues, an adolescent with difficult behaviors, divorce, or any other identifiable problem, family therapy may be a way to address these problems in a safe and effective manner. Even in families with conflict that seems to be never ending, family therapy can be a safe, effective solution to be able to strengthen family bonds and work toward healthier communication. It’s never too late to learn healthier ways of interacting with those you care about most. 
 
References:
 
National Library of Medicine (2023). Core Elements of Family Therapy for Adolescent Behavior Problems: Empirical Distillation of Three Manualized Treatments. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
 
National Library of Medicine (2023). Family Interventions: Basic Principles & Techniques. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov
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With Valentine's Day just around the corner, you are probably seeing masses of sugary commercials—seemingly everywhere you turn—of couples being romantic with each other with lavish displays of affection. Now that you've had a baby together, it may seem like such a long time ago that you once had that time for one another, or felt that romantic connection. 

With your little one needing your undivided attention and what seems like all of your time (not to mention sleep!), it may seem impossible to have any energy to give to one another.
It probably feels like the only time you communicate is to talk about the baby. Or worse, to argue because both of you are so frustrated, sleep deprived, and overwhelmed. (If a new mom is dealing with intense mood swings post-baby, please see below on what’s normal to expect.)

Everything has shifted. Many couples feel wistful for their old relationship, before children and have no idea how to reconnect with their partner or to get "back to the way it used to be". Therein lies the issue, it likely will not ever really be exactly the same. Don't despair! Instead, find a way to create a "new normal" with your partner, to reconnect and start rebuilding your romantic relationship, post-baby. 

You might be asking, "How do I do this? I'm so tired, I haven't slept more than 2 hours a night for weeks, and even washing my hair feels like a victory! How in the world do I carve out time and muster up energy to give to my partner as well as my baby?" 

Well, there is a simple solution. All you need to do is find ONE thing the two of you used to do together before baby, and find a way to recreate that at home, maybe when the baby is asleep. Perhaps you liked to watch a favorite TV show while eating frozen yogurt or indulging in some popcorn. Think of something you can do together—to recharge—instead of using more energy to think of grand date night ideas or how to spice up your sex life. All of that will come with time, as your baby gets older and becomes more independent. You will eventually feel more comfortable finding a sitter or loved one to watch your baby so you can get of the house. 

If you are at that stage now, give yourself permission to have a night out together, and accept help that is given to you. If you can't even imagine leaving your infant alone, then some of these "at home date night" suggestions should be right up your alley. 

Finding simple moments to reconnect is much more realistic and will take the pressure off. Right now the two of you are focused on taking care of your new baby, and that will take most of your resources, but this is temporary. Finding a new normal in your romantic relationship will take time. For now, focus on finding that one thing that both of you enjoy doing to help the pair of you feel more connected, to ignite that old spark once again. 

Share your ideas

Chime in below with a comment with your best ideas for how to keep the spark alive in your relationship post-baby.

This is an excellent question, and one we hear often. Over 80% of all new mothers deal with intense mood swings for about three weeks following the birth of their children because of their changing hormones. It’s important to understand that if the intensity of these mood swings are still lasting and you or your partner feel overwhelmingly anxious, having intense feelings of anger or irritability, having thoughts that scare you, or are experiencing endless sadness or tearfulness beyond three weeks, we suggest you seek professional guidance and support and/or see your doctor for a check-in, as this may be a sign of postpartum depression or anxiety. You and your partner are not alone. There is help and hope, and soon you’ll be able to carve out a happier “new normal” life post-baby.  

Dr. Parie Faridnia is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of California. 

OC Family Wellness Group loves hearing from couples who may have questions or concerns or who are in need of resources about postpartum life. Knowing when to seek help for yourself or your partner about postpartum issues is not always easy. We are here to help.