This week we had a great conversation with Stephanie Brenner! Stephanie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Chronic Illness Psychotherapy in Evanston, IL who has 13 years of experience working with clients with chronic illnesses. Through her journey as an IBD patient and clinician, she has developed a passion for helping people with health challenges live their lives to the fullest. We talked to her about how living with her IBD helped her develop a passion for being a therapist for kids and adults with chronic illnesses. We also discussed doing therapy with kids, medical hypnotherapy, medical gaslighting and how she works with people as they take on a new identity as they cope with a new diagnosis. We also discuss the guide for parents of kids with Crohn's that she wrote in coordination with Tina Aswani-Omprakash (Own Your Crohn's, SAIA, etc!). We spent a while talking about how she works with patients who may need to address challenges with healthcare providers who they need to remain connected to. We discussed so many aspects of mental health and tapped into Steph's professional experience and brain that we'll have to bring her back to talk more about her IBD and living with an ostomy!

Please keep in mind that the views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and should not be considered medical or legal advice. Please consult with your healthcare team on any changes to your disease, diet, or treatment. We want you to stay safe and healthy! ;)

Links:

• The Circle of Care Guidebook for Caregivers of Children and Adolescents Managing Crohn's Disease
• Find Camp Oasis- camp for kids with IBD- Crohn's & Colitis Foundation USA
• Resources from ImproveCareNow- for kids with IBD
• Find an IBD trained therapist- Rome GI Psych
• Episode with Dr. Meredith Craven about hypnotherapy
• Episode with Robin and Hannah Cramer about doing EMDR
• Episode with Courtney Robert, LCSW about EMDR

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