Grief and stress of any kind can have a profound effect on our immune systems producing injurious results which can be both immediate and cumulative.
When a person is grieving or suffering from a traumatic experience, typical symptoms include decreased energy, poor sleep, apathy, loss of concentration, changes in eating patterns and anxiety.
In addition there may be physical symptoms of almost any kind including headaches, joint pains and muscle aches.
Physical and psychological stress has also been implicated in the development of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis , asthma, inflammatory bowel disease (i.e. Crohn’s disease ), multiple sclerosis and Grave’s or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. These conditions can themselves produce a new source of stress, creating a vicious cycle.
Dr. Goodman-Herrick works with patients to discover the source of their physical and emotional pain, and creates clear plans of action with them to attend to both their physical and emotional symptoms. She works in tandem with her patients on strengthening their physiological selves while providing coaching on how to regain a sense of equilibrium in their lives.
Like many of us, Dr. Goodman-Herrick has experienced specific traumatic losses during her lifetime. She has a special affinity for her patients who are working through grief. She also believes that her own experience gives her an empathy and compassion for grieving people that is crucial to helping her patients heal.
- Dr. Goodman-Herrick will take a complete history of all symptoms in an environment of safe, nonjudgmental listening.
- She will explore homeopathic remedies that will attend to their specific symptoms.
- She will provide coaching on self-care and creating healthy priorities for recovering strength and well-being
- Each patient is seen as an individual, and Dr. Goodman-Herrick is careful to encourage healing at the pace at which each patient can manage
- Dr. Goodman-Herrick also notes that many people carry grief from losses in their families of origin, and sometimes those historic traumas have had a lasting impact. She is careful to offer the opportunity – for patients who wish to explore this – a chance to look at their health histories in a new light.