KERRY J HECKMAN, LICSW
  • Blog
  • About
  • Therapy & Groups
  • Resources
  • Writing
  • Poetry
  • Speaking
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer

Column: What Is a Lyme Literate Therapist?

1/1/2020

1 Comment

 
If you have Lyme you are aware of a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor or LLMD, but have you heard of a Lyme Literate Therapist? 

We are not a myth, we do exist.

Lyme Literate therapists are a small community of therapists who understand Lyme and how it affects a person on every level—mental, emotional, physical, social, financial, and spiritual—and offer care based on that understanding. 

Imagine going to a therapist who questions your Lyme diagnosis. Imagine the therapist minimizing your symptoms or attempting to diagnose those symptoms as a manifestation of a mental illness. It's something that happens. It’s rate, but it can be a barrier to a person with Lyme disease accessing necessary mental health care. That's where Lyme Literate Therapists come in.
Picture
(This post contains affiliate links)

Typically, Lyme Literate Therapists either have Lyme disease themselves or are close to someone who does. This allows the client to feel like they are truly heard and understood by someone who has been there and knows the unique challenges.

​One of those challenges is the controversy related to Lyme disease itself. There are differing opinions in the medical community about Lyme disease, including how and how long to treat it. Every time a person with Lyme meets someone new they have to make a decision about whether or not to tell them about their Lyme diagnosis. LLTs don’t want our office to be another place you feel misunderstood and alone. 

If you have Lyme disease and could use someone to talk to, you may consider seeking out a Lyme Literate Therapist. I’ll be honest, it isn’t easy. There are not many of us and we are spread out all across the country. 

Due to the geographical constraints of therapy, many LLTs practice remote therapy or Telehealth through videoconference. 
Picture

​We, as Lyme Literate Therapists, communicate with one another about how best to support those with Lyme disease. We are working together on ways to get the word out and also to provide training to other mental health professionals, so that there are more of us. We are raising awareness in our field, so that a person with Lyme can walk into any therapists office and be understood and believed. 

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." - Maya Angelou
1 Comment

    Welcome

    I'm Kerry (She/Her/Hers) and I am a licensed therapist, group facilitator, poet, writer, & speaker. This is a place to acknowledge and validate our suffering and trauma, while also learning how to turn toward aliveness and spaciousness. 

    Kerry J Heckman

    Categories

    All
    Book Reviews
    Columns
    Guest Posts
    Healing Words
    Publications
    Tuning In

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016

    RSS Feed

      SIGN UP BY EMAIL

    Subscribe
Copyright © 2022 Kerry J Heckman All rights reserved. Disclaimer.

    Sign up For Newsletter

Subscribe
  • Blog
  • About
  • Therapy & Groups
  • Resources
  • Writing
  • Poetry
  • Speaking
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer