Diabetes Mental Health

You have T1D and you feel overwhelmed and confused. The frustrations that come along with diabetes can feel overbearing, disappointing, and challenging. As sympathetic as they are, your loved ones and friends don’t fully get it. You feel alone, vulnerable, and unsupported in how to manage your diabetes properly. The mental health effects of living with a chronic illness are not being addressed by your doctors.

You want to feel supported, you want to feel like you are not alone.

Type 1 Diabetes can cause so much anxiety and overwhelm. At times it robs us of so much and makes us feel held back from reaching our goals and dreams. Here is the thing: Type 1 Diabetes is something you have to come to terms with. It’s a chronic disease, which means there will be flare-ups and hard days. However, the stress and anxiety of Type 1 Diabetes is something that you can get support for.

You are not alone in this walk.

I am Shoshana Ort. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I also happen to be someone very familiar with Type 1 Diabetes. I walk this path every day. I know what it is like to struggle with a chronic disease and still have to figure out a way to show up in life. I can help you get support, have a healthier relationship with food, and live lighter even with the constant strain, stress, and anxiety that comes along with T1D.. I understand the want and need of support, the weight of burnout, and the feeling that you do not have control, even after following the guidelines from the doctors. I also struggle with the daily balancing act that never seems to give us a break. I understand the ups and downs of Type 1 Diabetes. The good days, and the rough days. I understand what it looks like when you can’t keep up with all of it.

I can help you with support.

I can help you work through the anxiety of living with Type 1 Diabetes.

I can help you have a healthier relationship with food and your body.

Don’t let the overwhelm of this disease control your life. Don’t let Type 1 Diabetes be the thing that holds you back.

It’s time to get the support you deserve, the support that understands this walk.

Give me a call today at (720)772-7149.

DO YOU FEEL

Exhausted, constantly on edge, and anxious.

DO YOU FEEL

Like you have an unhealthy relationship with food and not a positive body image.

DO YOU FEEL

Confused about what to eat.

DO YOU FEEL

Like your health is holding you back from who you want to be and the life you want to live.

WE GET IT, AND WE CAN HELP.

You are not alone!

Did you know that…

People living with diabetes are at increased risk for depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
Rates of depression across the lifespan are 2 times greater for people with diabetes than in the general population.
People with type 1 diabetes are twice as likely to live with disordered eating.
In women with type 1 diabetes, bulimia is the most common eating disorder while women with type 2 diabetes are more likely to deal with binge eating.

Who’s Behind Diabetes Mental Health

Hi, I’m Shoshana Ort, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who has had T1D since the age of two. I am passionate about helping individuals, parents, families, and couples who are living with T1D to thrive. I specialize in working with anxiety, as well as disordered eating and unhealthy body images and relationships with food. I work with individuals who are newly diagnosed and confused about what steps to take to manage their lives, as well as those who are dealing with diabetes burnout and need someone who really understands the details of living with diabetes. I use various modalities, including CBT, DBT, IFS, motivational interviewing, and more, to help individuals get to the root of where the issues are stemming from, and thrive.

What to expect in our sessions:

Just as diabetes management must be reviewed and adjusted frequently in order to find a long-term solution to care, you may be struggling with different parts of diabetes management at different times, and may need help in different areas, and a different level or frequency of care. I get it, and I’m here to help. In our sessions, naturally, other topics come up like stress, anxiety, relationships, and so forth. By working with various modalities I am able to help the entire person in various aspects that are getting in their way, and help them thrive.

Book me for a presentation

I have presented for the ADCES (Association for Diabetes Care and Education Specialists) as well as the DSMES (Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support) on various topics related to diabetes mental health and management. Reach out to book a speaking engagement.

Get in Touch With Me

Reaching out for help is a sign of strength.

Email us at: shoshana@diabetesmentalhealth.com

Living with type 1 diabetes is like riding a rollercoaster; there are highs and lows, twists and turns, and bouts of anxiety. As someone intimately familiar with this journey, I’ve come to appreciate that seeking support from a therapist is a crucial part of your self-care journey. Here are some questions that can be helpful to ask potential therapists:

Understanding Type 1 Diabetes: Beyond the Numbers

Living with type 1 diabetes isn’t just about managing blood sugar levels; it’s about navigating a constant balancing act between insulin doses, carbohydrate counts, and unexpected fluctuations. It’s about facing the relentless uncertainties and fears about the future while trying to live fully in the present.

Questions That Resonated with Me:

Have you worked with clients who have type 1 diabetes before? I needed to know if my therapist understood the daily challenges and emotional rollercoaster that comes with managing type 1 diabetes.
Are you aware of the connection between emotional wellbeing and diabetes management? The connection between emotional wellbeing and diabetes care goes both ways; when we are in a better place emotionally, the numbers many times will not fluctuate as much and will be more consistent. Going the other way, when our diabetes becomes too much, it takes a great toll on our emotional wellbeing. I needed to know that the therapist was very aware and mindful of the emotional connection to diabetes care and can help me in that area.
What strategies do you use to help clients cope with the emotional impact of living with type 1 diabetes? Whether it’s mindfulness techniques or cognitive-behavioral strategies, I was interested in understanding how my therapist planned to help me build resilience and emotional strength.
How can you support me in sticking to my diabetes self-care routine? Adhering to a diabetes management routine is crucial, but it can also be challenging. I wanted to find a therapist who could help me overcome barriers and stay motivated.
Are you familiar with diabetes technology, such as insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs)? As someone who relies on technology to manage my diabetes, I wanted a therapist who understood the impact of these devices on my daily life and emotional well-being.
How do you address concerns about the future and long-term complications associated with diabetes? Living with a chronic condition like type 1 diabetes comes with its fair share of worries about the future. I needed a therapist who could help me confront these fears while fostering hope and resilience.

Finding Support That Fits

Navigating life with type 1 diabetes isn’t easy, but finding the right therapist can make all the difference. By asking these questions and seeking out a therapist who understands the personal journey of living with type 1 diabetes, you can find the support and guidance you need to thrive, both emotionally and physically. If you’re on a similar journey, don’t hesitate to ask these questions and advocate for the support you deserve. After all, we’re in this together.