ON Chiropractic
and now provides counselling in his
practice. Dr. Coghlan earned a Master’s
Degree in Counselling Psychology in
2011. His goal in pursuing this degree was
to better understand how to incorporate
emotional support with the wellness-based
chiropractic style he was already practicing.
The results have been encouraging.
Patients have expressed to him that the
emotional support and empathy he
provides has helped them. Dr. Coghlan has
also observed improvements in his patients
as a result of overcoming a psychological
barrier to recovery. He has been intrigued
by how adding the lens of counsellor to
his chiropractic practice has identified
opportunities for advancements in patient
care. “Many fibromyalgia patients do carry
unresolved emotional issues, such as anger,
resentment, and hurt, but their denial has
become so ingrained in their psyche that
they will often resent the exploration,”
Dr. Coghlan said. “I see this as an area
of further study and would be a natural
marriage of chiropractic (body therapy)
and psychology (mind therapy).”
Dr. Coghlan cautions his colleagues
to be careful when engaging with their
chiropractic patients on an emotional
level. “You must be keenly aware of the
patient's needs and interests and not cross
professional and ethical boundaries,”
he explains. “If you desire to help your
patients achieve their health potential
you must also recognize the limits of your
education and experience. If the patient's
needs are beyond your skill set and
aptitude, be empathetic to their concerns
and refer the patient appropriately.”
Dr. Cheng agreed with Dr. Coghlan’s
caution. “CBT can certainly be a useful
tool for health care practitioners from
many disciplines but clinicians retain
responsibility for working within their
own competencies. At times, significant
Recommended Reading
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Henschke, N. et al. “Behavioral treatment for chronic low-back pain (Review),” The
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Hill, J. et al. “Comparison of stratified primary care management for low back pain with
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(2011): 1560-1571.
Hoffman, S. et al. “The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Review of Metaanalysis,” Cognitive Therapy Research 36:5 (2012): 427-440. Online.
Padesky, C., Greenberger, D. “Clinician’s Guide to Mind Over Mood.” (The Guilford
Press New York, London , 1995).
Padesky, C., Greenberger, D. “Mind Over Mood. Change How You Feel by Changing the
Way You Think.” (The Guilford Press New York, London, 1995).
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psychopathology and personality
features make it difficult for patients to
collaboratively examine an