About

Being diagnosed with an autoimmune, immune-mediated or other chronic illness is a life-altering event. Conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Type 1 Diabetes, Crohn's or Rheumatoid Arthritis affect mental health on top of their physical demands, and mental health can in turn affect your day-to-day management of those conditions and your ability to thrive while managing them.

As a Licensed Psychologist with nearly two decades of experience in multidisciplinary settings, working with people who have complex mental health and medical conditions, I understand the relationship between physical and mental well-being when taking on the challenges of a chronic illness.

I provide support for individuals dealing with new diagnoses or facing difficulty with ongoing conditions, and with young adults as they make the transition to managing their health independently. I also work with health care professionals and multidisciplinary teams who seek assistance on how the treatment of chronic illness interacts with mental health.

I am a certified Mental Health Provider for People with Diabetes, with specialized training in the psychosocial challenges facing people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, including anxiety, depression and burnout related to diagnosis and long-term management, as well as anxiety regarding hyper- and hypoglycemia.

I am also a certified Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) clinician, having received training approved by the EMDR International Association.

Services

Individual Psychotherapy

Whether you are facing the challenges of a new medical diagnosis dealing with a longstanding illness, I can be your ally in the process of living well. I consider your overall life experiences, personal strengths and approach to handling adversity, and work with you to develop a comprehensive plan to live a full and meaningful life.

Consulting Services

Drawing on my experience in multidisciplinary settings, I provide guidance to physicians, psychologists, therapists, social workers, other care providers, and medical administrators about the psychological effects of chronic medical conditions, together with methods to address them in treatment settings. When staff in facilities understand the impact of chronic illness on mental health, recognize and address issues early in the onset of an illness or injury, and offer referrals for appropriate treatment, it can improve both the emotional wellbeing of clients and their healthcare outcomes.

Professional Training

If you’re a physician wanting to learn more about the psychological needs of patients in your medical practice, or a psychotherapist seeking greater understanding of clients with complex medical conditions, I can provide seminars, workplace trainings and one-to-one guidance on the psychological impact of chronic illness and autoimmune disorders.

Bio

I’m Dr Faith Cook, a Licensed Psychologist focused on adult and adolescent clients with complex medical conditions and the people who care for their physical well-being.

I've spent the past 19 years working closely with primary medical providers in interdisciplinary settings. (Psychiatric Hospitals, Correctional, and Skilled Nursing facilities.)

I also live well with Type 1 Diabetes, together with other autoimmune and medical conditions.

This combination of personal and professional experience has allowed me to see things from the perspective of the person seeking treatment as well as the medical professionals involved in care. Everyone is better served when the person seeking treatment and the medical providers are on the same team.

When I'm not in the office, you'll probably find me hiking in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina, cell signal permitting. I also enjoy photography, yoga, music, and spending time with my family and friends.

Education and Specialized Training

I received my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Hartford, and my Bachelors from the University of Georgia.

In 2018 I completed my training in the American Diabetes Association's Mental Health Provider Diabetes Education Program: I was the first mental health professional in the wider region (including Western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, north Georgia and upstate South Carolina) certified as a Mental Health Provider for People with Diabetes.

In 2019 I completed my training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) authorized by the EMDR International Association and in 2020 became a certified EMDR clinician.

Professional Organizations

I am licensed to practice as a Psychologist in North Carolina (#3610). I am also a member of the American Diabetes Association, North Carolina Psychological Association and Western North Carolina Psychological Association.

Contact

To schedule therapeutic services, please contact Sylva Clinical PSYCHOLOGY! at (828) 586-5555 or (888) 823-8765.

For additional information on therapeutic services, please consult my Psychology Today profile.

If you are interested in discussing ways to integrate mental health treatment with care for chronic and complex medical conditions, I'd love to hear from you. Please contact me at (828) 565-1368. Please note: this contact number is primarily intended for medical professionals and administrators interested in training and consulting services. For privacy reasons, I can not take individual client referrals or provide therapeutic services at this number.

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