Issues
- Chronic Illness
Transitioning to an ostomy, whether via emergency or planned surgery, can be a life-altering experience that may come with a psychosocial impact on patients. It is therefore important to engage a mental health provider who is well-versed in chronic illness (and IBD, if possible) in your care. Some advanced IBD Centers have GI psychologists and/or social workers who can work with you in terms of gut-directed psychotherapy. And in other cases, it is vital to find a mental health specialist privately to help navigate and accept the transition to life with an ostomy.
Mental health providers versed in IBD and ostomy life
The recommended method of finding a mental health provider versed in IBD and ostomy life is to search the Rome Foundation Psychogastroenterology directory. The Rome Foundation is an international consortium of physicians and psychologists specializing in digestive disease diagnosis and treatment.
Psychology Today Therapist Finder
Another website to consider is the Psychology Today Therapist Finder to look for a mental health provider who works with patients with chronic medical illnesses. There are several options to filter your search on this site. You will want to check off the following items:
Written by Tina Aswani Omprakash. Medically reviewed and validated by Jordan Axelrad, MD, MPH. These webpages are funded by a grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.
Contact Us
United Ostomy Associations of America
P.O. Box 2293
Biddeford, ME 04005-2293
Call us toll-free at: 1-800-826-0826.
Our Information Line hours are Monday-Friday, 9am to 3pm EST. If you have an emergency, please dial 911 or contact your local medical professional.
Please understand that UOAA is a private, nonprofit, advocacy and informational organization. We are not a medical facility and we do not have medical or legal professionals on staff. Therefore, UOAA does not provide Medical, Mental Health, Insurance or Legal Advice. Visit UOAA Virtual Ostomy Clinic provided by The Wound Company for non-emergency, virtual ostomy support.
