Diabetes Related Experience

Kay Goldstein, M.A., M.F.T., California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Diabetes Related Experience

In my psychotherapy practice, I see individuals and couples who have diabetes and who want to work on psychological issues associated with having a chronic illness.

These issues may include depression, anxiety, eating disorders, relationship problems, etc. In many instances the issues involved are "diabetes distress", the frustrations/irritations etc. of having a chronic condition which does not go away.

I work with women who have gestational diabetes (pregnancy complicated with diabetes), providing support for the many psychosocial issues which occur with this diagnosis.

I am knowledgeable and experienced with perinatal and postpartum depressions.

I also work with eating disorders and other food issues, including diabulimia.

I am presently a Behavior Medicine Specialist State Contractor for CDAPP (California Diabetes and Pregnancy Program)Regions 1 and 3.
I visit hospital and clinic sites where there are Sweet Success Programs (programs that work with women who are pregnant and have been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes or who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes). I am part of a three-person team; we deliver statistics and provide information, resources, consultation and training for nurses, dieticians and social workers who provide services to these expectant moms.

I worked as a Stress Counselor in the Diabetes Center
at John Muir/Mt. Diablo Medical Center in Concord, California for three years (March, 2006-March, 2009).
I worked with pregnant women who had gestational diabetes.
I alo counseled people who had type 1 and 2 diabetes and I taught "The Psychosocial Aspects of Diabetes".

In November 2006 and in October 2007, I taught a short course "Psychotherapy with People who have Diabetes" at Alliant University in San Francisco.

In 1993, I was a Substitute Teacher at Mt. Zion's Diabetes Teaching Center in San Francisco, teaching the course "Psychosocial Aspects of Diabetes".

In 1992, I presented "Relaxation Tools and Techniques for Diabetes Educators and Their Patients" at the National Convention of the AADE (American Assn. of Diabetes Educators) (Anaheim, California).

MEMBERSHIPS:

AADE - American Association of Diabetes Educators
Special Interest Group - Pregnancy/Reproductive Health

SFBAADE - San Francisco Bay Area Association of Diabetes Educators