Liza Morton

Long-term health conditions (LTCs) affect one third of the global population and are associated with a heightened risk of depression, anxiety, medically related post-traumatic stress, diminished life satisfaction and self-esteem. Further, healthcare professionals face occupational challenges to their emotional health and wellbeing which can result in burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma, negatively impacting on patient care. Yet, current healthcare policy and practice poorly addresses psychological and emotional wellbeing, for patients or practitioners. Beyond the Medical Gaze provides an innovative and comprehensive framework for anyone working in healthcare practice, policy, or education grounded in the latest evidence base and the author's unique lifelong experiences, health advocacy, research, and psychology practice. The book embeds contemporary understanding in psychological and emotional health into healthcare practice grounded in the core principles of R.E.S.P.E.C.T; outlining the importance of Relational safety through compassion focused healthcare delivery, leadership and teams; Empowerment by supporting self-management, healthcare literacy and by challenging disempowering aspects of healthcare; promoting the Soothing presence of caregivers across the healthcare journey; promoting Psychological safety (Polyvagal informed) by validating a normal response to adverse circumstances, incorporating coping strategies throughout healthcare delivery and by supporting wellbeing for healthcare staff; developing Environments that better support healing, recovery, rest and wellbeing; ensuring Culturally sensitive healthcare provision that tackles ableism, recognizing health inequalities and intersectionality; and delivery of Trauma informed practice and environments. Reflective exercises, real life testimonials, case studies, examples of innovative practice and research, and handouts are incorporated throughout. A final chapter is provided for therapists working with people with LTCs or supporting healthcare teams.

Full of evidence-based, easy to understand information about CHD, Healing Hearts and Minds offers strategies for learning to thrive despite living with this condition, but most importantly it will offer hope and connection. Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is the most commonly diagnosed birth abnormality in the US. With great advances in surgery and medicine, however, survival rates have improved by 75% since the 1940s. Welcome news, of course, as only a few decades ago these birth defects were considered a death sentence, but as with any chronic condition, survival does not mean the issue is cured. With better medical care, babies born today with CHD have a good chance of surviving, but throughout their entire lives they can face surgeries, invasive treatments, lifelong monitoring, frequent medical check-ups, and significant limitations on physical activity, in addition to poor public awareness which can have an impact on social inclusion and understanding. Much attention has rightly been focused on the medical needs of these children and on providing their parents and caretakers with resources and information to navigate the complexities of this chronic condition. Little attention, however, has been paid to the psychosocial impacts on these individuals, especially as they grow, mature, and become adults living with a serious, chronic medical condition. Prevalence rates for anxiety, depression, and PTSD are significantly higher (2-3x in some cases) for people living with CHD than the general adult population. From feeling self-conscious about scars and limitations on physical activity and sense of loss around so many of life's little normalcies, to frequent hospital visits and living in constant fear of an emergency, this condition is ever-present. Liza Morton and Tracy Livecchi are both mental health professionals who have developed a specialty in working with clients who have chronic medical conditions, and they are both themselves living with CHD. In this book they set out to provide the resources and support they have been looking for their entire adult lives. While their powerful personal stories are woven into the narrative, the book is focused on providing evidence-based coping and self-care skills for adults living with CHD.