Page 91 - JCBP-3-4

Journal of Clinical and

Basic Psychosomatics

CASE REPORT
The mind–body connection: A case study in

psychosomatics

Alyson Pompeo-Fargnoli*
Department of Educational Counseling and Leadership, School of Education, Monmouth University,
West Long Branch, New Jersey, United States of America

Abstract
This case report explores the mind–body connection throughout the therapeutic
process. It describes the clinical course of a college-aged female who presented with
persistent physical symptoms later found to be associated with unresolved emotional
trauma. The patient underwent a tailored therapeutic regimen incorporating
cognitive processing therapy, cognitive reframing, eye movement desensitization
and reprocessing, group therapy, and peer support groups. Over the course of
treatment, a pronounced psychosomatic relationship emerged, which proved to be
a critical factor in the patient’s recovery.

Keywords: Counseling; Psychosomatic; Trauma; Anxiety

1. Introduction
*Corresponding author:
Alyson Pompeo-Fargnoli The field of psychosomatics uncovers the strong connections between mental and
(apompeof@monmouth.edu) physical health. Within the area of mental health counseling, practitioners must
Citation: Pompeo-Fargnoli A. The understand this framework to effectively treat patients, as some may exhibit a strong
1
mind–body connection: A case psychosomatic component in their presenting problems. It is vital to consider such a
study in psychosomatics. J Clin psychosomatic connection when understanding the patient, forming a diagnosis, and
Basic Psychosom. 2025;3(4):85-88. 1
doi: 10.36922/jcbp.8598 creating a treatment plan. The following case study supports existing literature, which
demonstrates that physical symptoms can manifest as psychiatric conditions through a
Received: January 19, 2025 detailed and illustrative example.
Revised: April 10, 2025
Accepted: April 15, 2025 2. Case presentation
Published online: July 14, 2025 The patient was a 20-year-old college student who lived on campus. She presented
to the college counseling center after being referred by the campus physical/medical
Copyright: © 2025 Author(s). health center. She had been seen at the health center for persistent headaches and
This is an Open-Access article
distributed under the terms of the gastrointestinal issues over the past 6 months. After consulting a gastroenterologist for
Creative Commons Attribution her digestive symptoms and a neurologist for her headaches, neither specialist could
License, permitting distribution,
and reproduction in any medium, identify an underlying physical cause. As a result, she was referred for mental health
provided the original work is treatment, as it is well-established that psychological issues can manifest as physical
properly cited. symptoms through the psychosomatic connection. 1
Publisher’s Note: AccScience
Publishing remains neutral with 2.1. Initial therapy and perceptions of mental health stigma
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional This was the patient’s first experience in counseling, as she reported feeling a perceived
affiliations. stigma toward seeking mental health services. This is not unexpected, as it is well-

Volume 3 Issue 4 (2025) 85 doi: 10.36922/jcbp.8598