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Journal of Clinical and
Basic Psychosomatics Mind-body connection

established that one of the greatest barriers to seeking After assuring her safety (she was no longer in the
mental health services is the fear of stigma. In addition, abusive relationship) and confirming the absence of
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despite the high prevalence of mental health issues among suicidal or self-harm thoughts or plans, the author
students, college populations are especially influenced by created goals for the patient’s time in therapy. The
perceptions of peer mental health stigma. Being aware of author and patient discussed what therapy would entail
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this, it was important to address the patient’s perceptions and why speaking about her past abuse was important.
of stigma at the start of therapy. A metaphor was used to help her understand the purpose
behind opening up about the abuse. Her history of mental
During her initial counseling session, the author and abuse and trauma was compared to a fictitious physical
patient discussed the mental health stigma she felt was wound on her arm to help her better imagine the mental
directed at her for seeking services. Her concerns appeared wound. It was explained that if one had a physical wound,
to provoke anxiety, and she believed her peers would one should not simply cover it up without treating it,
think negatively of her if they knew she was attending as it could become infected and cause more pain and
counseling. At this time, she appeared visibly anxious long-term harm. Instead, one would need to remove
about the perceived stigma. The author and patient then any bandage and treat it, even though this treatment
discussed the common misperception between perceived and cleaning might be painful. However, this would be
stigma and actual stigma. In fact, research has shown that purposeful and ultimately provide the best chance for the
while college students often believe there is substantial wound to truly heal.
mental health stigma among their peers, in reality, there is
very little; most students are supportive of those who seek After the patient expressed understanding and
help. Correcting this helped the patient feel less anxious agreement with the treatment of such a fictitious physical
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about participating in counseling. Furthermore, to alleviate wound, it was described how physical wounds could
her current physical and mental anxiety, the patient was be similar to emotional/mental wounds in many ways,
guided to ground herself in the present moment. During although the treatment differs. Regarding her emotional
the session, she engaged in a deep breathing relaxation wounds from her history of mental/emotional abuse,
exercise and a guided imagery practice, during which she had never processed them in therapy but had merely
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covered them from the outside world (much like a physical
she processed her physical sensations. She noted tension bandage). In therapy, the author explained how the patient
in her shoulders and neck, the onset of a headache, and would remove this “bandage” by uncovering her mental
a stomachache. There was a clear connection between wounds, talking about the abuse, and beginning to “treat”
her emotional anxiety and physical symptoms. While them. While this might be a mentally painful subject for
the patient did not complete a formal psychodiagnostic her to discuss, it would ultimately be a major part of her
screening for anxiety, her description of symptoms healing process and, thus, a purposeful pain. Following this
appeared consistent with anxiety-related experiences. discussion, the patient noted that she better understood
2.2. Trauma history and the psychosomatic the process and intention of therapy and was now engaged
connection and committed to it. This mental/physical health metaphor
further illustrates the importance and impact of the field of
After discussing her fears of stigma during the session, psychosomatics. 11
along with explaining confidentiality and noting that
studies show people often do not think negatively of those 2.3. Therapeutic interventions and treatment plan
seeking mental health services, the patient seemed to The therapy plan included weekly sessions to discuss the
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relax and become more open about her issues. Within prior abuse and facilitate the patient’s mental healing.
this openness, she described a history of mental abuse Within these sessions, techniques such as cognitive
from a previous romantic partner. She confided that she processing therapy (CPT) and reframing of thoughts
had never discussed this abuse before and became quite were utilized. It has been shown that CPT can be helpful
emotional when verbalizing her traumatic history. When in reprocessing negative thoughts related to trauma,
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gathering more details, it was uncovered that her digestive and this assisted her in reframing how she viewed her
issues and headaches had begun around the time this role in the prior abuse. Instead of thinking of herself as
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abusive relationship started. This was the 1 time that the “helpless and damaged,” she began to consider herself a
client realized the timeline connection between her mental “survivor.” Empowerment talks and affirmations followed
health trauma and her physical ailments. This observation during the sessions. Techniques for self-care and anxiety
aligns with research showing that physical symptoms may management were also employed to help the patient
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serve as psychiatric manifestations in patience. 1 manage and ultimately prevent her anxiety. In addition, she

Volume 3 Issue 4 (2025) 86 doi: 10.36922/jcbp.8598