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Vestibular disorders can have a profound impact on individuals, their families, and their livelihoods. Common symptoms include spinning, rocking, head pressure, double vision, nausea, fatigue, and brain fog, which can worsen in specific positions or environments.

 

You may struggle to find relief despite seeking medical advice and ruling out serious medical conditions. Diagnoses such as persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD), vestibular migraine (VM), Mal de debarquement syndrome (MDD), idiopathic dizziness, or no diagnosis at all can be given.

 

Am I going crazy?

​It's not "all in your head," but it is in your brain. You are not crazy; you are really feeling unwanted sensations, which may stem from neural patterns in the brain and body. Your brain isn't broken, but it is sending error messages. Fortunately, neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to change its activity by reorganizing its structure, functions, or connections—can heal it. Click here to learn about neural circuit dizziness.

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An integrated approach towards recovery

I suggest an integrated approach to working with these distressing disorders. I have found that combining individual psychotherapy with one of the readily available online neuroplasticity programs tailored specifically for individuals grappling with vestibular disorders or chronic symptoms yields the best outcomes for my patients. These programs offer round-the-clock access to invaluable resources, including psycho-education, somatic skill-building exercises, and group support.

When is psychotherapy indicated?

Give yourself some time to follow the advice of your medical treatment team. It can even be a good idea to start an online program first (I can suggest programs). Then, assess your progress and determine if individual therapy is the next right step for you. These are some circumstances that may lead you to consider psychotherapy:

A lack of progress after a year, give or take, with your medical team or vestibular rehab program

Loneliness, isolation, depression, or anxiety during your recovery

A history of adverse events or trauma in your life (these "prime the pump" for mind-body disorders)

You are already dealing with other psychiatric conditions

In individual therapy, we work together to understand both conscious and unconscious factors that contribute to your mind-body disorder. It’s not uncommon for certain life circumstances, thinking patterns, or relational dynamics to trigger or maintain neural circuit dizziness. I view symptoms as messengers from our bodies, guiding us toward areas in our physical, mental, or spiritual lives that require attention and care. In this context, therapy is about more than symptom resolution - it's a journey of self-discovery. You have a solid treatment when combined with the behavioral programs mentioned above.

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 Recovery is paradoxical
Recovery is a process and completely possible. However, it demands patience, persistence, and daily practice. It's a delicate balance: dedication to psychoeducation, somatic skills, and curiosity about one's inner world while allowing the organic rhythm of healing to unfold without pressure or expectation.

 

It is important that your doctors have ruled out any serious medical issues. I am available for short-term consultations or long-term treatment and am happy to work alongside your other treatment providers.