Therapy for physical symptoms related to mental health
Stress, trauma and its impact on the body. Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD), Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS)
Maxine E King offers psychodynamic psychotherapy for adults whose physical symptoms are linked to stress or trauma. Therapy works with the emotional side of symptoms. It does not replace medical assessment or care.
What physical symptoms linked to mental health can feel like
Pain, fatigue, dizziness, tremor, weakness, digestive problems, blackouts or numbness are real, whatever their cause. When tests show nothing wrong or the cause is unclear, people can feel dismissed, disbelieved or frightened.
Stress and trauma can affect the body as much as the mind. Alongside her general clinical practice Maxine specialises in somatic stress.
Words that may feel familiar
Dismissed. Misunderstood. Exhausted. Unravelling. Shutdown. Unmanageable. Worried. Unsafe.
How psychodynamic psychotherapy works with body and mind
Psychodynamic psychotherapy explores the links between body and mind. Symptoms are taken seriously and are never treated as imagined. Maxine helps you notice when symptoms arrive, what is happening in your life and relationships at the time and which feelings may be hard to put into words.
Physical symptoms should always be assessed by a doctor first. Therapy can then support the emotional side of living with them.
Sessions with Maxine
You begin with an initial consultation to talk through what has brought you to this point. If you decide to continue, sessions last 50 minutes and are usually weekly or twice weekly.
Fees are discussed in advance of the initial consultation. Health Insurance: Bupa provider.
- Harley Street (Oxford Circus, Bond Street Underground)
- North London Therapy Practice (Golders Green Underground)
- Online
Questions about physical symptoms
Does this mean my symptoms are all in my mind?
No. Symptoms are real and are taken seriously. Psychodynamic psychotherapy looks at how stress, trauma and emotions can affect the body. It does not suggest you are imagining or exaggerating anything.
What are FND, SSD and MUS?
They are terms clinicians use. FND is Functional Neurological Disorder. SSD is Somatic Symptom Disorder. MUS stands for Medically Unexplained Symptoms. A doctor makes the diagnosis.
Do I need to see a doctor first?
Yes. Physical symptoms should be assessed by your GP or a specialist. Therapy can then work alongside medical care.
How can therapy help with somatic stress?
Therapy gives you a regular space to notice how stress and difficult experiences show up in your body. Over time you may understand your symptoms differently and feel less alone with them.
Related areas of work
Contact
To arrange an initial consultation, please contact Maxine directly by email or mobile.
Email: maxineekingtherapy@gmail.com or message on: 07939 000725
All contact and correspondence is confidential.
If you need urgent help, contact your GP or NHS 111. You can call Samaritans free on 116 123 at any time. In an emergency call 999.