DisabilityPlus gives every person the opportunity to be supported by a Counsellor who has Brittle Bones, this enables full cultural support. Our Brittle Bones Counselling Service supports people with their mental health, whether pre-existing issues have become worse or a new condition.The specialist therapists understand the problems Osteogenesis Imperfecta can have on a person’s mental & emotional health.
People and caregivers living with rare diseases experience higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression. We offer the mental & emotional health support you may need to cope with the complex, chronic and often life-limiting condition of Osteogenesis Imperfecta.
Rare genetic long term conditions such as OI can create a lack of understanding of how your condition can affect your mental health. With our mental health team who have brittle bones we are able to culturally match you from the very first session. Our brittle bones counselling team supports your mental health; however, specialists can also signpost you and share experiences that create a more holistic relationship between you and the counsellors.
We understand the specific conditions that you may be facing such as:
Brittle Bones Counselling can help you manage the impact of IO with dignity and self-respect. Being supported by specialist therapists who understand you creates a robust platform for the counselling to be successful from the outset.
Counselling is not restricted to a single method of therapy. Each person can bring different presenting issues; one solution does not fit all. As a specialist service, we can support you no matter the problems.
Our therapy can help you set goals to work towards, particularly during the initial stages. We know that goals & aspirations should be meaningful to your life and attainable and realistic. Our therapists will help develop such plans by setting achievable targets at each counselling stage. Goals often provide a sense of purpose structure (daily routine) and improve confidence and self-esteem.
Those who take care of people with OI can also benefit from brittle bones counselling. Making sacrifices to care for a loved one can lead to feelings of anxiety, stress, depression, and isolation. Counselling can provide helpful guidance and support on coping in the best way possible.
Contact us to find out more about our Specialist Brittle Bones Counselling Service
Our Brittle Bones Counselling Team is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) (UKCP). We are bound by the ethical framework for good practice in counselling. We comply with the Data Protection Act
OI is caused by one of several genes that aren’t working properly. Genes carry our hereditary (family) information. We each have two copies of most genes: one set from each parent. Genes are what make you look like your biological family.
Each of the genes that cause OI plays a role in how the body makes collagen. Collagen is a material in bones that helps make them strong. When these genes aren’t working properly, there isn’t enough collagen, or the collagen doesn’t work properly. This leads to weak bones that break easily.
Most children inherit the gene that doesn’t work properly from one parent. Some inherit it from both parents. In some cases, neither parent passes on this gene. Instead, the gene stops working properly soon after the child is conceived.
In addition to making you more susceptible to breaks and fractures, osteoporosis can lead to other complications:
Osteoporosis can be disabling and limit your physical activity. A loss of activity can cause you to gain weight. It can also increase stress on your bones, in particular your knees and hips. Gaining weight can also increase your risk of other problems, such as heart disease and diabetes.
Less physical activity can lead to a loss of independence and isolation. Activities you once enjoyed may be too painful now. This loss, added to the possible fear of fractures, can bring on depression. A poor emotional state can further hinder your ability to manage health issues. A positive, forward-thinking outlook is helpful when approaching any medical issue.
Fractures caused by osteoporosis can be severely painful and debilitating. Fractures of the spine can result in:
Some people with osteoporosis can break a bone and not notice it. However, most broken bones need hospital care. Surgery is often needed for this procedure, which may require an extended hospital stay and additional medical costs.
Many times, a hip fracture will require long-term care in a nursing home. If a person is bedridden while receiving long-term care, there’s a higher likelihood, they may experience:
Talk to your healthcare provider for more information about these potential risk factors. They can also help you create both a treatment and management plan if and when necessary.
The following are some factors that put you at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis:
There isn’t a cure for osteoporosis. However, treatment is available to help slow the progression of the disease and manage symptoms.
Bones need calcium to stay strong and healthy. Not getting enough calcium early on in life can lead to osteoporosis later on.
Additionally, vitamin D can help your body absorb calcium. Be sure to check with your doctor about adding any supplements to your diet.
A moderate amount of exercise can help your bones and body stay strong. Falls account for a large number of bone fractures, so practices such as yoga, tai chi, or any other balance-training exercises can help you have better balance to avoid falls and fractures.
Medications can also help with osteoporosis. Antiresorptive medications slow the rate of bone loss. Anabolic medications promote bone growth.
For women in menopause, estrogen therapy can help prevent bone loss and strengthen bones. For women in post-menopause, bisphosphonates are the preferred treatment for osteoporosis.
Other prevention methods involve improving eyesight and using a cane or walker when walking to prevent slipping and falling
Private therapy can allow you to start sessions quickly, you can also start privately & we can make an NHS application for you to maintain your care with the same therapist.
For DisabilityPlus to make an NHS application for you based on your condition, we must satisfy specific criteria before making the NHS Application.
The application for you must include one of the below disabilities or life-changing conditions.
Self-Paid Services are available if you do not qualify for an NHS application with DisabilityPlus.
Standard counselling services generally help couples without additional issues such as physical, sensory & injuries.
Using a specialist service means there will be no lost time trying to explain to the therapist the problems you and your partner have with coping with the specific situation.
We are proud to offer this specialist service.
In its most basic sense, LENS is training in self-regulation, a necessary part of optimal brain performance and function, allowing the nervous system to function more adaptively.
This result in greater relaxation, a sense of ease and improved emotional resilience. LENS neurofeedback is not diagnosis-specific. It is not a treatment for any specific condition. It is a generalised process that optimises brain function.
Each Disability is matched with a counsellor who understands your unique issues.
Our Traumatic Brain Injury Counselling Service supports people with their mental health, whether pre-existing issues have worsened or a new condition stemming from an accident or injury.
Our specialist therapists understand the problems a brain injury can have on a person’s mental & emotional health.
Counselling for Concussions can help you avoid potential mental health issues such as panic attacks, depression, anxieties, substance abuse &, in extreme cases, self-harm & suicidal thoughts.
Your counsellor is trained to support people with mild to moderate brain injuries.
The counsellor who supports you has expert knowledge & lived experiences of Autism.
Our treatment plans focus on how the varying degrees of Autism has affected your mental and emotional health.
You will be supported by a counsellor who has Epilepsy.
Specialist Epilepsy Counselling provides an essential place after taking the step to decide you want to speak with a counsellor; you must find someone that ‘fits’ you and your personality for the best possible outcome.
A counsellor with Dyslexia will support you with expert counselling.
Dyslexia & Auditory Processing may not be a mental illness, but its results can trigger mental illness.
You will be supported by a counsellor who has spinal cord injuries.
Our Spinal Cord Injury Counselling Service supports you with your mental health, whether pre-existing issues have worsened or a new condition stemming from the spinal cord injury.
Your therapist has an amputation or is a specialist which creates cultural understanding from the first session.
Using a specialist service who understand the problems of losing a limb first-hand could be the first step to your mental & emotional health recovery.
You will be supported by a counsellor who has OI or you can choose a counsellor with a similar disability.
Specialist Counselling can help you regain wellbeing and balance in your life.
You will be supported by a counsellor who has Multiple Sclerosis or you can choose a counsellor with a similar disability.
MS Counselling gives you time and space to work through your problems. Therapy helps you gain a different perspective on problems and issues.
Therapy provides a safe, non-judgemental and respectful environment. Counselling can help you regain well-being and balance in your life.
You will be supported by a counsellor who has Cerebral Palsy or you can choose a counsellor with a similar disability.
Counselling gives you time and space to work through your problems.
Therapy helps you gain a different perspective on problems and issues.
You will be supported by a counsellor who is disabled with a similar disability.
Professional therapists who understand the complexity of muscular dystrophy.
Our treatment plans focus on how the varying degrees of Muscular Dystrophy has affected your mental and emotional health.
You will be supported by a counsellor who has years of experience supporting people with Chronic Arthritis or you can choose a counsellor with a similar disability.
You will be supported by a counsellor who lives with chronic pain.
Chronic Pain Counselling & Psychotherapy delivers quality therapy for people who have issues caused by severe pain.
Your therapist will have hearing loss with the lived experience of discrimination and frustration.
Therapy for people with differing levels of Hearing Loss, including Suddenly Acquired Deafness through a Medical Issue, age or Accident.
For Profoundly Deaf BSL Service click below
Your counsellor will be profoundly deaf, which creates cultural understanding from the first session.
Our deaf mental health counselling service addresses the core need for cultural understanding with a counsellor that understands the feelings of discrimination & lack of knowledge.
This service is for BSL & Oral Profoundly Deaf People
You will be supported by a counsellor who has a cochlear implant
Our team use Spoken Word (oral), Lip Reading & Visual Gestures.
We offer a live subtitle service if video sessions are selected.
For DisabilityPlus to make an NHS application for you based on your condition, we must satisfy specific criteria before making the NHS Application.
The application for you must include one of the below disabilities or life-changing conditions.
Self-Paid Services are available if you do not qualify for an NHS application with DisabilityPlus.
SIGNHEALTH the Deaf charity is now delivering all NHS BSL Counselling Sessions.
If you would still like to use our service there are Self-Pay options.
Click the NHS Application button below to be directed to the Self-Referral form of SIGNHEALTH
Your counsellor who will support you has Vestibular Disorders and therefore can help you with expert knowledge and lived experiences.
Our team can help with qualified specialist mental health therapists who specialise in supporting people who have Vestibular Issues.
Your counsellor who will support you has Tinnitus and therefore can help you with expert knowledge and lived experiences.
Our team can help with qualified specialist mental health therapists who specialise in supporting people who have Tinnitus and Balance Issues.
The Personal Injury Team is hand-selected based on their expertise in supporting people post-injury.
We support you with emotional & mental health support following a significant personal injury.
The counsellor who supports you has been through the retirement and bereavement from previous assistance dogs. We can offer you a safe, empathic and authentic service where your emotions can be fully explored and accepted
Our assistance dog counselling service can help you get the support you deserve. Your counsellor will have an assistance dog and has lived through the feelings and emotions of loss and grief.
Select the service you would like to know more about.
You will be supported by a counsellor who is CODA.
Our CODA Counselling Service (children or now adults) supports you with your mental & emotional health.
Our specialist therapists understand the problems a cross-culture can have on your mental & emotional health.
You will be supported by a counsellor who understands the complexity of living with body dysmorphia.
Our therapists specialise in mental & emotional health-supporting your negative body image & perceptions.
You will be supported by a counsellor who has Chronic Fatigue . Our specialist therapists can help you come to terms with living with CFS/ME & work through the mental health issues it creates.
Our therapy service can increase your daily living standards
You will be supported by a counsellor who has Fibromyalgia.
We offer psychological support with one of our specialist qualified counsellors who support people who are affected by FMS symptoms.
