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The Counseling psychologist
Jul 01, 2019;47 (5): 741-769.

Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms: What They Are and Why Counseling Psychologists Should Care about Them.

Lisa M McAndrew, Myrna L Friedlander, David Litke, L Alison Phillips, Justin Kimber, Drew A Helmer
Author Information
  1. Lisa M McAndrew: Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System University at Albany.
  2. Myrna L Friedlander: University at Albany.
  3. David Litke: Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System.
  4. L Alison Phillips: Iowa State University.
  5. Justin Kimber: University at Albany.
  6. Drew A Helmer: Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System.
PMID: 32015568 DOI: 10.1177/0011000019888874

Abstract

Medically unexplained symptoms and syndromes (MUS) affect the health of 20%-30% of patients seen in primary care. Optimally, treatment for these patients requires an interdisciplinary team consisting of both primary care and mental health providers. By developing an expertise in MUS, counseling psychologists can improve the care of patients with MUS who are already in their practice, expand the number of patients they help, and enhance the integration of counseling psychology into the broader medical community. Additionally, counseling psychologists' expertise in culture, attunement to therapeutic processes, and our focus on prioritizing patients' perspectives and quality of life can fill the gap in research on MUS and bringing increased attention to counseling psychologists' unique contributions to health service delivery.

Keywords

Medically unexplained symptoms counseling psychology health psychology

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Grants

  1. IK2 HX001369/HSRD VA
Journal Article

Word Cloud

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