Dr. Heike provides individualized rehabilitation counselling to help individuals understand the impact of injury or illness, develop effective coping strategies, and adapt to changes in daily life. Areas addressed depend on your needs and may include:

Emotional adjustment

• Processing changes related to recovery from significant health changes due to injury or illness, and the associated uncertainty
• Developing coping strategies for stress, frustration, and emotional challenges
• Supporting adjustment to changes in abilities, roles, and expectations

Pain, symptoms, and recovery management

• Understanding the relationship between pain, stress, emotions, and recovery
• Learning strategies to manage pain-related challenges and improve daily coping
• Exploring how stress, distress, fatigue, and lifestyle factors can influence symptom experiences

Coping and resilience

• Building practical strategies to manage challenges and setbacks
• Supporting confidence and gradual re-engagement in meaningful activities
• Developing skills to navigate changes while maintaining independence and quality of life

Stress, anxiety, and mood management

• Addressing anxiety, worry, frustration, and low mood that may occur following injury or illness
• Learning strategies to manage stress responses and emotional challenges during recovery
• Supporting emotional wellbeing throughout the rehabilitation process

Sleep and energy management

• Understanding how pain, stress, and injury or illness-related changes can affect sleep and energy
• Developing practical sleep management strategies to support recovery and daily functioning

Identity and role changes

• Adjusting to changes in work, family, and everyday responsibilities
• Exploring new ways to maintain independence, purpose, and participation in meaningful activities

Communication and self-advocacy

• Supporting conversations with healthcare providers, employers, insurers, and family members
• Developing strategies to communicate needs, challenges, and rehabilitation goals

Cognitive and emotional impacts

• Addressing difficulties such as mental fatigue, reduced concentration, stress-related cognitive challenges, and adjustment concerns
• Understanding how pain, stress, sleep disruption, and emotional wellbeing can affect thinking and daily functioning

You may benefit from rehabilitation counselling if you are experiencing challenges adjusting to life following an injury or illness, including:

• Feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or uncertain about recovery or what to expect
• Difficulty coping with pain, fatigue, or ongoing symptoms
• Increased stress, anxiety, or changes in mood following significant health changes
• Challenges returning to work, activities, or previous routines
• Reduced confidence or changes in independence and daily functioning
• Difficulty adjusting to changes in your roles, relationships, or sense of self

Rehabilitation counselling can provide support in understanding these changes, developing practical coping strategies, and rebuilding confidence as you move forward in recovery.

Approximately 6 minutes — learn how stress can influence physical symptoms and recovery, followed by an introduction to Progressive Muscle Relaxation as a relaxation strategy.

ICBC Motor Vehicle Accident Recovery Support

If you are recovering from injuries related to a motor vehicle accident, rehabilitation counselling can support the emotional, cognitive, and functional challenges that may occur during recovery.

Dr. Heike Dumke provides rehabilitation-focused counselling for individuals navigating changes after an MVA, including pain-related challenges, stress, reduced confidence, changes in daily activities, return-to-work concerns, and adjustment to life after injury.

Support may include coping strategies, pain and stress management, sleep support, emotional adjustment, and strategies to help you gradually return to meaningful activities.

Learn more about ICBC Recovery Support or contact Mind Your Brain to discuss whether rehabilitation counselling may be helpful for your recovery.