Donna Kreher regularly sees the mental and emotional effects of chronic pain and the lack of support available to cope with it.
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“There is a huge need for this intersection of physical and mental health,” she said.
That’s why she’s opening Rezenity Health in Pittsford on August 1.
The practice provides holistic care to people ages 14 and older who suffer from chronic pain and other chronic health conditions, said Kreher, a licensed clinical psychologist with a doctorate in clinical psychology.
The practice offers a range of approaches to dealing with changes in health/bodily functions, traumas and life stressors.
Kreher worked and taught at the University of Rochester Medical Center for more than a decade and felt there was a need in the community for this type of private practice that could partner with regional health systems to provide the holistic care patients need.
Her most recent role was as Director of the University Mental Health Practice at URMC, where she developed a behavioral pain management service to meet patient needs.
The positive response to that service — from providers to patients — showed her the need for multifaceted, holistic approaches. Plus, treating such conditions early could help alleviate the rising medical costs associated with long-term conditions that can worsen over time, she noted.
According to Kreher, life-altering health conditions like chronic pain can also have a major impact on a person’s mood, relationships, and sense of identity. While the symptoms are real and not in someone’s head, they can still turn a person’s life upside down.
Rezenity’s team of clinicians can provide people with tools to live meaningful lives even as pain and other challenges persist, Kreher said. He added that the practice focuses on educating patients about the mind-body connection.
“We provide a safe and compassionate space where you are treated as a whole person, not a body part or a disease,” she said.
Available services include assessment and consultation, psychotherapy, psychedelic supportive treatment, functional movement, somatic bodywork, and health coaching.
In addition to providing evidence-based approaches to chronic health conditions, Rezenity clinicians also specialize in providing support for depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, women’s health issues, and life changes.
According to Kreher, team-oriented care is essential to meeting life’s challenges.
“Because we are a multidisciplinary service, we can offer a range of personalized services that meet the unique needs of each individual, and we can work together to provide the best possible care,” she said.
Kreher noted that Rezenity Health also helps fill critical gaps for physicians and surgeons in the region.
The practice works closely with referring providers and mental health training programs in the region. Some practices have already referred their patients to Rezenity Health.
“That shows how much this service is needed,” she said.
Kreher noted that it is important for patients to follow their doctor’s instructions, take prescribed medications as directed and follow aftercare instructions following surgery.
Rezenity Health complements an individual’s care plan, adding that the practice creates an individual plan that can change over time.
“We understand that each person has unique needs and preferences, and that traditional psychotherapy is not the best solution for everyone,” Kreher said. “Our approach is collaborative and flexible, with a focus on personalized care to address the specific concerns of each individual.”
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