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Coping with Diabetes
Living with diabetes presents more than just physical challenges. A range of supports are available from Diabetes ACT and other organisations:
Psychologist Appointments
Dr Linda Beeney, Specialist Diabetes Psychologist, is available for private consultations on a regular basis at the Diabetes ACT offices.
Linda specialises in providing psychological services to people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and their partners, families and health professionals. She also has 25 years of experience in diabetes psychology research.
Areas of expertise include:
- Diabetes Distress and Burnout
- Blood glucose meter phobia
- Anxiety and Depression
- Disordered Eating
- Psychological Insulin Resistance
- Adjusting to a new diagnosis
- Assertiveness Training, Lifestyle Changes
Linda's qualifications include B.A. Hons (Sydney); Ph.D. (Medicine, Sydney); Post-doc Fellow at Harvard Medical School and Joslin Diabetes Centre, Boston; Registered Psychologist (NSW); Member - Australian Psychological Society and Committee - Australasian Society for Psychological Research in Diabetes
Appointments with Linda will be held on the following Thursdays and Fridays:
- 18-19 March
- 8-9 April
- 6-7 May
- 10-11 June
To make appointments or for more information please contact Linda directly on (02) 9940 3487 or 0412 987 544.
Referral is not necessary, however your GP may refer you under the Enhanced Primary Care Program (EPC) or with a GP Mental Health Care Plan. Linda is an approved provider with many private health funds.
Free depression education sessions
Older people with chronic conditions need to be conscious of looking after their mental health as well their physical health. It can be easy for depression to slip under the radar when a person is being treated for a chronic illness because treating the physical illness is often seen as the number one priority. Sometimes, the symptoms of depression are mistaken for symptoms of the chronic illness.
Beyondblue and the Councils on the Ageing (COTA) in each State and Territory have teamed up to deliver free peer education sessions for older people with a chronic illness, their carers and friends. During these informative sessions, participants learn about the link between depression and physical illness, the signs and symptoms of depression and the types of treatments available.
The beyond maturityblues sessions, focusing on chronic illness and depression in older people are available at no charge to seniors groups in Canberra. For more information visit www.cota-act.org.au, phone the COTA (ACT) Peer Education Manager on 6282 3777 or email Christine Spicer.
