Psychological Services
When the medical evaluation of a patient visiting the Functional GI and Motility Clinic at UNC Hospitals suggests that psychological evaluation and/or treatment that could include pain management or any of the psychological treatments listed below would be beneficial, Dr. Charles Burnett or a psychology intern working with Dr. Burnett also participates in the patient's overall care as part of our multi-disciplinary team approach. Dr. Burnett outlines for the patient what to expect from psychological evaluation or treatment for a functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) and how it might be helpful. He can also schedule the patient for an extended visit, either that very same day or at a follow-up appointment.
Staff
Charles K. Burnett, PhD, DrPH -- Dr. Burnett is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine within the Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has been associated with the UNC Center since 1995 and is its Director of Psychological Services. Patients are referred to him through the Center and by outside physicians. He specializes in the treatment of patients with chronic illnesses, using one or more of the following alternative techniques or therapies, in collaboration with the patient's other health care providers and medications:
When the medical evaluation of a patient visiting the Functional GI and Motility Clinic at UNC Hospitals suggests that psychological evaluation and/or treatment that could include pain management or any of the psychological treatments listed below would be beneficial, Dr. Charles Burnett or a psychology intern working with Dr. Burnett also participates in the patient's overall care as part of our multi-disciplinary team approach. Dr. Burnett outlines for the patient what to expect from psychological evaluation or treatment for a functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) and how it might be helpful. He can also schedule the patient for an extended visit, either that very same day or at a follow-up appointment.
Staff
Charles K. Burnett, PhD, DrPH -- Dr. Burnett is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine within the Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has been associated with the UNC Center since 1995 and is its Director of Psychological Services. Patients are referred to him through the Center and by outside physicians. He specializes in the treatment of patients with chronic illnesses, using one or more of the following alternative techniques or therapies, in collaboration with the patient's other health care providers and medications:
- Stress Management: Stress management training seeks to help a person understand the role of stress in his/her life and how it relates to the person's FGID symptoms. It also seeks to provide the person with a variety of ways for dealing with stressful events in such a way as to minimize their impact on the person's FGID symptoms and quality of life.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT focuses on the interrelationship between a person's thoughts (cognitions), actions (behaviors) and feelings (affect), and the role they play in a person's FGID symptoms. By understanding and focusing on these three components, changes can be made in how a person thinks, acts and feels about his/her difficulties. This process can help reduce the frequency and intensity of FGID symptoms. For example, a person can learn to become less upset when they have a symptom flare-up and to accept it as a temporary discomfort.
- Relaxation Therapy: Relaxation therapies to reduce a person's current state of physical and psychological arousal include techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), autogenic training, breath regulation, and meditation. With these types of techniques, a person can learn how to "turn down the volume" on their GI symptoms by becoming more calm and relaxed about them.
- Hypnosis: Hypnosis or hypnotherapy is a set of techniques designed to help a person to focus their attention and concentration. This can be accomplished with the help of a therapist or by oneself (self-hypnosis). It creates a very deep state of relaxation in which the person is open to ideas or concepts that may help him/her manage certain problems, such as FGID symptoms.
- Biofeedback: Biofeedback is a technique in which the person is trained to change a specific physical response. Biofeedback requires equipment than can be used in a therapist's office, or can be purchased or rented for personal home use. Biofeedback has been used to successfully treat many diseases and disorders, such as IBS. Through biofeedback, a person gains sufficient control over his/her physical responses and manages the unpleasant symptoms to a point where the equipment becomes unnecessary.
