Health Psychology

At Hanover CBT, our Health Psychology services are dedicated to supporting the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Grounded in the biopsychosocial model, our approach recognizes that health is shaped not only by biological conditions but also by emotional experiences, thought patterns, relationships, identity, and social systems.

Whether you’re managing a chronic illness, coping with a new diagnosis, or striving to align your health behaviors with your values, our collaborative and evidence-based therapy can helpyou build sustainable well-being. Health Psychology at Hanover CBT empowers you to reconnect with your body, reduce suffering, and regain control over your life.

WHAT IS HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY?

Health Psychology is a specialty within clinical psychology that focuses on how psychological, behavioral, and social factors influence physical health and illness. Health psychologists support individuals navigating the mental and emotional dimensions of medical conditions. They help with stress management, adjustment to illness, behavior change, and developing healthier routines that are sustainable and meaningful.

At its core, Health Psychology is about connection with your body, your values, your environment, and your goals. Our services affirm that healing is not just physical. It includes emotional insight, relational support, and the capacity to make choices that reflect your entire self.

HOW WE CAN HELP

Our Health Psychology services are designed to support people managing a wide range of health challenges and health-supporting behaviors, including:

Chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, autoimmune conditions, cancer, heart disease, and chronic pain

Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleep disruptions related to health stressors

Behavioral change for weight and wellness, physical activity, nutrition, smoking cessation, and medication adherence

Adjustment to diagnosis or complex treatment planning

Physical symptoms linked to stress, such as headaches, gastrointestinal issues, and fatigue

Medical anxiety, needle phobia, and procedural desensitization

Emotional responses to health conditions—anxiety, depression, grief, or trauma related to illness or treatment.

ADHD and executive functioning difficulties that impact wellness and routine

We also work with individuals who are proactively seeking to improve their health, balance their lifestyle, or explore the mind-body connection as part of their emotional and physical healing.

PRE-SURGICAL MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATIONS

We offer psychological evaluation and consultation for surgical clearance and treatment planning for:

Gender affirming surgeries

Spinal cord stimulator

Cochlear implant

Bariatric surgery

CAR-T immunotherapy

Stem cell transplant

Solid organ transplant

DR. ALYE BRUNKOW’S APPROACH

Dr. Brunkow’s therapeutic style is warm, direct, and affirming. She honors the full context of her clients’ lives, integrating identity, systemic influences, and personal meaning into every treatment plan. Her work with Veterans, BIPOC, queer, and gender-diverse clients has deepened her trauma-informed, inclusive approach—one that values empowerment, transparency, and collaboration.

WHAT THERAPY LOOKS LIKE

Dr. Brunkow aims to help clients cope with chronic illness and pain from a strengths-based, skills-focused lens. She individually tailors Health Psychology sessions, which may include:

Mind-body tools such as mindfulness, pacing strategies, and somatic experiencing exercises

Psychoeducation on stress, illness, and resilience

Values clarification and action to improve health behaviors

Skill development for sleep, nutrition, motivation, and emotional regulation

Coordination with your healthcare providers (with your consent) for integrated care

If you are navigating health changes, feeling stuck in your efforts to care for your body, or seeking a therapy space that addresses both emotional and physical wellness, we invite you to connect with us.

Health Psychology at Hanover CBT is a space where health and compassion meet—where your wellness is seen in its full complexity, and where you don’t have to carry the weight alone.