dr. Piet Calcoen
Approach
Anxiety, depression and burnout: a comprehensive approach
Over the past 25 years, when counselling my patients, I have observed that their well-being is determined by an interplay of factors in different domains, not just the medical or psychological. This is why I use the “biopsychosocial-spiritual model” (more info: What is the BioPsychoSocial Spiritual Model? [Full Guide] (lifesensecounselling.com.au)). That is, in addition to focusing on medical aspects, it also focuses on psychological, social and existential (spiritual) factors, as these have a major impact on illness and healing.
I can offer this unique approach thanks to my broad training as a philosopher, physician, theologian and lawyer (see references in footnote[1] ).
As a physician, I am always attentive to the medical aspects of anxiety, depression and burnout. In doing so, I draw on valuable insights from psychosomatic medicine, which focuses on the interactions between the biological, psychological and social domains (more info: What is Psychosomatic Medicine? – American Psychosomatic Society).
In treating anxiety and depression, I also draw on ‘lifestyle’ medicine, which focuses on a healthy diet, exercise, restorative sleep, stress management and avoidance of risky substances, and prioritises positive social interactions (more info: Home – American College of Lifestyle Medicine).
A guide to patient (self-)evaluation is Bernheim’s “anamnestic comparative self-assessment (ACSA)”, a measurement method for well-being based on the patient’s life experience.[2]
I can offer this unique approach thanks to my broad training as a philosopher, physician, theologian and lawyer (see references in footnote[1] ).
As a physician, I am always attentive to the medical aspects of anxiety, depression and burnout. In doing so, I draw on valuable insights from psychosomatic medicine, which focuses on the interactions between the biological, psychological and social domains (more info: What is Psychosomatic Medicine? – American Psychosomatic Society).
In treating anxiety and depression, I also draw on ‘lifestyle’ medicine, which focuses on a healthy diet, exercise, restorative sleep, stress management and avoidance of risky substances, and prioritises positive social interactions (more info: Home – American College of Lifestyle Medicine).
A guide to patient (self-)evaluation is Bernheim’s “anamnestic comparative self-assessment (ACSA)”, a measurement method for well-being based on the patient’s life experience.[2]
As a lawyer, I pay particular attention to the patient’s social context. Family, work and social environment as well as financial and legal issues have a significant influence on the patient. Analysing problems in these domains and formulating legitimate solutions is therefore an important part of my approach.
As a philosopher, I work to organise the patient’s thoughts, beliefs, feelings, behaviours and habits. Philosophy can be a source of new thoughts, which in turn lead to new beliefs and feelings, ultimately resulting in new behaviour.
Philosophy in ancient times was all about the art of living, of living the good, happy life. Among other things, I use insights from Stoicism, which teaches people to focus on controllable things in life instead of getting stressed by uncontrollable factors. I also work with evidence-based therapies derived from these, such as cognitive behavioural therapy and rational emotive behaviour therapy (more info: BABCP | British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies > What is CBT? > Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-What’s the Evidence?).[3]
Finally, as a theologian, I offer the possibility of discussing the existential/spiritual aspect at the indication of the person suffering from anxiety, depression and burnout. This can draw on more than a thousand-year-old traditions.
Because each person is unique, the most appropriate way to resolve anxiety, depression and burnout is also different from person to person.
Therefore, I attach great importance to drawing up the treatment plan and -especially- to do this together with the patient. First, I make a thorough analysis of the various factors affecting his/her clinical picture. Then I suggest an arsenal of possible interventions. Then I draw up a treatment plan, taking into account the patient’s preferences.
My treatment plans are ‘evidence-based’; in other words, they are based on insights that have proven their usefulness. Plans are never fixed; we adjust according to the patient’s progress, by mutual agreement.
As a philosopher, I work to organise the patient’s thoughts, beliefs, feelings, behaviours and habits. Philosophy can be a source of new thoughts, which in turn lead to new beliefs and feelings, ultimately resulting in new behaviour.
Philosophy in ancient times was all about the art of living, of living the good, happy life. Among other things, I use insights from Stoicism, which teaches people to focus on controllable things in life instead of getting stressed by uncontrollable factors. I also work with evidence-based therapies derived from these, such as cognitive behavioural therapy and rational emotive behaviour therapy (more info: BABCP | British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies > What is CBT? > Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-What’s the Evidence?).[3]
Finally, as a theologian, I offer the possibility of discussing the existential/spiritual aspect at the indication of the person suffering from anxiety, depression and burnout. This can draw on more than a thousand-year-old traditions.
Because each person is unique, the most appropriate way to resolve anxiety, depression and burnout is also different from person to person.
Therefore, I attach great importance to drawing up the treatment plan and -especially- to do this together with the patient. First, I make a thorough analysis of the various factors affecting his/her clinical picture. Then I suggest an arsenal of possible interventions. Then I draw up a treatment plan, taking into account the patient’s preferences.
My treatment plans are ‘evidence-based’; in other words, they are based on insights that have proven their usefulness. Plans are never fixed; we adjust according to the patient’s progress, by mutual agreement.
My practice mainly focuses on treating people with anxiety, depression and burnout.
Over the past 25 years, when counselling my patients, I have observed that their well-being is determined by an interplay of factors in different domains, not just the medical or psychological. This is why I use the “biopsychosocial-spiritual model” (more info: What is the BioPsychoSocial Spiritual Model? [Full Guide] (lifesensecounselling.com.au)). That is, in addition to focusing on medical aspects, it also focuses on psychological, social and existential (spiritual) factors, as these have a major impact on illness and healing.I can offer this unique approach thanks to my broad training as a philosopher, physician, theologian and lawyer (see references in footnote[1] ).
As a physician, I am always attentive to the medical aspects of anxiety, depression and burnout. In doing so, I draw on valuable insights from psychosomatic medicine, which focuses on the interactions between the biological, psychological and social domains (more info: What is Psychosomatic Medicine? – American Psychosomatic Society).
In treating anxiety and depression, I also draw on ‘lifestyle’ medicine, which focuses on a healthy diet, exercise, restorative sleep, stress management and avoidance of risky substances, and prioritises positive social interactions (more info: Home – American College of Lifestyle Medicine).
A guide to patient (self-)evaluation is Bernheim’s “anamnestic comparative self-assessment (ACSA)”, a measurement method for well-being based on the patient’s life experience.[2]
As a lawyer, I pay particular attention to the patient’s social context. Family, work and social environment as well as financial and legal issues have a significant influence on the patient. Analysing problems in these domains and formulating legitimate solutions is therefore an important part of my approach.
As a philosopher, I work to organise the patient’s thoughts, beliefs, feelings, behaviours and habits. Philosophy can be a source of new thoughts, which in turn lead to new beliefs and feelings, ultimately resulting in new behaviour.
Philosophy in ancient times was all about the art of living, of living the good, happy life. Among other things, I use insights from Stoicism, which teaches people to focus on controllable things in life instead of getting stressed by uncontrollable factors. I also work with evidence-based therapies derived from these, such as cognitive behavioural therapy and rational emotive behaviour therapy (more info: BABCP | British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies > What is CBT? > Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-What’s the Evidence?).[3]
Finally, as a theologian, I offer the possibility of discussing the existential/spiritual aspect at the indication of the person suffering from anxiety, depression and burnout. This can draw on more than a thousand-year-old traditions.
Because each person is unique, the most appropriate way to resolve anxiety, depression and burnout is also different from person to person.
Therefore, I attach great importance to drawing up the treatment plan and -especially- to do this together with the patient. First, I make a thorough analysis of the various factors affecting his/her clinical picture. Then I suggest an arsenal of possible interventions. Then I draw up a treatment plan, taking into account the patient’s preferences.
My treatment plans are ‘evidence-based’; in other words, they are based on insights that have proven their usefulness. Plans are never fixed; we adjust according to the patient’s progress, by mutual agreement.
[1] Master’s degree in philosophy (Free University of Brussels). Medical doctor (Ghent University). Baccalaureate in theology (Catholic University of Leuven). Master of Laws (University of Antwerp). Master in Laws (Yale University, USA). PhD (Erasmus University of Rotterdam).
[2] Cf. Jan Bernheim: a Pioneer/Prophet in Getting Serious Answers to the Serious Question “How are you?” | Applied Research in Quality of Life (springer.com) My master’s thesis in philosophy, led by Prof Jan Bernheim, had as its topic (measuring) quality of life at the end of life.
[3] Aaron Beck, founder of cognitive therapy, and Albert Ellis, founder of rational emotive behaviour therapy, refer to the Stoic philosopher Epictetus (circa 50-130 AD) as the source of their therapy.