Arthritis Life

How can Applied Behavior Analysis and Mindfulness help People with Chronic Illness? Kristen’s Story.

Episode Summary

After getting diagnosed with a chronic illness, you usually have to change a *lot* of your daily routines and behaviors. Kristen is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who lives with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sjogren’s Disease. She and Cheryl explore how behavior principles and tools and mindfulness can help people with chronic illness improve self-efficacy, empowerment and engagement in valued activities.

Episode Notes

Kristen delves deep into the science behind behavior analysis and shares how she has used data to help her track her symptoms such as brain fog and fatigue. She also shares how mindfulness and acceptance based therapies can help people living with chronic illnesses achieve a better quality of life.

Kristen also helps other chronic illness warriors apply the principles of behavior analysis to their unique health and lifestyle management goals through 1:1 behavioral coaching. In addition to being a chronic illness warrior, Kristen is also pursuing a PhD in Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences, she is married to her high school sweetheart, and loves hiking and being outdoors with her partner and three dogs. 

Cheryl Crow is an occupational therapist who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis for seventeen years. Her life passion is helping others with rheumatoid arthritis figure out how to successfully navigate physical, emotional and social challenges. She formed the educational company Arthritis Life in 2019 after seeing a huge need for more engaging, accessible, and (dare I say) FUN patient education and self-management resources.

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