Specialties & Services
As a health psychologist, I focus on how stress, behavior, and physical symptoms influence one another. Mind and body are deeply interconnected, and I draw on evidence-based approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness to help clients shift patterns that leave them feeling stuck.
I'm licensed in the state of Colorado and serve adult clients within the state. All sessions are conducted virtually via a secure telehealth platform.
Pain Psychology
& Chronic Illness
Specialized support to manage symptoms, target the stress–symptom cycle, and improve both emotional and physical well-being.
Insomnia
(CBT-I)
Evidence-based, first-line treatment that retrains the brain and body for lasting, restorative sleep.
Stress, Anxiety,
& Life Transitions
Structured, supportive therapy for chronic stress, burnout, anxiety, and
major life changes.
Featured in UCHealth Today
An overview of how CBT can support chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety, and depression.
Coping with Health Challenges:
Pain Psychology & Chronic Illness
Living with a chronic health condition can feel overwhelming. Whether you’ve been struggling to manage chronic pain, facing a life-changing new diagnosis, or navigating chronic illness, health challenges affect more than just your body - it may feel like dealing with your health has taken over your life. Worries tend to creep in, moods can shift, sleep is often affected. Activities become more difficult, and you might find that you're not able to do the things you once loved. Even relationships may be impacted. Over time, the stress, uncertainty, frustration, and grief can build, leaving you feeling anxious, discouraged, or worn down. To make matters worse, stress, poor sleep, and other factors worsen pain, trigger symptom flare-ups, and diminish the body’s ability to recover.
Many people are initially unsure about seeing a health psychologist for chronic pain or illness. Clients have shared with me that they have initially questioned if their doctors referred them to health psychology because their doctors thought their symptoms were "all in their head," or as a last resort, having exhausted other treatment options. Others have wondered how therapy could possibly help them with their real, physical problems, whether that's a chronic pain, GI problems, or a complex set of symptoms that have yet to be fully understood or diagnosed.
Chronic pain and other ongoing physical symptoms are very real. And so are all the stresses that come along with them. We know that chronic pain and illness are often influenced by complex interactions between your body, mind, and environment.
That's exactly why I'm passionate about what I do: Evidence-based health psychology approaches complement medical care in ways that can help alleviate pain or other symptoms, lead to better physical functioning, and improve emotional wellbeing, ultimately enhancing your overall quality of life.
By focusing on the mind-body connection, I help clients interrupt cycles that contribute to chronic pain or symptom flare-ups. We'll take the time to process what you’re going through, develop tools to calm the nervous system, reduce the stress cycle, improve sleep, and focus on strategies that help you feel better both physically and emotionally. Health psychology can be a key component of comprehensive, holistic care for chronic pain or illness, often alongside medical and/or complimentary/alternative care.
I've supported adults facing many types of health conditions ranging from chronic back pain, fibromyalgia, migraines, cancer, diabetes, to autoimmune diseases, and more.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
Tired of being tired? If you feel like you've tried everything and nothing has worked, you're not alone. And, there is still hope: Sleep difficulties are highly treatable, even when they've been going on for a long time.
CBT-I is the first-line, evidence-based treatment for insomnia. It is as effective as sleep medication in the short-term and more effective over time, with benefits that continue even after treatment ends. Most people begin to fall asleep more easily, wake less during the night, and feel more rested within several weeks.
CBT-I is a structured, short-term therapy (usually about 6 sessions) that helps retrain your brain and body to sleep naturally by systematically addressing the multiple underlying patterns that disrupt sleep. Because insomnia is usually maintained by several interconnected factors, most people with chronic insomnia do not find lasting relief from sleep hygiene tips or other strategies when used in isolation.
CBT-I can be used on its own or alongside medical treatment when insomnia is layered with other conditions, such as HRT for peri-menopausal or menopausal sleep disruption, sleep apnea, chronic pain conditions, and other health concerns.
CBT-I is a science-backed, comprehensive approach that typically includes:
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Comprehensive sleep hygiene to set the stage for healthy, restorative sleep
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Stimulus control, specific strategies to retrain your brain to associate your bed with sleep again
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Personalized sleep schedule ongoing, tailored adjustments to optimize your sleep quality and duration
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Cognitive restructuring to help break the endless cycle of insomnia, stress/anxiety, and frustration
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Effective relaxation techniques to calm both mind and body in preparation for rest
Stress, Anxiety, & Life Transitions
You may be feeling burned out by a high-stress job or caregiving responsibilities, overwhelmed after a separation or divorce, or stepping into parenthood and grappling with identity changes. Periods of transition, even positive ones, can bring uncertainty, self-doubt, and emotional challenges.
Or maybe you’ve been dealing with anxiety for years, exhausted by the never-ending stream of worries racing through your mind, overanalyzing and overthinking, trying to keep it all together. Stressed. Tense. Irritable. Anxiety takes a heavy toll and can wear you down mentally, emotionally, and physically.
While we can’t always control our stressors, we can change how we respond. In our work together, I’ll help you navigate life’s challenges while building a deeper resilience and inner wisdom. We’ll focus on practical, evidence-based skills and strategies to help you feel more centered in both mind and body so you can move through life’s ups and downs feeling more balanced and grounded.
Disclaimer: This website provides general information about Seasons Health Psychology and is not intended as professional advice. Contacting Dr. Schumacher through this website, via email, phone/text, or participating in a consultation call does not establish a therapist–client relationship. See full disclaimer.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency, please seek immediate support. I do not provide crisis services.
Call or text 988, or chat at 988Colorado.com. | Find a 24/7 in-person crisis center here. | Go to your nearest emergency room or call 911.