Posts Tagged: Behavioural Health Consultant

Health team provides full support for diabetic patient

When Jeff Symic discovered he had Type 2 diabetes, he also found out there was a team of health professionals to support him in his medical clinic. That concept of having all these services under one roof is known as a medical home, which helped Jeff take steps towards a healthier lifestyle. Jeff has been…

Why I teach relaxation

By Luc TherrienBehavioural Health Consultant What has convinced me to teach relaxation to everyone? I could tell you that relaxation and meditation have been studied extensively over the past 40 years and that we’ve even observed a change at the genes’ level after only one session of relaxation, but that may seem abstract. Instead, I…

COPD patient becomes stronger with exercise

Sabine Brouillette credits her health team at Edmonton Southside PCN for saving her life. The 67-year-old COPD patient’s breathing was becoming worse. When she was refused treatment at her dentist because of her breathing, she went to see her family doctor, Dr. Colleen Johnston, at Town Centre Family Clinic. Dr. Johnston referred Sabine to a…

Patient finds a way out of the dark hole of depression

Scott Wood’s life was crashing until a visit to his family doctor brought him back on the right track. His spiral into a deep depression started in 2009 when he witnessed a head-on collision between a small car and a rig truck on Highway 33 between Swan Hills and Whitecourt during a spring storm. “The…

Family physician sees impact of PCN services

Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network equipped Dr. Mark Antoniuk with resources offering him the opportunity to accept additional patients to his medical practice. “I’ve actually had new patients who’ve wanted to join my practice because I was part of the PCN. They’ve heard of all these services that are available, and they’ve left other clinics…

Patient candidly describes battle with depression

When Gary Krutzfeldt started feeling so empty and helpless, he turned to his family doctor for help.Dr. Don Korzenowski of Millwoods Family Medical Clinic prescribed anti-depressants for Gary but told him this was only half the answer and he needed to see a behavioural health specialist from Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network. “I have to…

PCN workshop helps calm anxious patient

Anxiety has plagued Sheila Hilderbrandt for most of her life. She would lie awake all night worrying about her health issues. She wouldn’t leave her home except once a week to get groceries. Her mind wouldn’t shut off and she couldn’t control her thoughts. “It started with my diabetes. I had to go on insulin….

Medical experience gives patient insight

A traumatic medical experience forced Beverley Anne McAmmond to change the way she approached her life.After recovering from five surgeries involving diverticulitis, a severe fungal infection and hernia, Beverley was dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety. Her family doctor referred her to Crystal Degenhardt, a mental health specialist at Edmonton Southside Primary Care…

Workshop eases patient’s stress

Peter wasn’t sure how to handle the stress he was facing from work and his personal life. As a pharmacist, he was used to solving other people’s problems. The 57-year-old was fighting depression and bladder cancer when he turned to Dyan Eybergen, a behavioural health consultant at Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network, for help. Dyan…

Patient learns how to manage emotions

In the past, Jerry Gruenwald would rather show his emotions than deal with them. This almost caused his marriage to break down and pushed him into a depression. His family doctor, Dr. Mark Antoniuk, and his primary care nurse, Michele Kralt, were given the opportunity to assess Jerry and offer assistance to help him through…