There is Great Need for Psychological Care for Renal Patients
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end stage renal disease (ESRD) present significant mental health liabilities. Untreated mental health in renal illness can lead to hastened disease progression sometimes beginning in the early stages of illness and progressing thereafter. Untreated psychological needs have also been found to lead to treatment incompliance, avoidant heath behavior, increased hospitalization, decreased quality of life, increased depressive symptoms, and illness morbidity and mortality.
My name is Dr. Molly Kierein. I am a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of California. I am also an end stage renal disease survivor (ESRD) and kidney transplant recipient.
Over the past 40 years, research findings point to the need for greater psychological care of renal patients in order to improve health outcomes. This, coupled with my own experiences as a patient, have compelled me to exclusively dedicate my practice to support the mental health of renal patients. A literature review of mental health throughout the stages of renal disease is currently in peer review.
Supportive Offerings:
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Individual Mental Health Treatment
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Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
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Psychodynamic therapy
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Other forms of evidence-based treatment (ACT, ERP, MI)
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Transplant eligibility-focused treatment, preparation, and evaluation
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Stage-Based Group Therapy
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Pre-renal replacement therapy and ESRD group
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Living on dialysis group
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Post-transplant adjustment group
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Accepted Health Plans:
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Medicare
**Future groups in development will support care-takers and the recently diagnosed
If you are working with patients who may benefit from individual therapy or psychologist led group therapy and reside in California, you can provide them with the following information:
Thanks You For All You Do For Kidney Patients!!