Tinnitus Self-Management Program

Deborah Lain, is a Registered Psychologist in Calgary, AB since 1983 and her private practice is SoulSpring Counselling. Her special interest is in the area of Health

Psychology and she has developed a specialization in the Psychological Management of Tinnitus. Deborah offers an 8 week Tinnitus Self-Management Program designed to teach self-control techniques on how to manage the emotional impact of tinnitus and regain personal mastery and improved quality of life. She is currently writing a companion workbook to accompany the program.

Deborah has completed the Tinnitus Management Course for Professionals through the American Tinnitus Association and is a listed service provider. She has written an article in the ATA journal, Tinnitus Today on “A Bridge of Hope: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy—Learning How To Live While Having Tinnitus” which is published in the September 2006 issue. “The Role of Psychologist in the Treatment of Tinnitus” will be out in a later issue. She is in a feature article in Good Life magazine and has co-authored an article with an Oto-Neurologist and Audiologist for the Parkhurst Exchange; a medical educational journal.

Deborah attends the annual conference on Management of the Tinnitus Patient in Iowa. She has presented to the Canadian Academy of Audiology, Canadian Hard of Hearing and the Canadian Association of Speech Pathologists and Audiologists. Deborah has spoken to the Calgary Health Region and other Audiology groups, support groups in Calgary, Denver, Colorado Springs and Scottsdale, AZ. Her goals include more writing, workshops and presenting to WCB, the DVA and to speak at clinical sessions with ENT’s in Canada and the US. Ultimately, Deborah wants to be part of a multidisciplinary tinnitus specialty clinic.

Deborah speaks with passion against the notion of passive acceptance of the impact of Tinnitus in the patient’s life. With enthusiasm, Deborah will inspire and empower you with ways that you can reclaim aspects of life impacted by this condition. Please join her in celebrating the hope that exists for the person with Tinnitus.

Tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease, of a fault in the hearing system. In the absence of an established cure, many individuals are not only challenged with needing to adjust to the sensation of constant noise in the ear(s) or head, but also must learn to live with an array of negative consequences the Tinnitus can create. High levels of emotional distress such as depression, anxiety, irritability, anger, insomnia, concentration problems and disruptions to occupational, social, recreational and interpersonal functioning are reported.

Tinnitus therefore is not only sensory (audiological), but also has a strong psychological component. It is the negative consequences of Tinnitus that impact the individual’s well-being and functioning that are amenable to treatment. “Learning to Live with Tinnitus” involves dealing with the negative emotional states that arise because of it.

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The goal for treatment is to improve the individual’s ability to reduce the impact that Tinnitus has on their well-being and overall lifestyle. An approach called Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy has been highly successful in the treatment of Tinnitus. This approach attempts to facilitate acceptance of the aspects of Tinnitus that cannot be changed while emphasizing a positive, affirming attitude to future adjustment and control over the condition.

Tinnitus Self-Management Program

SoulSpring Counselling is very pleased to offer an exciting seminar series to those who are challenged with Tinnitus. Successful coping with Tinnitus is enhanced with the implementation of:

Cognitive Restructuring
Attention Control
Imagery Training
Relaxation Training

By developing skills in these areas, individuals can turn despair into hope and anguish into acceptance. Many people have reported that by using these methods, they gain a sense of control over their reactions to Tinnitus. It is the sense of control that is an important factor in successfully reducing the distress caused by the Tinnitus.

The Tinnitus Self-Management Program is an eight-week seminar series. Each week, individuals will receive information, concrete tools and strategies, handouts and home practice exercises. Your participation in the entire eight week series is required in order to receive the full benefit of the materials presented. There is supportive evidence to suggest that individuals with Tinnitus have experienced positive results in:

Understanding the impact of Tinnitus on daily life
Learning strategies and techniques to alter your response to Tinnitus
Reduce symptoms experienced as a result of the Tinnitus

Click here to email SoulSpring Counselling on how to register for the Tinnitus Self-Management Program and begin your journey toward conquering the “sound within”.

For further information and to register call: 403-253-4559