Examining Counseling Needs of Headache Patients: An Exploratory Study of Wellness and Perceived Stress

Headaches are a complex medical problem that results in significant health expenditures, lost employee attendance and productivity, and relationship disturbance. Further, psychological counseling is one of the basic components of treatment of sufferers of chronic headaches. A study of 60 adults seeking medical care at a headache specialty clinic was conducted to provide preliminary information on levels of wellness and perceived stress in this population. Not surprisingly, overall levels of wellness were low and perceived stress was high compared to a norm group of adults. Specific components of wellness varied with spirituality being higher among the headache population and nutrition, exercise, and locus of control being lower. A case study is presented from practice in a medical clinic, and implications for mental health counselors as providers in medical settings are discussed.