Manage Vision-Specific Stress

Vision loss is

stressful.

Vision changes can make doing daily tasks such as paying bills or making dinner overwhelming. You might feel frustrated, angry, embarrassed, or hopeless every time you attempt an activity that used to be easy. Additionally, the uncertainty of vision loss can cause worry and distress, contributing to anxiety, depression and other health problems.

Manage Vision-Specific Stress

Individual or group online support

It's possible to feel at ease and confident when facing the everyday challenges of vision loss. I provide a personalized approach to managing stress from vision loss that matches your individualized needs with evidence-based strategies.

Learning to manage stress from vision loss helps you

build on your strengths and existing coping strategies
navigate the process of adjustment to vision loss
decrease risk for anxiety and depression associated with vision loss.

Ready to get started?

Schedule a Free Consultation

Please note that Manage Vision-Specific Stress training does not replace mental health services. I collaborate with and refer to mental health professionals as needed.

What is vision-specific stress?
Vision-specific stress refers to negative emotions triggered by experiences, such as:
- struggling to read the newspaper or a recipe
- worrying about further vision loss
- feeling isolated because you can't drive
- wondering if you are getting the help you need.
Why is vision-specific stress management training beneficial for people with vision loss?
A combination of training is needed to minimize the negative emotional impact of vision loss.
- Going blind is considered one of the biggest fears related to changes in health or ability.
- Even mild vision loss can trigger fear of blindness, especially when daily tasks become taxing.
- In a survey of mental health professionals, blindness was rated as the most challenging disability to address, partly due to mental health providers' self-reported lack of expertise in vision loss and adaptive strategies.
- Research suggests that training to improve independence isn't enough to reduce negative emotional impact.
- Research also identifies that training that explicitly teaches how to minimize the negative emotional impact of vision loss is needed.
How do I know if vision-specific training is right for me?
During the free 30-minute consultation, we discuss your needs, goals, and the services you are already using.

My services might be right for you if, since you've experienced changes in your vision, you've felt:
- Elevation in your baseline stress level
- Preoccupied with the uncertainty of the future
- Increased emotional reactivity
- Changed family dynamics
If my services aren't a good match for you, I will refer you to other resources or services that might be a better fit.

Please note my services do not replace mental health services. I collaborate with and refer to mental health professionals as needed.
What can I expect from a training session with you?
Services include an initial evaluation and follow-up sessions based on your progress. The sessions follow a set process:
- A 15-minute free consultation to discuss your needs, goals, and your current eye care and low vision services
- Once we agree to work together, you will receive an email invitation to the HIPAA compliant, secure patient portal. You will need to:
1. Complete the intake forms
2. Submit credit card or debit card for payment
3. Upload an updated eye exam to the patient portal. Eye exams need to be within the past year and reflect any significant change in vision.
I recommend having a vision buddy attend the appointments if you benefit from tech support or another pair of eyes and ears.
- Initial Evaluation is 90 minutes and includes:
1. Reviewing your eye exam and implications of the findings related to adjusting to vision loss
2. Identifying your strengths and existing coping strategies
3. Introducing breath work and stress-reducing practices
4. Assigning daily homework
- Follow-up training sessions are 60 minutes and include:
1. Reviewing completed homework
2. Teaching specific skills
3. Monitoring progress
4. Assigning daily follow-up homework
5. Applying learned skills to health and wellness goals
- After each session, you will receive a summary via encrypted, HIPAA-compliant email within 48 hours.
How will I know that I have improved my stress management skills?
Training outcomes are individualized and may include:
- Self-report of decreased baseline stress level.
- Self-initiated use of calming strategies as needed in daily life.
- Self-report of reduced emotional reactivity to everyday vision stressors.
- Better communication with family regarding vision problems.
- Increased feeling of support, hopefulness, and confidence.
What are your qualifications?
My qualifications include over 20 years of providing vision rehabilitation to a broad population of individuals with vision loss crossing the lifespan from children to older adults.

I'm recognized as a subject-matter expert in low vision due to my active leadership in the field, including presenting, mentoring, and writing about leading-edge low vision topics.

Additionally:
- I earned a master's degree in Visual Disabilities from Vanderbilt University (1999).
- I have been a certified low vision therapist (CLVT) through the Academy of Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals since 1999.
What is the cost?

The initial Low Vision Navigation session is $125.00 for 90 minutes, including:
a customized, low-vision resource list
a summary with easy-to-follow next steps
Additional one-hour appointments are available for $75.00 an hour.

I am an independent unaffiliated provider with unbiased recommendations on low devices and services.

If out-of-pocket costs are not an option for you, during the free 30-minute consultation, we can discuss other options for you that might be a better fit. Sliding scale fees may be an option; I take a limited number of sliding scale clients.
Do you take insurance?

Low vision therapy services are educational services that insurance does not cover.
What are your hours?

The online scheduling system offers my availability.
In addition to appointments during typical business hours (Mountain Standard Time), I offer some appointments on weekday evenings and Saturdays.
What are your payment, cancellation, and refund policies?

Payment information is obtained at the time of scheduling and submitted during service.

Appointments can be canceled 48 hours in advance, without cancellation fees.

If you have to cancel an appointment less than 48 hours in advance, you can reschedule it once during a two-month window. Refunds are not issued.

Erika faces the camera with a serene expression during a morning walk in nature.

Hi! I'm Erika.

Your baseline stress level with low vision can change! That's one of my biggest hopes for you. Learning to effectively manage stress from vision loss potentially provides compounded benefits, since it's good for your overall health, too. It's work we do together that reframes your perspective despite vision loss.

Learn more about me .