Congenital Heart Disease & Mental Health (CHD)

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is a condition that presents itself as abnormalities or structural defects in the heart at birth (CDC, 2026). 1 in every 100 babies are born with CHD, making it the most common birth defect (CDC, 2026). In other words, about 40,000 babies in the USA are born with CHD every year, and 1 in 4 babies need surgery or intervention within their first year of life (CDC. 2026). People born with CHD often need continued care throughout their life (CDC, 2026).

How does CHD impact Mental Health?

There is a strong correlation with CHD and mental health. The American Heart Association (AHA) noted that around 50% or half of people living with CHD suffer from depression or anxiety. Furthermore, people with CHD are at risk for medically related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (AHA, 2025). Overall, repeated medical procedures, uncertainty about future health, and the demands of lifelong cardiac care can contribute to emotional stress.

This is the case with Children and Teens who suffer from CHD as well. They tend to present with the above mentioned challenges but with added factors such as issues with socialization, relating to peers, and the external stressors related to living with CHD (especially in complex cases of CHD) (AHA, 2025).

Evidenced Based Practices I use in Therapy for CHD and Chronic Health Issues

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT can help clients confront unhelpful thoughts and beliefs that often cause feelings of anxiety and/or depression directly and create new patterns of thinking that are more helpful and often more reasonable. This can help with unwanted and unhelpful thoughts and beliefs related to CHD. See below for a brief example:

Unhelpful Thought: “I will never be loved because of the scar on my chest”

New Helpful Thought: “I am beautiful and loveable just as I am”

Narrative Therapy: Narrative therapy is all about recognizing the external stressors and contexts of our lives, problems that we don’t control that often are a major part of our “life story'“. This approach lets you choose your own story, how you want to live, regardless of what has happened to you. Together we get to create a story that you choose, not CHD or Chronic Illness.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT): TF-CBT is a CBT based approach that deals with trauma for children and teens. It’s a structured approach (sessions with TF-CBT will be structured and less abstract/open) that include Caregiver support and involvement, CBT techniques, emotional regulation and a trauma narrative. This can include your trauma narrative (story) related to CHD or Chronic Illnesses and conditions.

Please let me know if you are interested in this approach for your self or teenage child - (I will also assess to see if trauma work will be helpful/needed)

Mindfulness: Mindfulness is all about being in the present moment. Being aware and paying attention. Often we get distracted by external stressors and worries, maybe even CHD and worrying over an upcoming procedure or appointment, what the EKG or echocardiogram will show. Mindfulness can help you stay and be more present in moments with those you love or even when enjoying a yummy dessert. It helps shift our attention away from these worries and focus on just being in the present, enjoying life and focusing on what you want to focus on.

Humanistic/Client Centered therapy: I used client centered therapy to remind you that I am in your corner of the ring. Meaning that I support and accept you just as you are in the present moment. That judgement and shame have no place in therapy. Furthermore this is where I bring my lived experience with CHD into the therapy room in an appropriate and professional manner. I use it to empathize and relate to you or your child’s lived experiences. From the surgeries, worries and almost everything else that comes with CHD. I’ve been there. I feel and still live it currently. I have also done my own inner work and navigated these challenges, so I know it’s possible to live a full, fun, and meaningful life with CHD.