Somatic Symptoms and Related Disorders Therapy in Roanoke, VA
Somatic symptoms and related disorders can make physical sensations, health concerns, or unexplained symptoms feel overwhelming and all-consuming. Some individuals experience significant distress about pain, fatigue, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, or other bodily sensations, while others live with ongoing fear that they may have a serious medical condition despite reassurance or normal test results.
At The Manassas Group, we provide therapy for somatic symptoms and related disorders in Roanoke, Virginia in-person and through telehealth throughout the rest of Virginia when clinically appropriate. Therapy offers a supportive and respectful space to better understand the connection between mind and body, reduce distress, and build healthier ways of coping with symptoms and uncertainty.
We offer both in-person therapy at our Roanoke office and telehealth sessions across most of Virginia when clinically appropriate.
Somatic Symptoms and Related Conditions
• Somatic Symptom Disorder – significant emotional distress related to physical symptoms such as pain, fatigue, or other bodily sensations that disrupt daily life.
• Illness Anxiety Disorder – persistent fear or worry about having or developing a serious medical illness despite limited medical evidence.
• Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder) – neurological-like symptoms such as weakness, tremors, or non-epileptic episodes that are not fully explained by a medical condition.
• Psychological Factors Affecting Other Medical Conditions – emotional or behavioral factors that worsen or complicate an existing medical condition.
• Factitious Disorder – intentionally presenting or creating symptoms that reflect deeper psychological distress.
Understanding the Mind-Body Connection
Physical symptoms are real, and the distress they cause is real. For many people, the body and mind become caught in a cycle where stress, fear, attention to symptoms, and physical discomfort begin reinforcing one another.
Therapy does not dismiss symptoms or assume they are “just in your head.” Instead, therapy helps individuals understand how anxiety, stress, past experiences, and patterns of attention may be affecting the intensity of symptoms and the way they are experienced. With the right support, people can often reduce distress, improve functioning, and feel more grounded in their daily lives.
Treatment Approaches We Use
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Helps individuals recognize patterns of thought, fear, and behavior that can intensify distress about physical symptoms and health concerns.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Supports people in responding more flexibly to discomfort and uncertainty while staying connected to values, daily functioning, and meaningful life activities.
• Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Helps individuals develop a calmer awareness of bodily sensations and reduce the urge to constantly monitor, check, or interpret symptoms in catastrophic ways.
• Psychoeducation About the Mind-Body Connection
Provides a clearer understanding of how stress, anxiety, and nervous system activation can influence physical symptoms and the experience of pain or discomfort.
• Trauma-Informed Therapy
When relevant, trauma-informed work helps explore whether past experiences, chronic stress, or unresolved emotional pain may be contributing to symptom sensitivity and distress.
And others
How Therapy Can Help
Therapy for somatic symptoms and related disorders focuses on reducing distress, improving daily functioning, and helping individuals respond differently to physical symptoms and uncertainty. Many clients learn ways to interrupt cycles of fear and symptom monitoring while building greater emotional stability and confidence.
With consistent support, therapy can help individuals feel less controlled by their symptoms and more able to engage in work, relationships, and everyday life.
Somatic Symptoms and Related Disorders FAQs
Do you provide therapy for somatic symptom disorder in Roanoke, VA?
Yes. Our clinicians may provide therapy for somatic symptom disorder, illness anxiety, and related concerns depending on therapist availability and clinical appropriateness.
Can therapy help if my physical symptoms are real?
Yes. Therapy does not dismiss physical symptoms. It helps reduce the distress surrounding them and improve coping, functioning, and quality of life.
What is illness anxiety disorder?
Illness anxiety disorder involves persistent fear of having or developing a serious medical condition, even when medical evaluation does not support that fear.
Do you offer telehealth therapy for health anxiety or somatic symptoms?
Yes. Telehealth may be available across most of Virginia when clinically appropriate.
Schedule an Appointment
If health anxiety, physical symptom distress, or related concerns are affecting your daily life, support may be available. Our clinicians at The Manassas Group are here to help when appropriate.