Psychotherapy for Functional Neurological Disorder
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a condition in which the nervous system produces real, disabling symptoms (movement problems, sensory disturbances, seizure-like episodes, cognitive symptoms) without the structural neurological disease typically associated with those symptoms. It is one of the most common conditions seen in neurology clinics.
FND is a positive diagnosis, made by a neurologist based on specific clinical signs. It is not a diagnosis of exclusion, not "faked," and not "all in your head" in the dismissive sense. It is a real disorder with real neural mechanisms and real treatments.
Our clinicians work with clients who have been diagnosed with FND (or a related condition such as PNES, functional weakness, or functional movement disorder) and are looking for the psychotherapy piece of a coordinated care plan.
Common Challenges We Support
FND presents differently across people. Psychotherapy at our clinic most often addresses:
- Understanding what FND actually is: many clients arrive with fragmented or dismissive framings from prior providers. Building a shared, accurate model is often the first therapeutic step.
- Managing the mood consequences: depression, anxiety, and demoralization are common in FND, both as risk factors and as consequences of living with disabling symptoms.
- Trauma-informed work when relevant: when there is a trauma history connected to symptom onset or maintenance, evidence-based trauma-focused therapy can be an important component.
- Coordination with physiotherapy and neurology: for motor and functional symptoms, physiotherapy is often the primary intervention. Our work supports and complements it.
- Rebuilding function and identity: symptoms often reshape work, relationships, and self-concept. Therapy supports the graded rebuilding of a life around the current reality of the condition.
Our Approach
Sessions begin with a thorough understanding of your diagnostic history, current symptoms, prior treatments, and life context. Treatment draws on cognitive-behavioural therapy adapted for FND, trauma-informed approaches where relevant, acceptance and commitment therapy, and somatic and nervous-system regulation techniques.
We coordinate care with your neurologist, rehabilitation physician, and physiotherapist. Psychotherapy is one strand of effective FND care, not a stand-alone answer.
Who This Is For
This program is appropriate for:
- Adults with a positive FND diagnosis or a closely related functional presentation
- Individuals currently engaged with a physiotherapist or rehabilitation team who are seeking the psychological component of care
- Clients navigating the anxiety, mood, or trauma dimensions that often accompany FND
Getting Started
An initial consultation will include a review of your diagnostic history, current symptoms, and treatment goals. From there, your clinician will recommend an approach and discuss how it fits alongside your existing care.
This page describes our general approach. Treatment is individualized and coordinated with your medical team.