Patient Counseling and Support at Comprehensive Prosthetics & Orthotics

Emotional Support and Counseling for Amputees

Adjusting to life with a prosthetic or orthotic device can bring emotional challenges such as grief, anxiety, or self-image changes. Accessing professional counseling and peer-based support can make a profound difference in long-term recovery and wellbeing. Recommended Mental Health and Counseling Resources include:

Amputee Coalition Peer Support: Connects new amputees with trained peer visitors and certified support volunteers who provide one-on-one mentorship and emotional guidance.
Amputee Coalition Support Groups Directory: Search for in-person and virtual support groups throughout the Midwest.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Offers free peer-led support groups and mental health education. Local NAMI chapters in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Missouri specialize in rehabilitation-related mental health needs.

CPO clinicians can also refer patients to licensed rehabilitation psychologists and mental health specialists with experience supporting individuals adapting to prosthetic or orthotic use.

Peer and Community Support Resources

Connecting with others who share similar experiences can help individuals build confidence and feel empowered during recovery. These organizations foster a sense of belonging and resilience within the amputee and orthotic communities:

Amputee Coalition: The nation’s leading nonprofit for limb loss and limb difference, providing education, advocacy, events, and emotional support.
Amputee Blade Runners: Offers free running prosthetics and mobility mentoring for active amputees nationwide, with support extended throughout the Midwest.
Challenge Unlimited (Illinois & Missouri): A nonprofit helping people with disabilities find meaningful employment and community inclusion opportunities.
Iowa Amputee Golf Association: Promotes community engagement and adaptive sports opportunities for amputees in Iowa and surrounding states.
Indiana Amputee Support Group Network: Statewide list of support meetings, often hosted in rehabilitation hospitals and clinics.

CPO encourages patients to explore these organizations as part of their long-term emotional and physical wellness plan.

Advocacy and Disability Rights Resources

Navigating accessibility, workplace accommodations, and legal protections can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, several Midwest-based advocacy groups help patients and families understand and exercise their rights. Key Advocacy Organizations:

Equip for Equality: Based in Illinois, this nonprofit provides free legal services, advocacy, and training to protect the rights of people with disabilities.
Missouri Protection & Advocacy Services (MO P&A): Defends the rights of individuals with disabilities through legal support, advocacy, and education.
Disability Rights Iowa: Offers advocacy and legal representation for Iowans facing barriers in healthcare, employment, and accessibility.
Indiana Disability Rights: Provides assistance to Hoosiers with disabilities to ensure they receive equal access to public services and accommodations.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Amputation System of Care: For veterans and active-duty service members, offering nationwide rehabilitation and prosthetic support.

These organizations ensure that individuals with limb differences can live independently, pursue employment, and access medical care without discrimination.

Family and Caregiver Counseling Resources

Caring for a loved one with a prosthetic or orthotic device can be emotionally demanding. Families play a critical role in recovery, and having the right resources can make the adjustment process smoother for everyone involved. Recommended Family Support Services:

Family Caregiver Alliance: Offers free education, counseling, and online support groups for family members and caregivers.
Amputee Coalition Caregiver Resources: Guides and webinars designed to help families understand the limb loss recovery process.
Mental Health America: Provides local affiliate programs for caregivers seeking emotional wellness and resilience support.

At CPO, we encourage families to contact these programs early in the recovery process to strengthen communication, build confidence, and improve their quality of life at home.

Local Midwest Resources and Support Programs

CPO maintains strong partnerships across the Midwest to ensure every patient can find nearby support, including community-based counseling, group meetings, and adaptive recreation:

Illinois: Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (Shirley Ryan AbilityLab): Offers counseling, adaptive recreation, and amputee recovery programs.
Indiana: IU Health Rehabilitation Hospital: Provides prosthetic rehabilitation and emotional support groups for patients and families.
Iowa: University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics Prosthetics and Orthotics Clinic: Hosts patient education and emotional health services.
Missouri: Mercy Hospital St. Louis – Rehabilitation Services: Offers integrated physical and emotional support programs for amputees.

Each of these locations provides specialized services designed to meet prosthetic and orthotic patients' physical and psychological needs.

Your Partner in Comprehensive Recovery

At Comprehensive Prosthetics & Orthotics, we believe that true healing involves the body and mind. Through partnerships with regional and national organizations, we help patients and their families find the strength, confidence, and community they deserve.

To learn more about emotional counseling, peer mentorship, or advocacy services in your area, please contact your nearest CPO USA location in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, or Missouri. Our team can connect you with the right support resources for your journey.