IN-PERSON IN BRENTWOOD, TENNESSEE | ONLINE THERAPY IN 40+ STATES
Chronic Health Issues Counseling for Children, Teens, & Adults
Finding meaning and balance while managing health challenges.
Live fully while managing ongoing health issues.
Chronic illness can transform every aspect of your life—from daily routines to relationships, career plans, and your sense of self.
Whether you're dealing with cancer, an autoimmune condition, diabetes, chronic pain, heart disease, or other conditions that constantly remind you of their presence, the emotional impact can be as challenging as the physical symptoms.
Living with a chronic illness can bring unique emotional and practical challenges. The journey often involves grieving, adapting, and finding new ways to thrive despite physical limitations.
Some common chronic illness concerns I address:
Adjusting to new limitations while preserving your core values
Finding meaning and purpose within a changed life trajectory
Building resilience through ongoing health challenges
Supporting family members adjusting to new roles and dynamics
Grieving your pre-illness identity and life
Processing the shock and denial of a new diagnosis
Managing the longing to return to your former self and activities
Coping with the sense that you no longer recognize your life or yourself
I provide compassionate support so you can focus on living fully.
You are not defined by your diagnosis.
IN OUR SESSIONS
How counseling can help with your chronic health issues.
Counseling works to address the mental and emotional aspects that often accompany chronic illness.
Through evidence-based approaches, therapy provides support and practical strategies to help you navigate the challenges of your health condition while enhancing your overall well-being and quality of life.
Process the emotional, psychological, & physical impact of diagnosis and treatment
Develop strategies to manage medical anxiety and uncertainty
Address family dynamics and relationship changes
Find meaning and purpose while acknowledging limitations
Create practical systems for treatment adherence
Common types of chronic illness I address:
Cancer and cancer treatment challenges
Autoimmune disorders (such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, MS)
Chronic pain conditions and chronic fatigue
Diabetes and metabolic disorders
Heart disease and cardiovascular conditions
Gastrointestinal disorders (such as Crohn's, UC, IBS, Celiac)
Respiratory conditions (such as asthma, COPD)
Neurological disorders
Rare diseases and complex medical conditions
Invisible illnesses that others may not understand
Do you have a loved one with a chronic illness?
Supporting someone with a chronic illness can be challenging in its own unique ways.
I also work with family members—partners, parents, siblings, and other loved ones—of those managing chronic health conditions.
As a family member, you might:
Feel uncertain or helpless about how to provide proper support
Find yourself minimizing your own needs to avoid adding extra stress
Experience being overlooked as attention centers on your loved one's condition
Struggle with complex emotions like guilt, frustration, or grief
Therapy can help you develop healthy boundaries, effective communication strategies, and self-care practices while still providing meaningful support to your loved one. Your well-being matters too, and addressing your needs ultimately benefits everyone involved.
Two convenient options for counseling:
Online Counseling
I can provide online therapy to anyone living in the 40+ states and territories that are a part of PSYPACT.
Talk with someone who understands.
When illness changes your life unexpectedly, it's natural to grieve who you were and what you've lost.
While only you know exactly what you're going through, I bring both professional expertise and genuine compassion to help you navigate these challenges.
I can help you process these complex emotions while discovering new ways forward. Together, we'll find meaning within your changed circumstances and reconnect with the core parts of yourself that remain, even as your body and life have transformed.
Some common questions about chronic illness counseling:
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A chronic illness is a health condition that persists for a long time (typically a year or more), requires ongoing medical attention, and may limit daily activities. Unlike acute conditions that come on suddenly and resolve quickly, chronic illnesses are long-term and often progressive, with symptoms that can range from mild to severe and may fluctuate over time.
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Chronic illnesses include autoimmune disorders (like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis), cancer, diabetes, heart disease, respiratory conditions (asthma, COPD), chronic pain conditions, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, gastrointestinal disorders (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, IBS), neurological conditions, and many others. These conditions vary widely in their symptoms, progression, and impact on daily life.
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Chronic illness counseling specifically addresses the unique psychological and emotional challenges that come with managing long-term health conditions. It focuses on the intersection of physical and mental health, helping you navigate medical trauma, treatment decisions, body image changes, medical PTSD, and the grief that often accompanies diagnosis.
I have experience with chronic illness and understand the medical terminology, the impact of symptoms on daily functioning, and how to adapt therapeutic techniques for varying energy levels and physical limitations. I can also help you advocate for yourself within healthcare systems while finding meaning and purpose despite health challenges.
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Psychosomatic pain is real physical pain that's influenced or exacerbated by psychological factors like stress, trauma, anxiety, or depression. While not classified as a chronic illness itself, psychosomatic pain can become chronic and debilitating. The connection between mind and body is complex - emotional distress can trigger physical symptoms through nervous system activation, muscle tension, and inflammatory responses.
Conditions like fibromyalgia, some forms of chronic back pain, and functional neurological disorders often involve this mind-body interaction. In therapy, we address both the physical experience of pain and its psychological components, recognizing that the pain is genuine regardless of its origin. Effective treatment typically combines psychological approaches with appropriate medical care for comprehensive pain management.
Still have a question?
