Chronic Illness / Chronic Pain

Chronic illness and chronic pain can drastically change your life.  Isolation, depression, anxiety, anger, and grief are all normal reactions to being sick and in pain.  It can feel overwhelming to manage your physical symptoms as well as the emotional stressors that come along with being sick.  Uncertainty about the future can bring about a sense of helplessness and fear, as you may feel at the mercy of your body which you can no longer trust.  You may feel alone and isolated, you may feel jealous of others who seem to be living happy and healthy lives, and you may feel abandoned by or angry at family and friends who just don’t seem to “get” your limitations.  Invisible illnesses such as Lyme Disease, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, HIV, Lupus, Thyroid Disease, and Autoimmune Diseases can be even more challenging when people tell you, “you don’t look sick,” or, “maybe it’s just in your head!”

Looks can be deceiving.  

You may not have an illness yourself, but perhaps your loved one does.  Caregivers, significant others, and family members also struggle with complicated emotions related to their loved one’s illness.  As a caregiver, you too need support.

You do not have to suffer alone.

While chronic illness is not something you chose, you can learn to cope with it better.  Without the tools to navigate  the emotional stress of chronic illness, your health can decline even further since stress has a significant impact on the body’s physical healing.  I can help you create a plan to work through and heal the emotional issues around chronic illness.  Pain is inevitable with chronic illness, but suffering doesn’t have to be.

I can provide in person therapy and also Skype or phone therapy for those who are homebound or too ill to commute to my office, as well as for caregivers who do not have time to make it in.