Chronic Illness Therapy
What it is: Chronic illness therapy is mental health counseling designed to address the unique concerns of people with chronic illness.
What it does: Chronic illness therapy focuses on helping people rebuild a relationship to their body as it is now. It can also address grief, self esteem changes, uncertainty, chronic illness burnout, and relationship and other challenges.
Methods I use: I primarily use two theories -- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Somatic Transformation -- in chronic illness therapy.
Potential benefits of chronic illness therapy
(With a therapist who also experiences chronic illness)
Working with a chronic illness therapist may results in better outcomes for your:​
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Ability to navigate systems like the disability, medical, and work systems
- Communication with colleagues, families, partners, etc.
- Hopes & goals for the future
- Life satisfaction
- Mental health symptoms
- Relationship satisfaction
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​Relationship with your body
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Social satisfaction
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Stress & chronic illness burnout
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While no two chronic illness experiences are the same, I will likely have deeper empathy, more resources, and more practical tools to offer than therapists who don't have lived experience with chronic illness and within the chronic illness community.