Chronic Illness
Living with chronic illness can be a challenge, at times feeling completely overwhelming, at times slowing us down, or causing anxiety and depression. Living with chronic illness may also offer a window into post-traumatic growth, deeper compassion and wisdom, and deeper connection with yourself and others. Psychotherapy offers a supportive space to explore how your body and mind interact, and how you relate to your illness. It offers a way to develop practical tools for managing your condition with more ease and inner grace.
When working with chronic illness, I rely heavily on cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness, and acceptance-based approaches. I most often practice the following:
Relaxation Techniques — such as diaphragmatic breathing (deep breathing) and deep muscle relaxation — often ease tension and promote a sense of calm. I use thorough instruction, guided imagery, and mindfulness-based strategies to help you find ways to soothe your nervous system and manage stress. When appropriate, I use biofeedback, which may further help you gain awareness of your body's responses and make relaxation more accessible.
Mindfulness helps us become more present, allowing us to relate to your physical experiences with less fear, resentment, or judgment. Radical acceptance encourages us to acknowledge and work with our reality, letting go of unhelpful expectations, and allowing us regain momentum in areas where change is possible.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can guide us in identifying what truly matters to you, and help take steps towards living a more joyful and fulfilling life, even with pain in it. We'll focus on building resilience and finding ways to engage in activities you value, shifting the focus and energy away from pain's dominance.
This journey is about exploring ways to enhance your coping skills and improve your overall well-being. Together, we'll explore gentle and effective strategies that empower you to take an active role in managing the impact of chronic illness. It's an invitation to cultivate a more peaceful relationship with your body and mind, and to find new pathways to engagement and meaning, despite the challenges you face.
Conditions I work with most often include:
Tinnitus (ringing in ears)
Pain conditions: chronic pain, fibromyalgia, headaches, migraines, endometriosis, complex regional pain syndrome.
Gastrointestinal conditions: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s Disease, Celiac Disease
Autoimmune conditions
Cancer