Why do I specialize in working with people who have been impacted by chronic illness?

I have been there myself. I understand from experience how much it can change your life!

I struggled with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for a few years in my early 20s. I know what it’s like to feel like the rug has been ripped out from underneath you when you are just trying to live your life. I understand the emotional pain, the grief and loss, the worry about your own health, and the struggle to regain your health and vitality. It’s a tough road to walk, but there is hope!

Having a therapist who “gets it” can make a big difference. So, I’ve decided to devote my practice to being the type of support I needed when I was going through it. So now I’m here for you!

How can I help you?

We will talk about how your health situation is impacting your life, and develop a plan for treatment that is individualized for you. Maybe you need a safe, non-judgmental space to process how your health is impacting your life (your relationships, job, mood, daily functioning, etc.). Maybe you need some neuroscience-based mental health support to help you deal with stress and trauma which will rebalance your brain and nervous system health and support your immune system and put your body in a state of rest, digest and recovery!

Whatever you are needing, I will listen to you, and we will work together to incorporate treatments that will be supportive for your situation and goals. And if there’s something you are needing support with that I do not offer, I can pull from my referral sources to connect you with other professionals or services.

How long will you need therapy?

Boy, oh boy, can I empathize with this question! When I was going through those really difficult times in my recovery, I wanted to feel better yesterday!

What I can tell you is that I make it my mission to get you feeling better as quickly as possible because I understand what it’s like to just want to get back to your life! Unlike what movies sometimes portray, therapy is not meant to be lifelong! From the very start, we will talk about your goals and how we will know when you are ready to graduate from therapy. We will periodically check in on progress and shift our focus as needed to get you to where you want to be as quickly as possible. It’s my job for you to not need me anymore!

The length of therapy depends on multiple factors including the type and severity of your health issues, pre-existing mental health concerns, your support system, existing coping skills, other stress or trauma in your life, your readiness for therapy, the connection between you and your therapist, and the types of treatments used. I offer a free consultation with every new client to make sure it feels like a good fit. And I am continually expanding my education and training to help you reach your goals faster and have more sustainable results.

Do you really need therapy?

Maybe, maybe not. Sometimes, people have all the support and skills they need in their life to manage the onslaught of stressors and emotional impacts that chronic illness can have on our lives. If that’s you, I know this is still a difficult time, but you’ve got this! And if you find yourself needing more support down the road, I’m here for you! But if you are already here on my website, my guess is that you are looking for some relief and additional support right now. I’m here to help!

If you’re not sure, I’d encourage you to schedule a free consultation and we can talk through your situation one-on-one to decide if therapy would be appropriate for you at this time. If therapy would be supportive, I’d be honored to be on your team!