Chronic Pain or Illness

I support clients in navigating the complexities of chronic pain or illness by addressing both emotional and practical aspects, including *the stress and uncertainty* of significant medical diagnoses. This includes those disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Drawing from my own experience with unexpected health challenges, I bring a personal understanding to our work. Together, we'll collaborate on ways to better your quality of life and cope with the ongoing impacts of chronic conditions.

I have worked with individuals with chronic illnesses for many years, and can offer a compassionate space to process what it means for you. From navigating a world that is not inclusive of those with differences in abilities, the challenges of explaining a chronic illness to a new partner, and grieving the loss of a future you hoped for, I hope to provide you a space to be fully and authentically yourself.

In a world where Chronic Pain, Illness and Disease or Dis-Ease is vastly dismissed and underdiagnosed, I want to help you advocate to get the right care that you need. I want you to feel heard and validated as it can be a VERY lonely and long battle. You are not alone. What you are feeling in your body and what is happening to you is real whether it is somatic, undiagnosed and/or diagnosed.

I worked in medical and geriatric social work for over five years. In these practice settings, I gained familiarity with the psychosocial impact of chronic illness, chronic pain, and adjustment to changes in ability. I am familiar with many medical conditions, including cancer, POTS, macular degeneration and other forms of low vision, renal disease and organ transplant, and Alzheimer's and other dementias.

Living with illness, disability, and/or chronic pain can leave you feeling isolated as you navigate changing relationships, medical care, stretched finances, grief for what's been lost, fear about the future, experiences of invisibility/hypervisibility, and anger about how you've been treated. I work from a Disability Justice model, grappling with the ways in which our world often fails to provide accommodation and access, and how our lives become shaped by that lack of care and recognition.

I support clients in navigating the complexities of chronic pain or illness by addressing both emotional and practical aspects, including *the stress and uncertainty* of significant medical diagnoses. This includes those disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Drawing from my own experience with unexpected health challenges, I bring a personal understanding to our work. Together, we'll collaborate on ways to better your quality of life and cope with the ongoing impacts of chronic conditions.

Living with chronic pain myself, I understand the drastic effects these conditions can have on a person’s life. Chronic pain can impact every aspect of your life. It can lead to emotional distress, isolation, and make it difficult to maintain daily activities and employment. My own experiences have fueled my empathy and dedication to helping others navigate these challenges with a deep understanding and effective strategies.

I provide Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain. This is an evidence-based therapy for chronic pain that encourages clients to adopt an active, problem-solving approach to the many challenges of chronic pain. Clients will engage in meaningful activities, learn to manage stress, tackle unhelpful thoughts, and become more engaged in life again.

Living with chronic pain and or illness can create stress on all levels of our being. I am here to help you on all levels with pain, diagnosis, chronic pain, and illness. I am able to provide mind/body/emotion/spirit support via hypnotherapy and doula services when necessary

I cured myself of a repetitive stress injury issue in college using Dr. John Sarno's mind-body medicine approach. Since then this approach has become more sophisticated and trauma-informed and I use it frequently with clients to help them heal from chronic pain and/or illness provided there is no known serious medical condition.

Adults struggling with chronic illness or chronic pain often feel alone, isolated, and misunderstood. They struggle to make sense of medical trauma and dismissive medical providers. We will use holistic and somatic approaches to manage the impacts of illness management.

My work in hospitals has prepared me to help people living with pain,or adjusting to life changing medical issues.

EMDR and CBT provide greater psychological flexibility in the presence of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors associated with pain. Using functional medicine, we explore how and why illness occurs & balance health by addressing the root causes of a disease. It helps us see the common pathways to disease (e.g., inflammation) the role of diet, stress, & physical activity; sciences of genes and metabolic processes; & the effects of environmental toxins on health and recovery.

Chronic illness, fatigue, and/or pain can be incredibly overwhelming, and isolating. Do you find yourself stressing over self-care, feeling unsupported by loved ones, struggling to balance work, rest, relationships and your passions? Do you feel fragmented from your sense of self and the things that bring you joy? You are not alone! Through mindfulness techniques, nervous system support, and expressive art practices I hope to support you in experiencing more ease, joy, and wellbeing in your life

Did you know that research shows therapy for chronic pain is as effective as painkillers? You can have much more influence over your pain than you'd imagine and you can get back to living a full life. Like pain medications, therapy works on the physical body but it also addresses two areas that medications don't. Whether you are dealing with chronic pain or chronic illness, you and I will work together to find solutions so you can focus on living a vibrant, satisfying life.

Living with illness, disability, and/or chronic pain can leave you feeling isolated as you navigate changing relationships, medical care, stretched finances, grief for what's been lost, fear about the future, experiences of invisibility/hypervisibility, and anger about how you've been treated. I work from a Disability Justice model, grappling with the ways in which our world often fails to provide accommodation and access, and how our lives become shaped by that lack of care and recognition.

I have helped hundreds of clients who are actively suffering from chronic pain, chronic illnesses, and debilitating disabilities. Coming-to-terms with your physical struggles, learning how to navigate life with them, and finding your personal strengths all are very useful ways to beat the depression and anxiety that these issues cause. Good therapy can help.

Living with illness, disability, and/or chronic pain can leave you feeling isolated as you navigate changing relationships, medical care, stretched finances, grief for what's been lost, fear about the future, experiences of invisibility/hypervisibility, and anger about how you've been treated. I work from a Disability Justice model, grappling with the ways in which our world often fails to provide accommodation and access, and how our lives become shaped by that lack of care and recognition.