Living with chronic illness is a special and unique challenge. It can present in many ways and often leaves people feeling isolated, overwhelmed, gaslit, and guilty, or like a burden.

I share personal experience with this issue. I brought symptoms to doctors for nearly a decade before getting a proper diagnosis, which is a different struggle from receiving useful care.

Some ways counseling can help a family dealing with chronic illness include:

Pacing and limits

Life demands can require unmanageable amounts of energy and cognitive load. It is easy to cycle between pushing through and then crashing. I can help you find grounding, respect limitations, and practice your voice to establish a higher status quo with self-compassion.

Uncertainty outside

There is a lot our medical system does not understand about chronic illness. I can help you clarify your personal plan for symptoms, advocacy, and care: questions to ask, quit criteria, and practical prioritization.

Uncertainty inside

Symptoms can change day to day, creating anxiety, self-doubt, and internal gaslighting. We can define meaningful metrics and language to counter negative assumptions with evidence, while making space for grief.

Communication

Chronic illness can shrink our worlds. We may fear burdening others, resentment, or supports leaving. A neutral third party can help facilitate difficult conversations and clarify what you want to express.

Identity

New diagnoses can shake identity. Therapy can help process grief for lost roles, while exploring identities beyond diagnosis.

I am here to help you shrink and tame the elephant in the room.