You remember the moment like it was yesterday… The moment the doctor gave you the news that would change your life, or at the very least, the way you went about your daily responsibilities. You probably remember the flood of questions and emotions that came all at once, and how overwhelming it all seemed. Yet, at the same time, there was a sense of relief in finally having an answer, a name for the cause of the symptoms you’ve been experiencing for so long.
Or, perhaps you’re still living with questions that seem to have no answers, and emotions that have no outlet. Getting out of bed some days is about as much as you can expect, much less getting done any of the other tasks that need to be done. You’re still waiting for a diagnosis, and you’ve tried every treatment you can think of. You’re tired.
Maybe you’re “on the other side” of the initial shock of your diagnosis, but you’re still struggling to maintain a positive outlook on the present and the future. You have a handle on managing your symptoms with your doctor’s support, but you still feel like you’re not where you’d like to be emotionally.
Therapy Can Help
Regardless of where you are on your journey in dealing with chronic illness or pain, supportive psycho-therapy may be able to help you regain the sense of control and emotional wellness that you long for. How does therapy help with these concerns? Research has shown that in many cases, individuals who have suffered a psychological trauma may later experience symptoms of chronic illness or pain. In addition, other symptoms often slowly creep in that make managing your illness or pain an even greater challenge. Anxiety, depression, loneliness, guilt, and many other emotions are common among those who struggle with chronic illness and pain. It’s also common to unintentionally develop beliefs that reinforce patterns of thinking that work against your emotional health.
A collaborative approach uniquely designed to address the emotional impact of your symptoms can help restore a sense of peace, comfort, and happiness, and help you get back to living a fulfilling life that doesn’t revolve around your symptoms and limitations. Together, we’ll develop a plan that’s specific to your needs, and we’ll address your wellness from a whole-body perspective using researched based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and mindfulness based approaches. I’ll help you learn strategies to manage the physical aspects of these symptoms as you work toward emotional and physical wellness. As a therapist who also walks the journey of chronic illness, I understand the unique challenges of living with illness and pain, and I’m here to help!