Are You Feeling Helpless, Hopeless And Alone In Your Illness And Pain?
As you struggle with chronic illness or chronic pain, do you feel hopeless and wonder if you will ever feel better? Are ongoing pain, distressing symptoms and lifestyle limitations affecting your ability to engage in activities you enjoy or even to function on a day-to-day basis? Perhaps you’ve always been highly active and productive, and now the limitations caused by your illness are impacting your relationships, job and overall sense of self-worth. Maybe you feel miserable all the time, with little to no energy or focus to do anything, especially if you’re dealing with cognitive impairments like brain fog. It might be that you feel overwhelmed by depression and anxiety symptoms, and have perhaps found yourself entertaining suicidal thoughts. Are you experiencing ongoing fears about where you can or cannot go, what you should or should not eat and how you will manage all the treatments and doctor bills that insurance doesn’t cover? Do you wish you could feel better or, at the every least, supported and understood as you figure out how to cope with the mental, emotional and physical pain?
Living with the symptoms, limitations, chronic fatigue and uncertainty that come with a chronic disease can be a highly distressing experience, especially if it feels like there’s no escape. You may have a diagnosis or still be undergoing testing to determine why you are so ill. Medications and treatments may be creating adverse reactions or doing little to relieve your symptoms, while medical bills continue to pile up, adding stress to what already feels like a perpetual nightmare. To make matters even more challenging, friends and family members may be struggling to understand what is wrong with you. Some may even question or downplay your experience, especially if doctors can’t determine the cause of your symptoms. You may be turning to drugs or alcohol—anything, really, to alleviate pain—but nothing you do provides any sort of sustainable relief. Varying health professionals, friends, family members and information provided on websites might be telling you what to do—or not do—only increasing your fears and further limiting your ability to live a normal life. It might be that you’ve also developed anxiety, depression or another mood disorder as a result of your illness, causing you to feel even more alienated and alone. Although you might desperately want to feel better, you might be approaching your wit’s end, wondering if anything or anyone can really help.
Millions Of Americans Are In Pain
If you’re suffering from chronic pain or a chronic illness, you are not alone. Statistics show that more than 100 million American adults have a chronic pain condition and more than half of all Americans are living with a chronic illness. Studies also show that these numbers are on the rise, which is of little surprise when you consider how toxic the American diet, environment and lifestyle has become. There are a record number of chemicals in our food, water, air and soil, with most of us eating, drinking and breathing in these toxins unknowingly. We also live in an increasingly busy and disconnected society, in which we’re constantly on the run and letting self-care practices, such as getting adequate sleep and maintaining a healthy diet, go by the wayside. Ongoing stressors also keep our fight or flight responses on high alert, making it feel impossible to relax or even take a break. Many—if not most—of us are also walking around with at least some level of unresolved trauma, further deregulating our nervous systems and impacting mental, emotional and physical health. And, the level of stress experienced by Americans rises every year, which studies continue to show is a major contributing factor in many health issues.
It can be hard to know what to do or how to feel with so many variables impacting your basic ability to feel well and function with ease. And, as someone who knows firsthand the challenges, fears and pain of living with a chronic illness, I know how frustrating and exhausting the experience can be. However, as a therapist with decades of experience treating clients using both empirically based and holistic modalities, I also know the healing power of therapy. With the compassionate support and guidance of a skilled mental health counselor and an approach tailored to meet your specific needs, you can develop the tools needed to effectively cope with chronic illness and pain and feel more energetic, empowered and capable in your life.
Chronic Illness Counseling Can Provide You With Insight, Support And Relief
No matter your illness, symptoms or level of pain, there is help and hope for relief. There are many tools, approaches and strategies that can help you cope with the mental, emotional and physical distress caused by chronic disease. And, in a safe, understanding and compassionate therapeutic relationship, I will validate your experience and help you discover and tap into your innate strength as you develop effective ways to cope with chronic illness.
In chronic illness therapy sessions, we will do the important trauma therapy work needed to help clear your nervous system of shock so it has the space needed to heal. As we safely resolve developmental trauma, situational trauma or trauma caused through or increased by your pain or illness, you can develop the coping skills and acceptance needed to manage and move past the pain you are in today. I can also guide and support you through the grief process, which often accompanies illness, pain, loss of mobility and significant changes to lifestyle. You can feel and express all the anger and sadness, come into a place of acceptance and let it go.
I understand that everyone experiences pain, illness, grief, anxiety, depression and trauma in different ways, which is why I draw from varying modalities and will tailor create a therapy approach that best addresses and supports your unique needs and therapy goals. Whether through mindfulness, somatic therapy, EMDR/ Brainspotting or traditional talk therapy, we will take a solution-focused approach that works specifically for you. Throughout the process, I will provide you with strategies, skills and tools you can use to continue building resiliency, tolerance and strength as you learn how to cope mentally, emotionally, physically and even spiritually with your condition.
As someone who has been diagnosed with CIRS and lyme disease, I know how distressing it is to live with a chronic condition. Throughout my own personal journey, however, I have learned that these illnesses are here to teach me something. I heal more and feel closer to feeling whole again every day that I work with what I’ve been given rather than fight it. I also know that while it may feel impossible to get rid of a chronic illness or chronic pain, there is hope to engage in life in empowering and uplifting ways. And, it can be extremely helpful to have a skilled and supportive person to help you navigate the challenges along the way. With guidance and support, it is possible to learn tools that can significantly shift your perspective and improve your daily life. Even small changes in thinking and behaving can open up new potential to live with a sense of stability and possibility.
You still may have questions or concerns about chronic disease therapy…
I’m physically not able to come to your office and/or fear leaving my home and being exposed to toxins.
I understand the limitations placed upon people dealing with pain management issues and chronic health conditions, which is why I offer sessions via phone and online therapy sessions via Skype. You can enjoy the benefits of therapy from the comfort and convenience of your home.
I think I could really benefit from added support right now, but given medical expenses, I’m worried about taking on additional costs.
As someone who has personally dealt with insurance companies and the out-of-pocket costs of elective procedures and treatments, I sincerely understand and appreciate the financial concerns that come up when dealing with chronic health issues. However, I also know how valuable it can be to work with a skilled and understanding therapist who can offer you support, guidance and coping skills. If financial issues are truly overwhelming for you right now, I invite you to contact me directly to discuss possible options to get you the added support you need.
What I’m dealing with is a physical issue, not a mental one. How can a mental health counselor help?
From a holistic perspective, it’s important that you work on healing all of you—body, mind and spirit—and therapy can be an important adjunct to your medical protocol. Through counseling, you can clear trauma, work through anxiety and depression and learn how to cope with the symptoms of chronic pain and illness that impact all aspects of your life. And, with your permission, I can work in collaboration with your other care providers so that you receive the best, most holistic care and support possible.
You Can Live With Increased Competence, Clarity And Ease
You don’t have to navigate the symptoms of chronic disease or struggle with pain management on your own. If you’re in Louisville, CO or the surrounding area, I invite you to call me at 720-427-8222. I’m happy to discuss your specific condition(s) and answer any questions you have about chronic illness counseling, pain management therapy and my practice.