Chronic Illness

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Have a Chronic Illness?  Get Help Now!

People living with chronic illness are at a higher risk for also experiencing increased symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression.  Our goal is to provide a safe and secure place where you can share what is going on for you in a nonjudgmental, supportive space.

How Therapy Can Help With Chronic Illness

If you have an acute or chronic illness, therapy can help you deal with the stress and anxiety of dealing with an acute or chronic illness.  There is a very close relationship between mental health and physical health. We all know this as the mind-body connection, which is the close relationship between mental health and physical health and the impact they have on one another.

Therapy for Illness can help you to overcome insecurities and fears, identify and avoid triggers that can worsen symptoms, and stop habits that have negative effects on your health.

We utilize Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and other interventions which have been proven to increase coping with difficult disorders, reduce negative emotions that exacerbate medical problems, and in some cases, can even reverse certain medical conditions. A large body of research supports the use of CBT for chronic pain, heart disease, gastrointestinal problems, and high blood pressure, among others.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy sessions are usually structured by a collaboratively agreed-on agenda. Therapists expect that the patient will be an active participant in the therapy process.  Homework assignments are typically given between therapy sessions. Treatment involves psychoeducation and skills practice where the patient learns a range of cognitive and behavioral strategies designed to address the factors that trigger, maintain, or exacerbate symptoms. Ultimately, the strategies have proven to be effective in helping patients to gain control over both psychological and physical symptoms.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy also uses mindfulness skills training that helps our minds to slow down and notice what is going on internally and externally. Regular mindfulness practice has been associated with reduced feelings of depression and anxiety, improved compassion for self and others, improved attention and focus, and even reduced physical pain and discomfort.

Additional skills learned in CBT Therapy include relaxation strategies that include diaphragmatic breathing, also known as breathing retraining, or paced breathing. By learning these breathing techniques you can increase awareness of your breath. By tuning in, and through regular practice, you can change the pace of breathing and the length of your inhales and exhales. Progressive muscle relaxation(PMR) is another relaxation strategy we utilize in CBT Therapy. In this strategy, the patient practices tensing and then releasing muscle groups. Progressive muscle relaxation helps people notice where they carry physical tension in their bodies and helps to reduce tension over time, which, our patients find very helpful.

To get help for coping with an illness-Contact us and schedule an initial session to see if therapy with us is right for you.