Has A Chronic Illness Made Your World Feel Small And Limited?
Does it feel like your body is constantly working against you?
Are you tired of going from doctor to doctor without ever getting answers?
Do you find yourself constantly canceling plans and feeling like a burden to others because of your condition?
Maybe your illness has led to numerous restrictions around food, travel, dating, and other areas of life. Every time you’re out and about, your only thought is: When will my next flareup occur, and how will I manage it?
Perhaps you often have to call out of work or school because of how much pain you’re in. Over time, you might feel resentful and embarrassed about the fact that you can’t do the things other people your age can.
As a result, maybe you’re thinking of seeing a therapist who can help you navigate the day-to-day obstacles of life with a chronic illness.
Living with a chronic illness - do these feel like your reality?
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Feeling like your body has betrayed you - Grieving the life you had before your diagnosis or the activities you can no longer do
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Living with unpredictable symptoms - Never knowing if you'll wake up feeling okay or if you'll need to cancel plans last minute
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Dealing with invisible illness frustration - Looking "fine" on the outside while struggling internally, leading others to question your pain
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Constant medical appointments and treatment decisions - Feeling overwhelmed by managing your condition and navigating the healthcare system
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Relationship strain and social isolation - Friends who don't understand, feeling like a burden, or withdrawing because it's easier than explaining
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Loss of identity beyond your illness - Feeling like your condition has taken over who you are and what defines you
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Financial stress from medical costs - Worrying about treatment expenses, lost income, or insurance coverage
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Sleep disruption and fatigue - Exhaustion that goes beyond normal tiredness and affects every aspect of your life
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Anxiety about the future - Worrying about disease progression, disability, or how your condition will impact your family
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Feeling dismissed by healthcare providers - Not being heard, having symptoms minimized, or being told "it's all in your head"
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Grief and anger about your "new normal" - Mourning the loss of your former life and struggling to accept limitations
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Caregiver guilt or burden - Feeling bad about how your illness affects your loved ones or relying on others for help
Chronic Illness Is Not Just Painful—
It’s Disheartening And Expensive
When you’re living with a chronic illness, so much time, money, and energy goes into managing your condition and it feels like you have no time for anything fun. Yet in spite of how much you sacrifice to get your pain under control, your efforts could lead to diminishing returns.
Doctors may invalidate you, gaslight you, or tell you that “It’s all in your head.” Your lab results may come back normal and new treatments and medications may not even scratch the surface of your pain. Skyrocketing medical costs could leave you with heaps upon heaps of unpaid medical bills.
Whether you’re dealing with an autoimmune condition, a metabolic disorder, or chronic pain related to a life-changing injury, we know how exhausting and disheartening this kind of life can be. That’s why Bright Light Counseling Center is passionate about working with chronic illness survivors. We’re here to provide the support and validation that you haven’t gotten from other specialists while equipping you with the skills to handle the emotional toll of your pain.
Our Society Is Not Designed For The Chronically Ill
Many public spaces aren’t wheelchair accessible, many workplaces don’t have accommodations in place, and many restaurants don’t have menu options for those with dietary restrictions. On top of that, people with chronic illnesses are often treated as though their pain isn’t real. Others might say things like “A little gluten won’t hurt you” or “I still show up to work when I don’t feel well” without realizing how insensitive these remarks are.
Because most chronic conditions are not apparent to the naked eye, those suffering often feel invisible. Their pain is often downplayed by medical professionals, making it even harder for them to access the necessary treatments because of that. So it’s no surprise that more and more people with chronic pain are turning to therapy for relief.
Chronic Conditions Often Coincide With Deep-Rooted Emotional Issues
Doctors usually only focus on the physical symptoms of a chronic illness, yet there is so much more to the picture. After all, many chronic health issues have emotional roots.
This is especially the case with trauma, since trauma gets stored in the body and has been known to exacerbate—or even cause—various medical issues.
The key to treating a chronic illness lies in working with the whole person—mind, body, and soul. This is why it’s so vital to have a therapist in your support network. You may not be able to get rid of your condition, but with the right support, empowerment, and validation, you can get back control of your life and learn to manage your pain more effectively.
Counseling Can Make Life With A
Chronic Illness More Manageable
Your pain is real. At Bright Light Counseling Center, we’re here to tell you that we believe you and we know how exhausting and debilitating it is to live with a chronic illness.
Whether you’re dealing with POTS, celiac, IBD/IBS, endometriosis, diabetes, fibromyalgia, arthritis, or any other condition, we’re here to affirm your struggles, help you unpack your symptoms, and provide you with new tools for pain management and self-advocacy.
What To Expect In Chronic Illness Counseling Sessions
The first step of therapy is normalizing your experience. We recognize that you are the expert on your own body and you know your health best. That's why we will let you lead the way in therapy, enabling you to feel in charge of your life again and giving you back the power that chronic pain and the symptoms of your chronic illness took away.
Together, we can work on:
● Exploring the impact of your illness on your daily life
● Addressing past traumas that contribute to your condition
● Advocating for yourself in the medical world
● Learning about the psychology of pain management
● Figuring out ways to accomplish your goals in spite of your pain
Tailoring Our Approach To Chronic Illness Counseling
Everyone brings different goals and health concerns to treatment, which is why we individualize counseling for each of our clients. Some of the main therapeutic interventions we draw from include:
● Mindfulness Practices for regulating your nervous system when you’re in pain and helping you get into “rest and digest” mode when you feel anxious and tense.
● Spoon Theory to help you assess how much energy you have in a given day so that you can direct your attention toward the most important tasks and responsibilities.
● Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for addressing negative core beliefs (e.g., “I want to finish school but I can’t because of my pain”) and finding ways to break your goals down into more realistic and manageable steps.
● Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you accept that health issues are part of your life while teaching you to still live according to your values.
● Interpersonal Therapy - Navigate how your chronic illness impacts your relationships and communication with family, friends, and healthcare providers while strengthening your support network
Through an approach that is comprehensive, evidence-based, and deeply empathetic, we’re confident that we can ultimately empower you to live a full and joyful life in spite of your condition. We want to help you manage your flareups, gain new self-advocacy tools, and direct your time and energy toward the goals and values that are most important to you.
You May Have Some Questions
About Chronic Illness Counseling…
Uncertainty about therapy is a common concern people have when considering
whether or not to try therapy for their chronic illness.
We know that attitudes toward therapy vary between people and cultures, but beyond fear there are many valid questions about the effectiveness of therapy in managing the emotional toll of chronic illness symptoms.
What if I’m too busy and exhausted to make space for counseling?
We understand that managing your doctors’ appointments—on top of all your other responsibilities—can be a lot. But if you’re reading this page, chances are you know you could benefit from some deeper emotional support. The good news is that our practice offers telehealth sessions as well as both weekly and bi-weekly scheduling options. Together, we’ll find something that accommodates your health and your schedule.
Why should I seek mental health therapy for a chronic illness?
Mental health and physical health are deeply interconnected.
While we can’t eradicate your pain, we can work through valuable questions like:
How can you avoid spiraling when you have a flareup?
How can you navigate depression and anxiety with a chronic illness?
How can you still find pockets of joy in times of pain?
This way, you can best set yourself up for success in the long-term by taking care of both your emotional and physical wellbeing.
How do I know you’ll be able to relate to my struggles?
Chronic illnesses can be very complicated, so it makes sense to want a therapist who understands you and has the skills to work with you. We have therapists who specialize in treating chronic illness survivors, and some of us even have personal experience navigating chronic health issues as well. When you sign up with us, we will make sure to match you with a therapist with whom you feel compatible.
I don't have the money for therapy.
Think of therapy as another essential part of your treatment plan - just like physical therapy or medication management. The coping skills and emotional support you gain can actually help you manage your physical symptoms more effectively and reduce the overall stress on your body.
We take insurance and many plans provide mental health benefits that can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
You're already investing so much in managing your physical health. You deserve support for your emotional wellbeing too.
Life With A Chronic Illness Can Feel Lonely,
But You Are Not Alone
You don't have to keep struggling in silence. Your pain is real, your struggles are valid, and you deserve support that truly understands what you're going through.
At Bright Light Counseling Center, our chronic illness therapists are here to help you regain control of your life - one manageable step at a time. You've been carrying this weight alone for too long.
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