Your Diagnosis Doesn't Define You
AVAILABLE ONLINE ACROSS CALIFORNIA
Therapy for Medical Trauma
and
Chronic Illnes
Has your life been upended by a medical trauma?
Maybe a recent diagnosis has left you struggling to recognize yourself, feeling more angry and less motivated. Or perhaps you have become overwhelmed by all of the information you are finding on the internet. You may have had an unsettling experience during a procedure or surgery that still haunts you. Or maybe you are struggling to figure out what to do next, who to tell, and how to find support. And maybe you are simply feeling overpowered by grief for the life you had imagined for yourself. You may be feeling disappointed and ashamed that your own body seems to have turned against you.
These feelings have started interfering with your life in many ways:
You are so distracted, you aren’t able keep up with work
You are feeling disconnected from loved ones who never seem to say the right thing
You are so overwhelmed you don’t know what to do next
Whatever it is that you are (or are not) feeling: it is perfectly okay, and it is welcome here.
Therapy for medical diagnoses | chronic illness can help
It may feel impossible now, but you can make peace with your diagnosis. You can feel more in control of your health. You can create a fulfilling and joyful life. And I can help you get there.
Therapy for chronic illness can help you do 3 things:
Take the time to process all of the feelings you are having about your illness and how it will affect the life you imagined for yourself.
1.
Carefully examine the values and beliefs you may have inherited from your family and surrounding culture(s) that influence how you feel about illness and (dis)ability and may be limiting your ability to thrive.
2.
Develop the skills you need to advocate for your needs and get the support you deserve.
3.
I’ll help through this process, tailoring each step to your unique needs and circumstances. My approach to therapy for chronic illness comes from a place of confidence that you have the ability to make peace with your diagnosis and take control of your medical care and your life.
I can help you move towards a place of acceptance and purpose
What you need to know about therapy for medical trauma and chronic illness
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We meet weekly for 50 minute sessions via video. During our first few sessions, we'll get to know each other, make sure we're a good fit, and decide on some goals for working together. After that, I check in regularly to make sure we're working on issues that are important to you in ways that feel productive and safe. Questions and feedback are always welcome. Every once in a while you might get to see my lab mix, Roscoe, but that’s only if he feels camera ready.
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Well, that’s mostly up to you to be honest. I believe that you know what’s best for you and I’m here to support you in finding it. Everyone is different and their time in therapy can differ for a variety of reasons. Many clients attend therapy for 1-2 years.
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While there are no guarantees, we take great care and intention in exploring how your chronic illness is affecting your life from the internal to the external. Not only do we peel back layers of how grief and anxiety specifically manifests for you, we also work collaboratively to create tools that help you slow down and bring continued awareness to your experience and learn how to navigate your emotional states.
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I love therapy! But I’m not going to tell you that you NEED therapy. I will say most people who choose to go to therapy are happy with their decision, especially those who take the time to find the right therapist. If it turns out, I am not the right fit for you, I can help you find someone who is.
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I’m so glad you asked! First, click the button below “Schedule a free consultation” to book our initial call. During our call together, we’ll have a short conversation about what your current needs are, answer any additional questions you might have, and overall get a chance to see if we’re a good fit.