Individual Therapy for Coping with Chronic Illness
Compassionate, Science-Guided Support for the Whole You
Chronic illness can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. We provide practical, compassionate therapy that helps you manage symptoms, reduce stress, and live more fully.
You’re Not Overreacting.
Many of our clients come to us after being dismissed or minimized by others; doctors, family members, even well-meaning friends. They’ve heard phrases like, “Just drink more water” or “Have you tried yoga?” too many times to count. Some are still seeking a diagnosis. Others have one, but it comes with more questions than answers.
Common conditions we work with include:
- POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)
- Autoimmune disorders
- Gastroparesis (Ulcerative Colitis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
- Chronic fatigue and pain syndromes
- Cancer and cancer survivorship
- Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS)
- Needle phobia
- Supporting caregivers of individuals with chronic conditions
- And more…
But more important than the label is how it’s affecting your life. Are you missing school or work? Are relationships strained? Are your goals or identity starting to feel out of reach?
Therapy can help.
What You Might Be Feeling
- Overwhelmed by a body that doesn’t do what you want it to
- Angry or grieving a loss of independence
- Frustrated with doctors, appointments, and medical gaslighting
- Anxious about the future or how long this will last
- Disconnected from peers who just don’t get it
- Pressured to keep pushing through, even when you’re exhausted
These feelings are not weaknesses. They are normal, human responses to extraordinarily hard circumstances. You don’t have to navigate them alone.
How Therapy Can Help
Our goal isn’t to eliminate the illness. It’s to help you live a life that feels meaningful with it.
We focus on:
- Coping Strategies: Tools for managing pain, fatigue, flares, and emotional stress
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Collaboratively exploring what’s working, what’s not, and what realistic changes might help
- Identity Support: Reconnecting with the parts of yourself that may have been lost or overshadowed by illness
- Medical Advocacy: Helping you find your voice in medical settings and navigate the healthcare system with confidence
- Emotional Processing: Validating the grief, anger, fear, and frustration that often come with chronic illness
We also understand that many of our clients are high-achieving, driven individuals who feel immense pressure to “do it all.” Part of our work may be helping you redefine what success looks like, and how to care for yourself in a way that aligns with your values, not others’ expectations.
What Therapy Looks Like
Therapy with us is not passive. It’s not just about venting or being told to “think positively.”
It’s about working together to:
- Make intentional choices that support your well-being
- Develop routines that honor your current energy levels while still helping you move towards your values
- Reframe unhelpful thought patterns
- Build resilience so that setbacks don’t keep you stuck
We use evidence-based approaches including:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Learn to live a rich, full life even in the presence of pain or uncertainty.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Understand the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and learn strategies to shift them.
And most importantly: we meet you where you are. No guilt. No unrealistic goals. Just support that makes sense for you.
Who We Work With
We see clients of all ages who are navigating chronic illness:
- Kids: Struggling to understand and cope with medical procedures and diagnoses
- Teens and Young Adults: Especially those dealing with college disruptions, social isolation, or the pressure to "keep up"
- Adults of All Ages: Managing careers, families, or relationships alongside illness
- Parents of Chronically Ill Children: Who need space to process, grieve, and plan
- Caregivers supporting individuals of any age with chronic medical conditions
In-person sessions are available in Bethesda, Maryland, and we offer virtual therapy across 42 states through the PSYPACT network.
"This message is so simple, yet it gets forgotten. The people living with the condition are the experts.”
- Michael J. Fox
Book a Free Consult
We offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to explore your goals, answer questions, and ensure we’re a good fit.
We’re here to support you. Contact Us Today to schedule your consultation.
Or fill out our secure contact form and we’ll be in touch within 48 hours.