Chronic Illness & Pain Counselling

Navigate your health journey with confidence & self-trust.

Support to help you thrive while managing chronic illness and pain. Online counselling for individuals in Vancouver & across BC.

When your body isn't cooperating, everything feels harder.

Living with chronic illness or pain is a 24/7 reality—one that affects every aspect of your life. The constant adjustments, medical appointments, and energy rationing can leave you feeling disconnected from the life you thought you'd have.

    • Frustration when others don't understand your invisible symptoms or pain

    • Exhaustion from trying to explain or justify your experiences

    • Fear about your pain levels or symptoms getting worse

      Feeling dismissed or unheard by medical professionals

    • Grief over lifestyle changes and activities you can no longer do

    • Anxiety about managing work and relationships while dealing with symptoms

    • Isolation in navigating this challenging journey

    • Guilt about needing to rest or say no to things

    • Mental and emotional drain from constant pain or symptom management

    • Pressure to maintain certain roles or responsibilities despite your health challenges

    • Navigating different expectations around health, treatment, and recovery

    • Difficulty expressing your needs within your family or community

      You're here because you're seeking support from someone who understands that chronic illness and pain affect more than just your physical health—they impact your whole life, from relationships to work to how you see yourself.

Find ways to thrive while honouring your body's needs

My Approach

Living with chronic illness or persistent pain involves so much more than managing symptoms—it affects your relationships, work, identity, and how you move through the world. As someone who understands this journey personally, I recognize how overwhelming it can be to navigate both the practical and emotional aspects of ongoing health challenges.

Together, we'll create a space where you can explore all parts of your experience: the impact of persistent symptoms or pain, the grief over life changes, the frustration with medical systems, and the daily challenges of managing your health. I believe in honouring both your struggles and your resilience, acknowledging that both can exist simultaneously.

I understand that managing chronic illness or pain exists within the context of your whole life—including your relationships, work responsibilities, personal values, and family or cultural expectations around health and healing. We'll work together to find approaches that align with your needs and circumstances.

We'll work collaboratively to:

  • Develop strategies for managing health-related stress and anxiety

  • Explore the connection between emotional well-being and physical symptoms

  • Navigate relationships and communicate your needs effectively

  • Process grief and identity shifts that come with chronic conditions

  • Build confidence in advocating for yourself in medical settings

  • Create sustainable routines that respect your energy levels

  • Find ways to engage in meaningful activities while honouring your limits

  • Strengthen your relationship with your body through compassionate approaches

My goal is to help you feel more empowered in managing your health journey while building a life that feels meaningful and authentic to you.

Grief & Loss Counselling Can Help You...

  • Develop effective pain and symptom management strategies

  • Trust yourself and your body's signals more deeply

  • Create boundaries that honour your needs and energy levels

  • Navigate medical systems with confidence and self-advocacy skills

  • Process the emotional impact of your health journey

  • Build resilience for managing uncertainty and flare-ups

  • Find balance between rest and engagement

  • Maintain relationships while managing health challenges

  • Connect with your strength while honouring your limitations

Embrace your journey with self-compassion and understanding.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can therapy help with chronic illness and pain when it can't cure my condition?

While therapy can't cure chronic conditions, evidence-based approaches like mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) have been shown to decrease pain intensity for many people. Beyond symptom management, therapy provides strategies for processing emotions, reducing stress that can amplify pain, and navigating healthcare systems more effectively. Together, we'll work within your unique circumstances to help you feel more empowered in managing your health journey while building a meaningful life that honors both your limitations and your aspirations.

I'm struggling with both physical and emotional symptoms - how do you approach this?

The connection between physical and emotional well-being is complex, especially with chronic conditions and pain. I take a holistic approach that addresses both your body and mind through evidence-based techniques like mindfulness, somatic awareness practices, and cognitive-behavioral strategies for pain management. We'll work together to identify how physical symptoms trigger emotional responses and how emotions are held in the body, developing personalized coping tools that connect you with your body's signals while respecting your energy limitations and supporting your quality of life.

Everyone keeps telling me to 'stay positive' or 'try this cure' - how do I deal with this?

When people suggest that a positive attitude or lifestyle changes could cure your condition, it can feel like they're blaming you for your health challenges. These well-intentioned comments often minimize your experience and add emotional weight to your journey. I provide a space where you can express all your feelings—frustration, sadness, anger, hope—without judgment or pressure to "think positive." We'll work on setting boundaries and managing these conversations while preserving your energy and well-being.