
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.
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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.