Therapy for Health Issues and Chronic Illness

Over the years, as a therapist in Seattle and the greater Western Washington area, I’ve been lucky to work with a wide variety of clients from different backgrounds. As a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Therapist I work with many people struggling with reproductive health challenges such as endometriosis, fibroids, pelvic floor issues, menstruation challenges, abortion, infertility, pregnancy loss, and menopause. I’ve worked with clients managing conditions including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, POTs, IBS, Crohn’s, Lyme disease, diabetes, migraines, mobility challenges, high risk pregnancy, amputations, heart disease, gynecological issues, neurological disorders, degenerative diseases, and cancer. I also have experience in preparing clients for surgeries, procedures, and practicing self advocacy in medical settings.

Using my systemic, contextual lens and therapeutic theories such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Feminist Therapy and others, I help people like you navigate life’s inevitable challenges. ACT is a well researched and heavily peer reviewed treatment modality for chronic pain, progressive illness, and caregiver support. ACT is particularly well-suited to chronic illness because it doesn't ask you to think positively about something genuinely hard — it helps you build a meaningful life alongside the uncertainty. I bring a unique perspective as a person who’s been intimately involved in the medical system as a patient throughout my life and lives with multiple chronic health conditions.

One of the ultimate things you can’t fully control is your health. You can positively influence it, but your genetic and environmental card deck will ultimately decide what health issues you deal with during your lifetime. Therapy can help you accept the things you can’t control, identify your values, and learn to manage mental/emotional/physical pain that can impact your quality of life. Therapy can help you optimize your good days and manage the bad. This space can also help you deal with the secondary implication from coping with health concerns such as your relationships, your job, identify issues and more. Services can also help you prepare for a procedure or surgery that you’re nervous about.

I commonly work with family members and loved ones of people facing health challenges or chronic illness. Being a spouse, a parent, an adult child or friend, chances are you’ll help someone face a difficult health challenge during your life. It’s hard living in a human body, and it’s also hard to watch someone you care for suffering. When you hold space for others, you inherently give a part of yourself which can be draining over time. You may also be the person navigating scheduling appointments, billing, managing care, supplies, and more. You deserve support just as much as the person going through the medical challenges.

I often see the best outcomes for clients when their care team is able to communicate with one another. Of course, you have a right to privacy and if you don’t want this collaboration, that is your choice. I find it can be helpful to have open communication between providers. It’s very common for me to help clients with quality community referrals to find quality care. I’ve fortunately built a solid referral team within the city and wider area, so when you work with me you have access to my network as well. I can also work to help advocate for your needs when appropriate. I am not a doctor or nurse and cannot give treatment guidance or recommendations for physical healthcare.

Yes, I’ve accompanied clients to the hospital for surgery and was there when they got out of anesthesia. I’ve also visited multiple clients in the hospital during their stay. When appropriate, it can be beneficial for me to attend an appointment, procedure, or surgery with you. Reach out to discuss this service.

The most common chronic illnesses according to the CDC are heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. For women, it’s cardiovascular disease. The most common diseases I tend to work with in my practice disproportionally impact women such as MCAS, POTS, hEDS, and reproductive health issues.

Check out this blog post: A Comprehensive Guide to Therapy for Health Issues and Chronic Illness in Seattle.

Yes. Health anxiety can be an issue unto itself, but it can also be a response to medical trauma. Either way, I can help you build strategies to reduce anxiety, build resiliency and tackle care you may have been avoiding.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I come from a System’s background. This means that I see clients in a non-pathological, non-normative way within their context. Your context is created through your environment, your culture, your relationships and more. Understanding you as a unique person, including what your relationship is with your body and how you want it to be exist in a complex world, not in a vacuum. A systemic view helps us work for lasting change and wellbeing.

Check out this blog post: Therapy for Health Issues and Chronic Illness in Seattle: My Health Journey

I am not an eating disorder specialist. That said, many of my clients have disordered eating patterns, poor relationships with food and their bodies. This is a common theme addressed in therapy. I strongly believe in a health at every size and fat positive treatment approach. I’m a proud member of the Association for Size Diversity and Health. If you are experiencing a significant eating disorder and need treatment, I can provide appropriate referrals.