Living with Chronic Pain & Illness

Chronic pain or illness can be isolating, all-encompassing experiences that derail your sense of purpose and meaning in life.

Chronic illness and pain can be painful physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. They can impact your ability to work, parent, socialize, eat, and sleep. They can rob you of joy, pleasure, and laughter. They can bring on feelings of anger, sadness, fear, worry, shame, and vulnerability. At the same time, your stress, emotions, and mood can intensify your pain and illness experience. 

Amid all this pain and uncertainty, it might seem like no one believes you or understands how hard it is to live this way. You might also begin to doubt your own experience. 

It is important to understand that your pain and illness experience is real. 

I work with people living with:

  • fibromyalgia
  • chronic low back, neck, or shoulder pain
  • post-surgical pain
  • post-concussion syndrome
  • arthritis
  • cancer (active and in remission)
  • endometriosis
  • motor vehicle injuries/traumatic injuries
  • complex regional pain syndrome

How I can help

Our work together will focus on what you need. This means we might spend time:

  • learning about your pain or illness story
  • understanding your diagnosis or lack of diagnosis
  • exploring the ways pain or illness has changed your life
  • reducing fear-based avoidance of tasks and activities that seem impossible
  • identifying what is important to you and how you want to live your life
  • processing grief, depression, or anxiety
  • learning about the protective aspect of your pain responses 
  • learning to feel safe with your emotions and your pain or illness experience
  • finding meaning in a renewed identity
  • learning how to regulate and create a better relationship with your nervous system
  • finding ways to support your advocacy in the healthcare system

I often draw from acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), pain science and theory, mindfulness, and self-compassion principles to support you on your journey. 

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