Psychotherapy that promotes empowerment and resiliency.
Coping with Chronic Medical Illness in Philadelphia and the Main Line
Become more comfortable with uncertainty and feel more grounded.
Sound like you?
Managing a chronic illness on top of everything else feels like a full-time job, not to mention the emotional ups and downs.
I’m here for you.
Being diagnosed with a chronic medical condition can be jarring. Perhaps you are someone who has been recently diagnosed and are having a difficult time adapting to this new version of life, while still managing all the day to day responsibilities of being a spouse, parent, worker, friend or caregiver. It can feel like your world has been turned upside down. You may feel stressed as you figure out how to navigate all these new doctor appointments and wonder how you can possibly handle it all. Perhaps you feel emotions you never felt before. You find yourself thinking about your mortality and asking yourself questions about your time here on earth. You know there is a part of you that wants support from your family and friends, but another part of you doesn’t want to be a burden.
You don’t need to let your illness define you. It’s time to take back control.
Facing illness head-on can lead to increased resilience and greater life satisfaction.
Chronic medical conditions impact our lives in many ways.
They bring about disruptions in our routine and often require lifestyle changes that can be challenging. Depending on the illness, it can also be accompanied by grief of your pre-diagnosis life and grief over how you envisioned your future unfolding and the plans you had made. You may learn who really are, and are not, there for you to support you. You may find it stressful navigating the healthcare system. Increased medical appointments, coupled with decreased ability to work, can lead to financial strain. Previous demands continue, and suddenly you have more demands. Your priorities have changed. Some people go from feeling like a valued member of society to feeling unworthy. Your world can feel uncertain, unpredictable, and out of control.
How I can help
Go from feeling …
overwhelmed and stressed
alone and isolated
helpless and a sense of avoidance
worried and anxious
angry and resentful
over-accomodating of others
Psychotherapy for Individuals coping with a chronic medical condition
To …
learning coping strategies and gaining control
finding support in the way you want it
feeling empowered with greater ability to problem-solve
feeling more calm and self-assured
embracing acceptance
prioritizing yourself and setting clear boundaries
Health psychology helps pave a path toward wellness
You will have a space that is just for you, to share your emotions without judgement. I will work with you to understand the obstacles you face in handling your day to day struggles, and to learn to overcome them. Together we will explore your personal goals and find ways to increase motivation and keep going. Through our work together we will find ways to improve your healthy habits and promote lifestyle change by evaluating the intersection of health and behavior. In sessions with me, we will find tangible ways to function better at home and at work, and thus improve your quality of life.
Feel empowered, stronger and more resilient.
Imagine if you could …
find time to share your thoughts and worries and get what you are feeling off your chest
learn to better cope with your stress
more easily set boundaries and put yourself and your needs first
ask for help and not feel guilty about it
be more present and engaged with family and friends rather than feel distracted and always thinking about your health
frequently asked questions
-
As a licensed Health Psychologist, I specialize in helping individuals manage medical conditions by considering the connection between mind and body. Together, we'll explore the psychological factors influencing your choices, identify obstacles to your physical health, and focus on motivation to reduce risks, enhance treatment adherence, and make healthier decisions. While we can't change your diagnosis, we can work together to promote a healthier lifestyle and improve your quality of life. If you would like, I can also collaborate with your physician.
-
Some of the medical conditions I work with include cancer, heart disease, hypertension, autoimmune disease, diabetes, respiratory illnesses and patients recovering from a stroke.
-
In therapy, we may focus on goals such as helping you cope with a new or existing diagnosis, managing physical symptoms, improving lifestyle habits like sleep, nutrition, and exercise, processing emotions such as anxiety, depression, and stress, and enhancing communication with loved ones and your medical team. To achieve these goals, we may work on areas like stress management, mindfulness, and improving coping and problem-solving skills.
-
Yes, chronic illness is often a lifelong diagnosis. As such, it often is accompanied by emotional distress. Psychotherapy helps individuals to understand and manage their emotions, learn coping strategies and problem-solving skills to manage daily challenges at home and at work, and incorporate lifestyle modifications to improve overall health.
