*Accepting New Clients In-Person In Austin & Virtually Across Texas*
*Accepting New Clients In-Person In Austin & Virtually Across Texas*
Living with chronic illness or chronic pain is hard and isolating. The people in your life might not know or understand the extent to which you're affected by it day in and day out. Even on your good days, you might be wondering when your next flare will be, taking you out of the present moment. Making plans far in advance could be something you don't do anymore to avoid having to cancel last minute.
Many people with chronic illness and chronic pain face constant invalidation. You might have tried to get diagnosed and have been dismissed by doctors. Maybe you've told friends/family/coworkers about your symptoms and they've suggested "Just google it!" or "Have you tried yoga?" You could be constantly checking subreddits hoping to find something that has helped others in your shoes. Maybe you've tried multiple medications, getting your hopes up each time just for it to not work out or introduce new debilitating side effects.
Common experiences of those living with chronic illness or chronic pain include:
In therapy, we can begin to untangle the emotional weight of living with chronic illness or chronic pain. We can process the grief, learn how to react compassionately when frustrations and limitations arise, and discover ways to find internal validation. Therapy for chronic illness or chronic pain also involves learning coping skills for anxiety, depression, and executive functioning. We can find ways to accommodate your needs and dismantle the stigma for using aids that can make your day to day more manageable. Reach out today to begin the journey of improving your relationship with your body in the face of chronic illness or chronic pain.
The Center for Chronic Illness offers free online support groups led by licensed mental health professionals, who have specialized training in working with the chronic illness population. Find the one right for you here.
There are many chronic illness and chronic pain support groups run by clinicians local to your area in Texas. To find out which ones are active and tailored to your needs, contact us and we can reach out to our therapist network to give you quicker, more up-to-date information!
Many books have been written about chronic illness. There are popular books that some people love and others hate. The same book that makes some people feel seen can also make others feel misunderstood. Keep that in mind while looking through the list below:
Arbor Branch Counseling, PLLC
5750 Balcones Dr., Suite 117 Austin, TX 78731