Chronic Pain or Illness

Chronic illness and pain are often invisible to those about us, causing us to suffer in isolation. Those who are aware often don't understand, and aren't curious to learn. Wild Foxgloves understands and sees your suffering, and is also open to learning from you. We also invite you into the story that your body tells. In the Western Hemisphere we think of the body and mind as separate, but research tells another story.

Not unlike my education regarding LGBTQ issues, my family life brought me to understand the challenges of chronic pain and illness. I would have much rather learned this through formal education, readings or seminars, but unfortunately I was enrolled in the school of hard knocks. While I don't want to share too much detail online, I'm particularly focused and supportive of the challenges of "long haulers" or long-COVID/PASC, cancer and autoimmune disorders.

The mind and the body are connected in in a deep way. What happens in our bodies affect the mind and vice versa. I use my knowledge of the mind-body connection to help clients develop skills and self-compassion. My background is in medical social work and I also have lived experience of chronic illness. Together, these experiences give me knowledge of navigating health care systems from both perspectives.

Living with illness, disability, and/or chronic pain can leave you feeling isolated as you navigate changing relationships, medical care, stretched finances, grief for what's been lost, fear about the future, experiences of invisibility/hypervisibility, and anger about how you've been treated. I work from a Disability Justice model, grappling with the ways in which our world often fails to provide accommodation and access, and how our lives become shaped by that lack of care and recognition.

Chronic pain and pain neuroscience is an area I have worked in for the past 20 years. I have training in mindfulness based approaches, CBT, ACT and Empowered Relief. The behavioral treatment of chronic pain or illness can be very effective at returning to living well with suffering. I help people return to the core values of what gives their lives meaning. I believe in making life bigger, and finding joy where you can.

Are you living with a chronic illness or endless enduring pain? have you just received a new diagnosis for a illness you are trying to wrap your head aroud? I love to talk with folks about their feelings around illness.

Managing chronic illness as a woman comes with unique challenges, and I specialize in providing empathetic support. In our collaborative journey, we develop coping strategies and a personalized approach to enhance your overall well-being. With a focus on resilience, I guide you in navigating the complexities of living with chronic conditions. Together, we'll empower you to thrive and find joy despite the challenges that chronic illness may bring.

Pain can cause you to limit social engagements, avoid meet new people and fear things that used to bring you pleasure. It can sometimes feel like a terrible game of which came first, the chicken or the egg. Stress tenses your muscles and can create a flare up of symptoms… but the our bodies naturally respond to pain with fear. When you’re living with a chronic condition finding a way with pain that allows you to live a meaningful and full life is a necessity.

My background in working with adults with developmental disabilities, my education in ethics, and then my own experiences within the healthcare system shaped my enthusiasm for working with people who have chronic pain and illness. I bring an integrative approach and have found particular success with using EMDR and ego state work in supporting people with chronic health conditions including pain.

During graduate school I spent a year working on a chronic pain unit of a hospital. I became acutely aware of what it is like to navigate through an ableist world with a disability. I help clients grieve the loss of ability with compassion and make peace as they adjust to their new reality.

Chronic illness and pain are often invisible to those about us, causing us to suffer in isolation. Those who are aware often don't understand, and aren't curious to learn. Wild Foxgloves understands and sees your suffering, and is also open to learning from you. We also invite you to into the story that your body tells. In the Western Hemisphere we think of the body and mind as separate, but research tells another story.

Living with illness, disability, and/or chronic pain can leave you feeling isolated as you navigate changing relationships, medical care, stretched finances, grief for what's been lost, fear about the future, experiences of invisibility/hypervisibility, and anger about how you've been treated. I work from a Disability Justice model, grappling with the ways in which our world often fails to provide accommodation and access, and how our lives become shaped by that lack of care and recognition.

I have extensive personal and professional experience with chronic pain/illness and have deep regard for the experiencers and caregivers dealing with the challenges that accompany.

Living with illness, disability, and/or chronic pain can leave you feeling isolated as you navigate changing relationships, medical care, stretched finances, grief for what's been lost, fear about the future, experiences of invisibility/hypervisibility, and anger about how you've been treated. I work from a Disability Justice model, grappling with the ways in which our world often fails to provide accommodation and access, and how our lives become shaped by that lack of care and recognition.

I have helped hundreds of clients who are actively suffering from chronic pain, chronic illnesses, and debilitating disabilities. Coming-to-terms with your physical struggles, learning how to navigate life with them, and finding your personal strengths all are very useful ways to beat the depression and anxiety that these issues cause. Good therapy can help.

As an individual who lives with chronic pain and illness, I understand the struggle of finding people who "get it". There is a very specific type of experience that comes with chronic illness and the frustration of not having a compassionate space to land can be overwhleming.

I completed a post-doctoral fellowship in treating chronic pain and worked for several years in a multidisciplinary orthopedic clinic. I have created and supervised chronic pain rotations for psychology trainees. I do Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for pain.

I am here to validate that your pain is real, and I can help you learn about the incredible mind-body connection. Whether you're experiencing anxiety or depression from chronic pelvic/sexual pain, trauma, or other life stressors, I'm here to help normalize your experiences and provide evidence based strategies to help you achieve your goals.

Chronic illness, fatigue, and/or pain can be incredibly overwhelming, and isolating. Do you find yourself stressing over self-care, feeling unsupported by loved ones, struggling to balance work, rest, relationships and your passions? Do you feel fragmented from your sense of self and the things that bring you joy? You are not alone! Through mindfulness techniques, nervous system support, and expressive art practices I hope to support you in experiencing more ease, joy, and wellbeing in your life