THERAPY FOR COPING WITH MEDICAL ILLNESS

in-person in Chicago & Northbrook, IL & online in 39 states

Illness | Mental Health | Mind-Body

Specialists in the interaction between physical and emotional health for adults with acute, chronic and terminal illness and their family members.

Has a medical illness caused disruption in your life?

Has your doctor told you that your physical symptoms are related to stress?

Is a new medical diagnosis or treatment regimen feeling overwhelming? Perhaps you completed your medical treatment and the emotions are now “catching up” with you.  You might have a history of a medical concern and now find yourself worrying about your health too much of the time. Do you have a chronic medical illness that is challenging to adapt to? Or maybe a health issue now requires lifestyle changes that you cannot seem to make on your own.

We have the expertise in Health Psychology to help if you:

  • Have been diagnosed with a new medical illness

  • Are living with a chronic medical illness

  • Are undergoing or completed medical treatment and want to feel more like yourself again

  • Worry about your health all of the time

  • Avoid medical care due to fear

  • Are fed up with feeling misunderstood by your medical providers

  • Are caring for a loved one with a medical illness

You’d like to leave this behind:

    • Anger and/or sadness about the changes to your body, capabilities, & life

    • Feeling distracted at work and at home due to worry, physical symptoms, or side effects of your treatment

    • Spending hours going down internet “rabbit holes” to research medical symptoms

    • Feeling the urge to contact your medical doctor frequently to be reassured you are ok

    • Guilt and worry about illness if you do not follow a healthy lifestyle perfectly

    • Worry about your future health

    • Worry about the health and safety of love ones

    • Loss of trust in your body

    • Struggling to take your medications consistently or follow medical recommendations

Schedule a free consultation

We are experienced Health Psychologists, and we can help you…


  • Better understand the interaction between your physical and emotional health

  • Learn tools and strategies that can increase physical and emotional comfort

  • Develop an empowered relationship with uncertainty

  • Gain confidence in your body and your ability to cope with whatever comes your way

  • Make choices that help you feel more in control of your health behaviors and relationships

  • Find realistic ways to change behavior


It’s time to accept and embrace your body for what it CAN do. 

 Let’s work toward it together!

Let’s work to help you:

  • Feel supported and respected for your unique experience

  • Appreciate your body

  • Feel greater security with your health

  • Free up mental space to focus on what you love & enjoy

  • Make the most of what your body CAN do

Embrace the health you have and trust your body again.

We’re here to help you.

FAQS

Common questions about therapy for people with medical illness

  • Health psychology or behavioral medicine is a type of psychology that focuses on the mind-body connection. Sometimes therapy helps to process the emotions associated with medical illness and sometimes it helps to create or integrate new behaviors and adaptations to medical illness. Therapy for medical illness can help to manage pain more effectively or manage stress that exacerbates physical symptoms.

  • Everyone has stress. But there are times when stress is too high or stays high for too long and it starts to negatively impact physical health. Chronic stress can lead to cardiovascular problems, lowered immune functioning, and contribute to insomnia. Many illnesses, such as GI disorders, headaches, and muscle pain are exacerbated by stress. Managing stress more effectively can help reduce physical symptoms.

  • Often times, people are very aware of the healthy behaviors they are “supposed to” engage in, such as diet, exercise, meditation or adherence to a certain medical regimen. But sometimes we struggle with the motivation. Health Psychology can help to identify and modify the barriers that keep you from engaging in healthy behaviors so that you can live your best life.

  • Therapy is fully confidential, so we’ll decide together if collaborating with your medical team would benefit your care. When we decide it will be helpful, I am happy to consult with your medical provider with your written consent and do so frequently for my clients.