chronic illness

Chronic health issues can significantly impact an individual's quality of life, affecting not only physical well-being but also mental and emotional health. Some of these include:

  • cancer

  • chronic fatigue (ME/CFS)

  • chronic pain and fibromyalgia

  • diabetes

  • heart disease

  • headaches and migraines

  • irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

  • multiple sclerosis (MS)

People with chronic illnesses often experience anxiety, depression, and stress related to their condition. Some physical illnesses also have a psychological component, meaning that physical symptoms worsen when a person is experiencing anxiety, depression, or stress.

Managing chronic illness often requires a multidisciplinary approach tailored to the individual's specific condition and needs, including strategies such as psychological treatment, medication, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and complementary therapies like acupuncture or massage.

Psychological treatment can help people to address the emotional impact of chronic illness, develop strategies for coping with physical symptoms, increase medical treatment adherence, and live a more meaningful life. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviours. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) helps people to be less reactive to their thoughts and feelings, and to find flexible ways to engage in meaningful activities. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) encourages people to be less reactive to thoughts and feelings in order to reduce stress.

At ClearStream Psychology, Dr. Rachel Martin and Dr. Shannon Jones have expertise in effective and compassionate treatment for chronic health issues. We perform a thorough assessment to explore your history and symptoms, and help you make sense of what you’re dealing with. Then we collaborate with you to develop a customized treatment plan that meets your unique needs and treatment goals using effective therapeutic strategies supported by research. With the right support and strategies, you can learn to cope with chronic pain and make meaningful improvements to your well-being.

Let us help you get back into the flow of life!