Therapy for Chronic Health Conditions
If you’ve been struggling with a chronic health condition or months, years, or even decades, you know that it’s more than simply a physical problem.
By the time clients show up in our office, they’re usually exhausted. Not just from the chronic condition itself, but from the weight of everything that comes along with it: Endless doctors appointments where they’ve felt misunderstood or dismissed. Occasions with loved ones missed and career opportunities lost. The constant need to advocate for adequate care.
Living with a chronic health condition can be really hard on our mental health. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Our therapists are here to help lighten the load.
Health Conditions Our Therapists Can Help With
Chronic Pain
Reduce the frequency and intensity of pain episodes, and learn to manage flares more effectively.
Chronic Illness
Managing chronic health symptoms and their impact on your relationships, work, and well-being.
Long Covid
Supportive care for chronic fatigue, dysautonomia, brain fog, GI symptoms, and other post-COVID conditions.
New Disability
Adjusting to the lifestyle changes, identity issues, and grief that often accompany a new disability.
How can a therapist help with managing chronic health concerns?
Your health concerns are valid and real. But that doesn’t mean you don’t need mental health support. Stella Nova therapists help our clients reach goals like:
- Reducing the frequency, severity, or impact of flares
- Finding supportive community and connection
- Addressing shame, stigma, and ableism
- Advocating more effectively for healthcare or accommodations
- Processing grief, anger, and trauma
- Learn skills to manage anxiety and stress more effectively
- Functioning better at work or at home
- Improving your relationship with your body
- Reconnecting with the things that give life meaning and purpose
Meet Sage, Chronic Health Therapist
As part of your healthcare team, I believe that an effective approach has to address the mental, physical, and social impact that chronic conditions have on us. I use a trauma-informed, somatic approach to therapy to support your health holistically.
I view my work with chronic pain and illness through a disability justice lens. Therapy should be a safe place to address not only your symptoms, but to unpack how living with a chronic condition can impact our identity. Many of my clients are seeking support with experiences of ableism, bias, or discrimination at work or in their community.
Whether you’re facing a new diagnosis and not sure what to do next, or you’ve been struggling with pain for decades, I invite you to connect and see how I can help!
Inclusive care for chronic conditions
Chronic pain, illness, and disability don’t discriminate. Unfortunately, our access to culturally responsive healthcare does.
Stella Nova believes in an intersectional approach to mental healthcare, that takes into account all your identities and experiences—as well as the structural barriers that many of us are facing along the way. We specialize in support for women and LGBTQIA+ folks, with an emphasize on responsive care for BIPOC and immigrant communities.
Our intentionally diverse team has professional and lived experience with many of the communities we serve, including chronic . We are focused on building a healing space that reflects people—like us—who have been left out of the conversation when it comes to mental health.
Meet Justine, Chronic Health Therapist
As part of your healthcare team, I believe that an effective approach has to address the mental, physical, and social impact that chronic conditions have on us. I use a trauma-informed, somatic approach to therapy to support your health holistically.
I view my work with chronic pain and illness through a disability justice lens. Therapy should be a safe place to address not only your symptoms, but to unpack how living with a chronic condition can impact our identity. Many of my clients are seeking support with experiences of ableism, bias, or discrimination at work or in their community.
Whether you’re facing a new diagnosis and not sure what to do next, or you’ve been struggling with pain for decades, I invite you to connect and see how I can help!
Convenient, Accessible Online Therapy
At Stella Nova, you can access support online from the comfort and convenience of your home—without sacrificing quality care. Online therapy is convenient for many clients, but it can be particularly helpful for chronic health patients whose symptoms can make planning or traveling to an in-person appointment difficult.
If you’re struggling with a chronic condition and ready to make a change, we invite you to learn more by scheduling a consultation today. During your free, 20-minute call, our intake specialist will ask some questions about what you’re looking for and the goals you’re working on. She’s also available to answer any questions you might have about therapy at Stella Nova. We’ll match you with a therapist who is a great fit for your goals and needs.
Stella Nova is currently offering services online throughout California and New York via secure video.
Are you curious about connecting with a Stella Nova therapist?
Contact us for a free 20-minute phone consultation to see how we can help you!
It’s free, friendly, and 100% no obligation to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can therapy actually improve a chronic health condition? Or just help me cope with it?
Therapy can do both! It helps improve outcomes for physical health conditions and can help you cope with the stress living with a chronic condition can create. That’s because our physical and mental health aren’t actually as separate as we like to think; they can influence each other directly and indirectly. For example, managing stress can reduce pain and inflammation. Likewise, addressing medical anxiety or trauma can help clients participate in their care or stop avoiding useful treatments.
Therapy is (usually) not a “cure” for chronic health concerns. However, it can help you improve your overall quality of life—and isn’t that the most important thing?
What types of therapy do you offer?
Depending on the therapist you work with, we offer a variety of therapeutic styles and approaches. For example, our therapists are trained in a range of approaches, including somatic therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), narrative therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Committment therapy (ACT), and more. If you have a particular type of therapy you’re interested in, let us know during your free consultation and so we can match you with someone who is a great fit!
What other services does Stella Nova offer?
What does therapy cost?
Our individual sessions for chronic health conditions currently start at $210 per hour. We are a private clinic and are not in-network with insurance, but we can provide you with superbills to submit for out-of-network reimbursement upon request. Learn more about that process here.
How will you match me with a therapist?
Our free, 20-minute phone consultation is a chance to speak with a Stella Nova Intake Specialist. She’ll ask some questions to learn about your needs and preferences, and make a recommendation for the best match. As a small, independent clinic, our Intake Specialists work closely with all of the therapists, so they can make a truly personalized match for you.
