Illness Counseling

I work with individuals and families who are dealing with the feelings and issues surrounding chronic or other sudden illness. Together we will explore options on how to best deal with the related stress, unresolved feelings, changes in routine and the grief associated with the illness. Focus will be on stress management and practical strategies on how to move beyond coping with the illness and into thriving.

When friends or family members become sick, it becomes necessary for those that live with them, their friends, and others who know them to make adjustments. These adjustments might be minor ones, or may be major adjustments that require major lifestyle changes or changes in routine, especially for those closest to the person who has the illness, and for those who may become caregivers as a result of the illness.

Adjustments can be stressful, and many feelings will come up for both the sick person and those closest to him or her, especially initially when everyone is learning to cope with the new situation.

The person in poor health may have great difficulty adjusting to having chronic problems, especially if he or she had been quite healthy and independent prior to the onset of the illness or problem. Often the sick person will resent his or her situation and thus resent those who are there to care for him or her. So those feelings need to be addressed.

In addition, those who would become caregivers or just the sick person’s support system will have their own feelings of fear, resentment, sadness, stress, and more as they adjust to a new situation of being around and caring for, or making sure someone else is caring for, a loved one who is in poor health.

In allowing me to help you work through issues in this new situation, I can help address the feelings of all those involved, work to bring the stress levels down, and help create an environment that is best for everyone. If someone is sick, a good environment is essential for potential wellness, and it is essential for the wellness of all the others who are involved and related. I will help you learn how to accept the new situation where illness plays a big part, learn to see the issues as an opportunity for growth, and eventually a source of strength. We will explore many options for coping with that illness and move you into thriving.

Illness Counseling is one of many Healing Services that can be used in Individual Counseling, Depression Counseling, and/or Family Counseling, often using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.