Chronic Pain and Invisible Illnesses

Do you feel exhausted from managing constant pain that others can’t see or fully understand? Are frustration, grief, or isolation weighing on you as symptoms limit your daily life, relationships, or sense of self? Do negative thoughts about your body, future, or worth creep in during flares, leaving you feeling stuck or defeated? Are you ready to live more fully alongside your chronic condition—with greater emotional ease, validation, and hope?

Living with chronic pain or an invisible illness—such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, POTS, fibromyalgia, or other persistent conditions—can be profoundly draining. The physical symptoms are relentless, but the emotional and psychological toll often feels just as heavy, especially when the pain is “invisible” to others.You may be experiencing:

• Frustration, anger, or exhaustion from unrelenting symptoms and fatigue
• Grief or sadness over lost energy, mobility, activities, or the life you once imagined
• Guilt, shame, or self-blame for “not doing enough” or letting others down
• Anxiety about flare-ups, the future, or not being believed
• Isolation when people minimize or don’t understand what you’re going through
• Hopelessness or helplessness that things might never improve
• Negative beliefs about yourself—feeling broken, weak, or unworthy of support
• Rumination on past invalidation or worries about what’s next
• Overwhelm trying to balance symptoms, work, relationships, and self-care

It is possible to find peace, resilience, and meaning even with chronic pain or an invisible illness. Therapy offers a compassionate space to process these challenges and build practical tools for living well.

I can help you:

• Identify triggers for emotional distress (like flares or invalidating moments) and develop healthier coping strategies
• Gently challenge negative beliefs about your body, worth, or future that amplify suffering
• Process grief and loss related to health changes while honoring what still matters to you
• Build mindfulness and body-awareness skills to ease stress-related pain amplification and improve regulation
• Strengthen communication for setting boundaries, seeking support, and advocating for your needs
• Cultivate empowerment through small, meaningful steps toward better quality of life and self-compassion
• Use evidence-based approaches like CBT to reframe pain-related thoughts, MBSR for present-moment acceptance, and Solution-Focused techniques to highlight your strengths and progress

If you’re living with chronic pain or an invisible illness—feeling frustrated, grieving, isolated, or overwhelmed—your experiences are valid, and you don’t have to face them alone. Reach out today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward greater ease, validation, and hope. Contact me to begin this supportive journey together.