Chronic Illness Therapists in Nunavut
I work with individuals navigating chronic illness, injury recovery, perfectionism, burnout, and complex trauma, including attachment wounds and neglect.
I help clients recognize unhelpful patterns shaped by trauma, perfectionism, competitive environments, or chronic health challenges. Together, we explore what’s no longer working and build new ways of coping rooted in your values. I use CBT, ACT, somatic, and psychodynamic approaches to support meaningful, sustainable change.
I work with individuals navigating chronic illness, injury recovery, perfectionism, burnout, and complex trauma, including attachment wounds and neglect.
I help clients recognize unhelpful patterns shaped by trauma, perfectionism, competitive environments, or chronic health challenges. Together, we explore what’s no longer working and build new ways of coping rooted in your values. I use CBT, ACT, somatic, and psychodynamic approaches to support meaningful, sustainable change.
I help couples with difficulties in their relationships including emotional connection, intimacy, infidelity, blended family, and communication challenges. I also work with folks dealing with chronic pain and/or illness, trauma and/or abuse, and with the disabling challenges of anxiety and depression. Using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Dr. Janina Fisher Trauma Therapy, Level 3 Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy, I offer practical solutions and experiential learning, along with proven skills within a compassionate and respectful setting.
I help couples with difficulties in their relationships including emotional connection, intimacy, infidelity, blended family, and communication challenges. I also work with folks dealing with chronic pain and/or illness, trauma and/or abuse, and with the disabling challenges of anxiety and depression. Using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Dr. Janina Fisher Trauma Therapy, Level 3 Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy, I offer practical solutions and experiential learning, along with proven skills within a compassionate and respectful setting.
Islai is a Registered Social Worker who specializes in working with queer, trans, and genderdiverse folk who are struggling to connect with themselves and others. They also specialize in supporting neurodiverse individuals experiencing life transitions. Islai works from an anti-oppressive framework and offers sex-positive, kink-friendly, non-monogamous and polyamorous relationship counselling.
Islai is a Registered Social Worker who specializes in working with queer, trans, and genderdiverse folk who are struggling to connect with themselves and others. They also specialize in supporting neurodiverse individuals experiencing life transitions. Islai works from an anti-oppressive framework and offers sex-positive, kink-friendly, non-monogamous and polyamorous relationship counselling.
Many people feel lost in the rhythms and uncertainties of life. Feelings of emptiness, loneliness, hurt, confusion and anxiety can overwhelm our ability to live life deeply. Sometimes our usual patterns of living are no longer working. Other times sudden changes, such as world events, a loss, life transition, trauma, or a diagnosis swamp our emotional resources. The surfacing of past events such as abuse, grief, or accidents may stop us in our tracks. These are just some of the situations that can create barriers to living the life we want, and send us searching for deeper meaning, connection and belonging.
Many people feel lost in the rhythms and uncertainties of life. Feelings of emptiness, loneliness, hurt, confusion and anxiety can overwhelm our ability to live life deeply. Sometimes our usual patterns of living are no longer working. Other times sudden changes, such as world events, a loss, life transition, trauma, or a diagnosis swamp our emotional resources. The surfacing of past events such as abuse, grief, or accidents may stop us in our tracks. These are just some of the situations that can create barriers to living the life we want, and send us searching for deeper meaning, connection and belonging.
Chronic Illness Counsellors
How does therapy for chronic illness work?
Many people living with a chronic illness may feel they cannot speak honestly about their experience out of embarrassment or fear of being a burden, or because those close to them do not understand, for example, that they may “look good” even if they do not feel good. Therapy sessions are an opportunity to speak openly with someone who knows their symptoms are not in their head and who can offer practical, proven suggestions for managing feelings of grief, shame, or fatigue, such as techniques to challenge unhelpful thoughts about symptoms and develop new ways to respond to them, such as distraction or calming breathing practices.
Can therapy help with physical symptoms of chronic illness?
Yes, especially if an individual with chronic illness has developed depression. People with depression are less likely to maintain their health treatment regimens or to take positive steps to manage physical symptoms when they arise, thereby potentially complicating their medical prognosis. Treatment of depression, through talk therapy, medication, or both, will often improve one’s physical state as it eases the emotional burden of illness.
What are the most effective treatment options for chronic illness?
No one living with a chronic illness, or their loved ones, should see depression as an unavoidable result of their condition. Instead, they should actively seek treatment. Research shows that people with depression are less likely to devote the required time and effort to maintaining or monitoring their health, and so therapy to limit the risk of depression can be vital for physical health as well. Therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction have been found to help individuals reduce stress and anxiety.
How long does therapy for chronic illness take?
There is no set timeline for therapy for people living with chronic illnesses, but many will see a therapist for a number of weeks or months, typically spanning at least 12 weekly sessions. Some people feel that they experience progress faster than others but even some who quickly feel improvement may continue with sessions for months or years. Some people may benefit from maintenance therapy if their symptoms change or they experience a decline in physical health. Others find that the skills learned in short-term therapy can be used on an ongoing basis, even after therapy has concluded.