Chronic Illness Counselling in B5
Kathleen Lo
Psychotherapist, MSc, MBABCP
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Birmingham B5 (Online Only)
Life can be difficult at times and it can lead us feeling overwhelmed. You may not want to share your feelings or problems with friends or family, and this might be because you don’t want them to worry or you are unsure about whether they will understand what you are going through. It does not mean you have to go through your difficulties alone. Counselling is a journey of self-discovery and it can facilitate positive change. It can be a form of self-care to help to understand yourself better and to allow yourself to live the life that you want and achieve the things you thought you won’t be able to do.
Life can be difficult at times and it can lead us feeling overwhelmed. You may not want to share your feelings or problems with friends or family, and this might be because you don’t want them to worry or you are unsure about whether they will understand what you are going through. It does not mean you have to go through your difficulties alone. Counselling is a journey of self-discovery and it can facilitate positive change. It can be a form of self-care to help to understand yourself better and to allow yourself to live the life that you want and achieve the things you thought you won’t be able to do.
Jay Rai
Counsellor, MBACP Accred
Verified Verified
Birmingham B5
We all need someone to talk to, and to be heard. I provide counselling to individuals in a safe, relaxed environment where we explore any issues you bring to the session together. My counselling experience is very diverse and I have supported a range of clients in various settings. I follow a person centred approach being very client focused, with the ability to adapt to other counselling models, which will be unique to each person.
We all need someone to talk to, and to be heard. I provide counselling to individuals in a safe, relaxed environment where we explore any issues you bring to the session together. My counselling experience is very diverse and I have supported a range of clients in various settings. I follow a person centred approach being very client focused, with the ability to adapt to other counselling models, which will be unique to each person.
Adela R Moldovan
Psychotherapist, PsychD, MBACP
Verified Verified
Birmingham B5
My clinical experience encompasses many years working in a mental health setting and private practice dealing with a broad range of symptoms including, but not limited to, chronic trauma, loss or abuse, stress, anxiety, depression, marital difficulties, child-parent conflicts, self-harm, bi-polar disorder, addiction and border-line states – to name just some of the presenting issues.
My clinical experience encompasses many years working in a mental health setting and private practice dealing with a broad range of symptoms including, but not limited to, chronic trauma, loss or abuse, stress, anxiety, depression, marital difficulties, child-parent conflicts, self-harm, bi-polar disorder, addiction and border-line states – to name just some of the presenting issues.
Cheryl Livesey
Psychotherapist, MSc, MUKCP
Verified Verified
Birmingham B5
I currently have daytime availability for couples seeking therapy and therapists (qualified or trainee) needing supervision. I have some Monday availability for short-term therapy clients. I am a supervisor offering supervision to trainee and qualified psychotherapists and counsellors (or other healthcare/training professionals). I trained at the Centre for Supervision and Team Development (CSTD-Bath), which is the home of the seven-eyed model of supervision. I provide individual and group supervision, as well as offering supervision of supervision for trainee or qualified supervisors.
I currently have daytime availability for couples seeking therapy and therapists (qualified or trainee) needing supervision. I have some Monday availability for short-term therapy clients. I am a supervisor offering supervision to trainee and qualified psychotherapists and counsellors (or other healthcare/training professionals). I trained at the Centre for Supervision and Team Development (CSTD-Bath), which is the home of the seven-eyed model of supervision. I provide individual and group supervision, as well as offering supervision of supervision for trainee or qualified supervisors.
See more therapy options for B5
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.