Chronic Illness Therapists in 94134
Ruby Estrada
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94134
Hello. My name is Ruby Estrada. I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I approach therapy at your pace, which I can follow or match with rather quickly. My focus is centered on you and building whatever strengths you put forth whether you are aware of them or not. I help someone find a way to get through a problem or conflict, this is my approach. I am straightforward when you need me to be and gentle when the situation calls for empathy, or a balance of both. For 21 years, I have treated depression, anxiety, PTSD, LGBTQ+-related issues, ADHD, and adults finding themselves on the Autism Spectrum.
Hello. My name is Ruby Estrada. I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I approach therapy at your pace, which I can follow or match with rather quickly. My focus is centered on you and building whatever strengths you put forth whether you are aware of them or not. I help someone find a way to get through a problem or conflict, this is my approach. I am straightforward when you need me to be and gentle when the situation calls for empathy, or a balance of both. For 21 years, I have treated depression, anxiety, PTSD, LGBTQ+-related issues, ADHD, and adults finding themselves on the Autism Spectrum.
Jacqueline Miranda
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94134
Hello! My name is Jacqueline Miranda, I'm an LMFT and I have been working in the field 8 years. Some of my areas of focus include working with couples, individuals, and children utilizing a trauma informed approach. I primarily work with children, and I am also comfortable working with adults struggling with depression, anxiety and trauma. My approach tends to be person centered, trauma focused, and humanistic.
Hello! My name is Jacqueline Miranda, I'm an LMFT and I have been working in the field 8 years. Some of my areas of focus include working with couples, individuals, and children utilizing a trauma informed approach. I primarily work with children, and I am also comfortable working with adults struggling with depression, anxiety and trauma. My approach tends to be person centered, trauma focused, and humanistic.
Allison Gentz
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94134
Hi there, Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Allison Gentz, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I am currently licensed in California, Arizona, and Nevada with over 12 years of experience working as a therapist and social worker. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, ADHD, substance abuse, trauma, autism, and development delays, foster care, and the jail/prison population. I have also helped many people who have experienced physical trauma or emotional abuse.
Hi there, Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Allison Gentz, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I am currently licensed in California, Arizona, and Nevada with over 12 years of experience working as a therapist and social worker. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, ADHD, substance abuse, trauma, autism, and development delays, foster care, and the jail/prison population. I have also helped many people who have experienced physical trauma or emotional abuse.
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Chronic Illness Therapists
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 behavioral 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.