Chronic Illness Therapists in Chicago, IL
Life is fluid: dark, light, beautiful, yet absurd. While things around us change, it’s easy to feel both trapped in situations and whirling out of control. Regardless of who you are, this is a universal human experience. With that being said, each one of us possesses a unique soul, a unique life story, and a unique drive towards self-actualization. Therapy can be a space to honor that. As a therapist, I think of myself as a companion. I walk with you through darkness and through light, and help you find your path and promote confidence in the way you walk.
Life is fluid: dark, light, beautiful, yet absurd. While things around us change, it’s easy to feel both trapped in situations and whirling out of control. Regardless of who you are, this is a universal human experience. With that being said, each one of us possesses a unique soul, a unique life story, and a unique drive towards self-actualization. Therapy can be a space to honor that. As a therapist, I think of myself as a companion. I walk with you through darkness and through light, and help you find your path and promote confidence in the way you walk.
Life is full of “shoulds.” Family, friends, and society often have a very clear idea of the path we’re supposed to be on, but we believe that peace and empowerment lie in finding your own path- worrying less about the expectations of others and more about what you want your life to look like. Taking an alternative path or changing route along the way is difficult. Therapy can help as you strive to be true to yourself on the journey. We offer a space where individuals learn to utilize their personal strengths to live their most meaningful lives, develop fulfilling relationships, and find true liberation.
Life is full of “shoulds.” Family, friends, and society often have a very clear idea of the path we’re supposed to be on, but we believe that peace and empowerment lie in finding your own path- worrying less about the expectations of others and more about what you want your life to look like. Taking an alternative path or changing route along the way is difficult. Therapy can help as you strive to be true to yourself on the journey. We offer a space where individuals learn to utilize their personal strengths to live their most meaningful lives, develop fulfilling relationships, and find true liberation.
Now accepting new clients!
There’s a kind of pain that’s easy to ignore—until you can’t anymore. Maybe you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure why part of you still doesn’t feel safe. These aren’t flaws—they’re signs of a nervous system that learned to survive.
What would it be like to feel safe within yourself? To assert healthy boundaries? To have an inner voice rooted in self-compassion? Therapy won’t erase what you’ve experienced, but it can lessen its hold. It can give language to what once felt unspeakable. Together, we can explore how your past lives on in your present-day experiences, relationships, and beliefs.
Now accepting new clients!
There’s a kind of pain that’s easy to ignore—until you can’t anymore. Maybe you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure why part of you still doesn’t feel safe. These aren’t flaws—they’re signs of a nervous system that learned to survive.
What would it be like to feel safe within yourself? To assert healthy boundaries? To have an inner voice rooted in self-compassion? Therapy won’t erase what you’ve experienced, but it can lessen its hold. It can give language to what once felt unspeakable. Together, we can explore how your past lives on in your present-day experiences, relationships, and beliefs.
As a queer, disabled, fat person, mar is invested in recognizing and supporting all the complex facets of each person. Æ is most interested in offering support to QTBIPOC individuals, disabled/chronically ill individuals and people in non-traditional relationships. They also want to support anyone questioning their identities and anyone aiming to understand how their intersecting identities influence one another. mar has experience working with queer folks who have different racialized backgrounds and is not afraid to talk about the harder topics and experiences - including how æ being white can impact the therapeutic relationship.
As a queer, disabled, fat person, mar is invested in recognizing and supporting all the complex facets of each person. Æ is most interested in offering support to QTBIPOC individuals, disabled/chronically ill individuals and people in non-traditional relationships. They also want to support anyone questioning their identities and anyone aiming to understand how their intersecting identities influence one another. mar has experience working with queer folks who have different racialized backgrounds and is not afraid to talk about the harder topics and experiences - including how æ being white can impact the therapeutic relationship.
Chronic Disease Support: Living with a chronic illness can be overwhelming for you and your family.
Are depression, anxiety, panic, or fears keeping you from reaching your goals? For over 30 years I have helped people like you in a comfortable, supportive environment where you can feel truly understood.
Areas of Focus –
Depression and anxiety
Chronic disease management
Nicotine/tobacco cessation
Personal, relationship, and work-related challenges
Chronic Disease Support: Living with a chronic illness can be overwhelming for you and your family.
Are depression, anxiety, panic, or fears keeping you from reaching your goals? For over 30 years I have helped people like you in a comfortable, supportive environment where you can feel truly understood.
Areas of Focus –
Depression and anxiety
Chronic disease management
Nicotine/tobacco cessation
Personal, relationship, and work-related challenges
Today, I work with adults navigating grief and loss, chronic illness, infertility, parenting stress (particularly around neurodivergence), identity exploration, and major life transitions.
I believe that it’s the quality of the therapeutic relationship that makes therapy work. Something special happens when we allow ourselves to be witnessed, accepted, and seen by another person. I am privileged to be that witness every day. I listen to stories and silences: the words spoken aloud alongside the spaces between the words: that which is unspoken. In addition to being a therapist, I’m also a writer. Whether spoken aloud, scribbled onto the page of a journal, or silently rehearsed in our minds, the words we use matter.
Today, I work with adults navigating grief and loss, chronic illness, infertility, parenting stress (particularly around neurodivergence), identity exploration, and major life transitions.
I believe that it’s the quality of the therapeutic relationship that makes therapy work. Something special happens when we allow ourselves to be witnessed, accepted, and seen by another person. I am privileged to be that witness every day. I listen to stories and silences: the words spoken aloud alongside the spaces between the words: that which is unspoken. In addition to being a therapist, I’m also a writer. Whether spoken aloud, scribbled onto the page of a journal, or silently rehearsed in our minds, the words we use matter.
Are you or a loved one facing the challenges of living with a chronic illness?
I utilize various evidence-based therapeutic approaches (e.g. CBT, ACT, trauma-focused therapy). I also provide at-home and/or in-clinic neurofeedback - a non-invasive EEG-guided biofeedback treatment. I am now offering brain maps to best assist you in understanding your mental health needs. Together we tailor a treatment plan to meet your goals.
Are you or a loved one facing the challenges of living with a chronic illness?
I utilize various evidence-based therapeutic approaches (e.g. CBT, ACT, trauma-focused therapy). I also provide at-home and/or in-clinic neurofeedback - a non-invasive EEG-guided biofeedback treatment. I am now offering brain maps to best assist you in understanding your mental health needs. Together we tailor a treatment plan to meet your goals.
I’m Samantha, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in cancer support, chronic illness, and terminal illness.
With a Master’s in Marriage & Family Therapy from Northwestern University, my work blends evidence-based practice with a relational, conversational approach. I specialize in supporting those affected by cancer, chronic and terminal illness, caregiver burnout, grief, and fertility challenges with empathy and clinical expertise.
I’m Samantha, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in cancer support, chronic illness, and terminal illness.
With a Master’s in Marriage & Family Therapy from Northwestern University, my work blends evidence-based practice with a relational, conversational approach. I specialize in supporting those affected by cancer, chronic and terminal illness, caregiver burnout, grief, and fertility challenges with empathy and clinical expertise.
Are you a chronically ill or disabled person longing for a space where you don’t have to explain yourself first? Have your COVID precautions been pathologized or dismissed? Are you navigating life as a Queer, TGNC, Polyam, or Kinky human, or managing AFAB-specific health conditions like Endometriosis? I work with those who’ve felt unseen in traditional care — holding space for the tender, messy parts of being human while honoring rest, authenticity, and the wisdom of your body. As Audre Lorde reminds us, ‘self-care is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.’
Are you a chronically ill or disabled person longing for a space where you don’t have to explain yourself first? Have your COVID precautions been pathologized or dismissed? Are you navigating life as a Queer, TGNC, Polyam, or Kinky human, or managing AFAB-specific health conditions like Endometriosis? I work with those who’ve felt unseen in traditional care — holding space for the tender, messy parts of being human while honoring rest, authenticity, and the wisdom of your body. As Audre Lorde reminds us, ‘self-care is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.’
Overworked? Overwhelmed? Stressed out? Exhausted? I know the feeling! Things feel very precarious right now, we're all trying to wade through the shit and chaos around us. We will collaborate to navigate all of that, build insight, and create a path forward that feela a bit less treacherous.
Overworked? Overwhelmed? Stressed out? Exhausted? I know the feeling! Things feel very precarious right now, we're all trying to wade through the shit and chaos around us. We will collaborate to navigate all of that, build insight, and create a path forward that feela a bit less treacherous.
When life feels like a knotted ball of yarn, sometimes we need help finding a thread to grab. As a therapist, I support my clients in finding that thread. I work with clients and couples who are experiencing work challenges, disability, life transitions, OCD, anxiety and depression. Couples often will come to me when they are feeling afraid and lonely in their relationships, like they are walking on eggshells. As your couples’ therapist I will work in supporting you to share with each other vulnerably and fully.
When life feels like a knotted ball of yarn, sometimes we need help finding a thread to grab. As a therapist, I support my clients in finding that thread. I work with clients and couples who are experiencing work challenges, disability, life transitions, OCD, anxiety and depression. Couples often will come to me when they are feeling afraid and lonely in their relationships, like they are walking on eggshells. As your couples’ therapist I will work in supporting you to share with each other vulnerably and fully.
Many of life's events such as the diagnosis of a chronic illness, divorce, work/ school issues, relationship issues, and life transitions can feel overwhelming with a roller-coaster of emotions.
I believe the therapeutic relationship is vital to the healing process. I use a relational approach to help build trust and a safe environment. I use a conversational, and collaborative approach by engaging with you so you feel understood, respected, and seen. I use a direct, yet empathetic and supportive approach to empower you to meet your goals.
Many of life's events such as the diagnosis of a chronic illness, divorce, work/ school issues, relationship issues, and life transitions can feel overwhelming with a roller-coaster of emotions.
I believe the therapeutic relationship is vital to the healing process. I use a relational approach to help build trust and a safe environment. I use a conversational, and collaborative approach by engaging with you so you feel understood, respected, and seen. I use a direct, yet empathetic and supportive approach to empower you to meet your goals.
As a therapist, my goal is to work together to find the healing process that works best for you. Since we all have unique needs and experiences, I like to meet clients where they are, whatever that looks like. My style is compassionate, calm, and curious. In session, I offer an interactive approach based on trust and respect so you don’t feel alone when things get messy. I also bring my genuine & authentic self to sessions, which means that I am there for you when things are heavy or when you need a bit of humor to brighten your day. If you’d like to learn more about myself or therapy generally, I'm happy to hop on a call!
As a therapist, my goal is to work together to find the healing process that works best for you. Since we all have unique needs and experiences, I like to meet clients where they are, whatever that looks like. My style is compassionate, calm, and curious. In session, I offer an interactive approach based on trust and respect so you don’t feel alone when things get messy. I also bring my genuine & authentic self to sessions, which means that I am there for you when things are heavy or when you need a bit of humor to brighten your day. If you’d like to learn more about myself or therapy generally, I'm happy to hop on a call!
Each person processes physical and emotional experiences differently. My approach in treating these experiences as they become overwhelming to ones physical and mental health is with compassion and authenticity. When working in the respiratory therapy field I watched many of my patients struggle with managing their complex emotional responses due to the chronic respiratory illnesses. Anxiety, stress and depression has an impact not only on our mental well being but our physical health as well.
Each person processes physical and emotional experiences differently. My approach in treating these experiences as they become overwhelming to ones physical and mental health is with compassion and authenticity. When working in the respiratory therapy field I watched many of my patients struggle with managing their complex emotional responses due to the chronic respiratory illnesses. Anxiety, stress and depression has an impact not only on our mental well being but our physical health as well.
Hi and thank you for being here. My name is Akina and I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I work with teens and adults who are feeling overwhelmed with life stressors. Maybe you're in decision paralysis, feeling stuck in worry, finding it hard to establish boundaries to protect your time and energy. I am here to foster awareness and provide opportunities to interrupt ways of thinking and behaving that no longer feel helpful.
Hi and thank you for being here. My name is Akina and I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I work with teens and adults who are feeling overwhelmed with life stressors. Maybe you're in decision paralysis, feeling stuck in worry, finding it hard to establish boundaries to protect your time and energy. I am here to foster awareness and provide opportunities to interrupt ways of thinking and behaving that no longer feel helpful.
Our bodies, like houses, hold more than flesh and bones: they store memory, emotion, and the wisdom of lived experience. In difficult seasons, we often linger on the front lawn, while our house sags under years of strain, its peeling paint and fractured walls whispering of unattended wounds. Our therapeutic work begins with a gentle invitation to step back inside: to listen to overlooked sensations, notice what pressure and pain have worn down, and imagine moving back in again. Therapy isn’t about restoring the house to match the neighbors'. It’s about creating a home where you can live, rest, create, and belong on your own terms.
Our bodies, like houses, hold more than flesh and bones: they store memory, emotion, and the wisdom of lived experience. In difficult seasons, we often linger on the front lawn, while our house sags under years of strain, its peeling paint and fractured walls whispering of unattended wounds. Our therapeutic work begins with a gentle invitation to step back inside: to listen to overlooked sensations, notice what pressure and pain have worn down, and imagine moving back in again. Therapy isn’t about restoring the house to match the neighbors'. It’s about creating a home where you can live, rest, create, and belong on your own terms.
Are you struggling with adjusting to a life that is not what you had hoped and planned for? Perhaps you're struggling with limitations due to chronic health conditions (ME/CFS, LongCovid), disability, being a public figure, or a major life transition; with your history of trauma, loss, or adoption; your identity around race, ethnicity, multiculturalism, or immigration? Given my own life experiences, I'm passionate to support you if you feel lost on how to make a life worth living, need to find new value in your life, redefine your identity, and need to find hope given your unexpected and/or unwanted circumstances or history.
Are you struggling with adjusting to a life that is not what you had hoped and planned for? Perhaps you're struggling with limitations due to chronic health conditions (ME/CFS, LongCovid), disability, being a public figure, or a major life transition; with your history of trauma, loss, or adoption; your identity around race, ethnicity, multiculturalism, or immigration? Given my own life experiences, I'm passionate to support you if you feel lost on how to make a life worth living, need to find new value in your life, redefine your identity, and need to find hope given your unexpected and/or unwanted circumstances or history.
Jennifer Warner
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW, LICSW
3 Endorsed
Online Only
Waitlist for new clients
My practice is dedicated to working with adults living with stress related to complex chronic illness (including COVID and post acute COVID syndrome, POTS, dysautonomia, vestibular disorders, migraine, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, MCAS, IBD, a) as well as with the caregivers, medical providers, and allied professionals who serve this population.
Asking for help is one of the strongest things you can do, but it can also be one of the hardest because of past experience of not being heard, believed, or supported. Extreme stressors and traumatic events - including new or ongoing health conditions - affect every aspect of our lives and can make relationships - with family, friends, colleagues, and even healthcare providers - very challenging. The impact of these events can make us feel isolated, misunderstood, and unsupported (even by the well-intentioned). They can lead us to make choices we aren't proud of and limit our enjoyment of life in general.
My practice is dedicated to working with adults living with stress related to complex chronic illness (including COVID and post acute COVID syndrome, POTS, dysautonomia, vestibular disorders, migraine, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, MCAS, IBD, a) as well as with the caregivers, medical providers, and allied professionals who serve this population.
Asking for help is one of the strongest things you can do, but it can also be one of the hardest because of past experience of not being heard, believed, or supported. Extreme stressors and traumatic events - including new or ongoing health conditions - affect every aspect of our lives and can make relationships - with family, friends, colleagues, and even healthcare providers - very challenging. The impact of these events can make us feel isolated, misunderstood, and unsupported (even by the well-intentioned). They can lead us to make choices we aren't proud of and limit our enjoyment of life in general.
I work with individuals navigating chronic illness, disability, medical trauma, neurodivergence, life transitions, and identity exploration, as well as members of the LGBTQ+ community.
As a queer, disabled/chronically ill career-changer, my personal experience shapes how I show up as a clinician. I know life is not linear, and I do not expect progress to be, either. I bring a relational, conversational style to therapy–I believe showing up authentically is foundational to connection, and connection is where healing occurs.
I work with individuals navigating chronic illness, disability, medical trauma, neurodivergence, life transitions, and identity exploration, as well as members of the LGBTQ+ community.
As a queer, disabled/chronically ill career-changer, my personal experience shapes how I show up as a clinician. I know life is not linear, and I do not expect progress to be, either. I bring a relational, conversational style to therapy–I believe showing up authentically is foundational to connection, and connection is where healing occurs.
Looking for a therapist who specializes in struggles with identity, sexual orientation, diverse sexual groups, such as kink/BDSM; relationship orientation such as polyamory, relationship anarchy, or swinging; anxiety, depression, HIV/AIDS, and other chronic illness; secular or alternative faiths such as paganism; and are seeking patient-centered, compassionate, and affirming care?
I create a safe, nonjudgmental space to collaborate and honor where you are in your journey to living an authentic, purposeful, and happy life. I provide therapy through a holistic, patient-centered, intersectional, and trauma-informed lens.
Looking for a therapist who specializes in struggles with identity, sexual orientation, diverse sexual groups, such as kink/BDSM; relationship orientation such as polyamory, relationship anarchy, or swinging; anxiety, depression, HIV/AIDS, and other chronic illness; secular or alternative faiths such as paganism; and are seeking patient-centered, compassionate, and affirming care?
I create a safe, nonjudgmental space to collaborate and honor where you are in your journey to living an authentic, purposeful, and happy life. I provide therapy through a holistic, patient-centered, intersectional, and trauma-informed lens.
See more therapy options for Chicago
Nearby Chronic Illness Therapists Searches for Chicago
- Berwyn
- Brookfield
- Cicero
- Elmwood Park
- Forest Park
- Lakeview
- Lincoln Park
- Lincolnwood
- Norridge
- Oak Lawn
- Oak Park
- River Forest
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.