Chronic Illness Therapists in Minneapolis, MN
See all therapists in Minneapolis
Nicole Cardarella-Gasper
Counselor, MA, LPCC
Verified
Verified
"I have found, through painful experience, that the most important step a person can take is always the next one.” -Brandon Sanderson Let me help you take the next step. I enjoy providing therapy for queer folx,
chronic illness
, nerds, adolescents, young adults, college students, and families. I have special interests in all things nerdy, sex, trauma, and exploring identities (gender, sexuality). I primarily work from a feminist, anti-capitalist, and strength-based perspective. My ideal client wants a strong therapeutic relationship with an affirming and relatable therapist.
Not accepting new clients
Melissa Turgeon
Art Therapist, MPS, LPC, ATR-BC, CCLS
Verified
Verified
I am EMDR Certified and AIR Network Trained & have over 17 years’ worth of varied experiences, including anxiety, depression, cancer,
chronic illness
, grief, loss, post-partum, complex trauma, medical trauma, and healthcare provider burn-out.
As a Board-Certified and Registered Art Therapist, my respectful and compassionate approach blends trauma-informed care, creative arts, somatic awareness, mindfulness, and traditional talk therapy.
Sherry Merriam
Counselor, MA, LPCC, TCHI
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
My passion is for clients I love to call Misfits and Sensitives -- artists, geeks/nerds, kink/BDSM folk, ethical nonmonogamists including polyamorists, Pagans and other religious minorities, witches, punks, activists, healthcare providers, folks with
chronic illness
/physical disability.
You're sure the average therapist can't handle or accept you, because that's what you get everywhere else you go. School, work, almost everywhere, it's been an uphill struggle to fit in and feel understood -- IF you even bother anymore. If you DO find YOUR people, YOUR tribe, you spend the whole time secretly terrified they'll figure out you're not good enough and kick you out. You've been burned a few too many times, which just reinforces your belief that you'll never belong. All that rejection and pain sits in your body and spirit, grinding you down every day. But there's still part of you that believes you can find your place.
Cara Snyder
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LICSW, LIMHP, CMSW, LISW
Verified
6 Endorsed
Verified
6 Endorsed
Change. Anxiety. Feeling stuck. Confusion. Loss.
Chronic illness
. Depression. Sleep. Relationships. Stress. Life feels like a struggle. Together we will develop a plan that uses evidence-based methods to help you identify and achieve your goals. I value your unique story and am dedicated to helping you stay motivated as you take steps toward improved mental wellness.
Stacey M. Allen
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, CCLS
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
Stacey provides therapy services to individuals, families, couples, teens, and children who are living with cancer,
chronic illness
, medical issues, or grief, either themselves, or in their close circle. Stacey has served patients and their families around medical concerns in many contexts including private practice, as a Child Life Specialist in local hospitals, 7 years of weekly support groups at Gilda's Club for adults living with cancer, through grief support groups, and speaking engagements. Stacey assists clients during long and short term illness, through post-treatment, in the event of terminal diagnosis, and through grief.
Not accepting new clients
Karin Lyon
Counselor, MA, LPCC
Verified
Verified
I frequently hear my clients say some version of “If people ever knew what I’m struggling with on the inside…” Maybe you're a "people-pleaser" or someone with invisible
chronic illness
or maybe you're a high functioning individual who manages to hold it all together while feeling like a mess on the inside. If you're searching for some space to be heard and understood and sift through the internal dynamics, I can help.
Katie M Marsh
Counselor, MA, LPCC
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Areas where I work most frequently include anxiety,
chronic illness
, and relationship issues.
My clients are successful, functioning, and used to holding things together on their own. They are looking for a place where they can breathe and have permission to not be figured out. My clients want to dig deep into the “whys” underneath their thoughts or behaviors. We’ll work to give you tools to address the exacerbation of your symptoms, but will also explore the “root system” underneath your concerns to understand how we got to where you are. I love creating space for folks to make new connections, to let go of past now-unhelpful narratives, and move forward with greater knowledge, trust, and reliance on themselves.
Tesni Sunne
Pre-Licensed Professional, MA
Verified
Verified
I derive joy and meaning from helping people access their brilliant capacities for healing. My specialties are couples therapy, anxiety/OCD,
chronic illness
, recovery from relationship abuse, and adjustment through other changes. Each of these concerns involve journeys of re-becoming, and I help clients along these journeys with compassion, honesty, and intelligence. Even in the midst of distress and doubt, the possibilities for the journey hold so much hope.
Allison Nimlos
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
My niche is
chronic illness
, as well as terminal illness, physical disabilities, and mothers with high-risk pregnancies or who have children with medical conditions. I also enjoy helping individuals with anxiety, boundaries with family of origin, and significant life stressors, and working with couples on communication, conflict and life transitions.
Maureen Trefethren
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, NCC, LPCC
Verified
Verified
I feel that understanding how health issues and physical symptoms show up hand in hand with mental health struggles is incredibly valuable. I think that the better you understand how your body and mind interact, the more ability you will have to control symptoms. I have been trained to work with trauma, substance abuse, PTSD,
chronic illness
, family systems, couples, families, children, groups & individuals. My unique background in medicine also helps in working with individuals with
chronic illness
as well as individuals from the military, emergency services & medical personnel.
Shannon Pfau
Occupational Therapist, CEO, MAOT, OTR/L, CTP
Verified
Verified
I am trained in
chronic illness
management, sensory modulation, safe/sound protocol, biofeedback, and am a certified trauma professional.
Is your medical or mental health impacting your day-to-day life? Do you feel like you or your teen can’t keep up with daily tasks or has had a decline in independence/function? If so, you are not alone. Occupational Therapy (OT) focuses on what is meaningful for you. OT emphasizes the "doing" portion of therapy. OT could be addressing anything from basic hygiene skills, creating structure/routines, independent living skills, coping/emotional regulation, cognitive skill building and much more. Your goals are our goals in Occupational Therapy.
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Renewing Your Mind, Inc.
Catherine Cox
Kristen Hale
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Sanctuary Psychotherapy
Lisa Rutford
Fuller Living-Spring Lake Park
Elizabeth McKay
Melissa Stricklin
Allen Seaquist
Hannah Hernandez
Amanda R. Donnelly
Michelle Johnson-Dupre
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC
Verified
Verified
I enjoy supporting adults and adolescents as they discover their inherent health on a path of healing and transformation. I have worked with individuals and families experiencing the impact of new parenthood,
chronic illness
, professional or school-related stress, death and dying, and other life-changing events. I also have extensive experience teaching, coaching and assisting teens in identifying and meeting their goals.
Amanda McGovern
Psychologist, PhD, LP
Verified
Verified
I'm a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in evidence-based psychotherapy for adolescents, adults, couples and families. I have an expertise in evaluating and treating anxiety, depression, trauma, current life stressors and transitions, grief, loss, and relationship difficulties. I also have specialized training and experience in working with mental health issues across the female lifecycle,
chronic illness
, and pain. Before moving to Minnesota, I served as faculty at Weill Cornell Medical Center and Columbia University Medical Center in New York and Case Western School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio.
Molly L Nicholson
Counselor, MA, LPCC
Verified
Verified
I have the honor of working with people experiencing a wide variety of concerns including: depression; anxiety; grief/loss; life transitions;
chronic illness
; postpartum depression; sexual abuse; relationship problems; low self-esteem; family of origin; stress and more. My relational approach is based on the belief that within the framework of a trusting relationship with a therapist, clients can explore patterns of behavior and emotions which may relate back to earlier relationships. Once a better understanding of the origins of these patterns is developed, people often find lasting freedom from their hold over their lives.
Not accepting new clients
Susan Fredrickson
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I have special knowledge and training in: EMDR, which is effective in gaining emotional resolution from the painful symptoms of recent and past traumas; Emotionally Focused Couple's Therapy which promotes healing and greater closeness in relationships; Helping people find greater understanding and acceptance in living with
Chronic Illness
, Death & Dying.
I value collaborating with people to find a healing path together. I will work with you, keeping your goals uppermost in mind, while tailoring a therapy to meet your particular needs and circumstances. I have successfully helped many people find relief from a wide variety of difficult life issues. I would like to speak with you to determine together how I may be of help to you.
Not accepting new clients
Center for Counseling and Stress Management
Psychologist, PhD, LP
Verified
Verified
The Center for Counseling and Stress Management can help with several mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, sleep and sexual issues, difficulties concentrating or with decision making, difficulty coping with
chronic illness
and traumatic events.
Many of us struggle with feelings of being stuck, confused, indecisive, depressed, lonely, anxious, frustrated or angry. Some may find it challenging to make decisions or important choices. Others may be coping with chronic illnesses. Many are trying to deal with difficulties in relationships at home, work, or school; or wish to improve your self-concept. Dr. Numan's goal is to empower clients to attain a greater sense of well-being. Her dedication to providing a safe, accepting and understanding therapeutic relationship with her clients makes this attainable. Through Psychotherapy, you can gain new perspectives on your issues.
Not accepting new clients
Pam Cleary
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LICSW
Verified
Verified
I AM NOT ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS AT THIS TIME. I have 25+ years of working with pregnant & postpartum women struggling with mood issues, as well as people transitioning to different life stages, dealing with Anxiety, Depression, adjustments to
chronic illness
and family identity changes. Much of the work in therapy is about loss and how that affects one's sense of self. We work together to form a realistic plan for improving your life situation that brings about improvement in symptoms quickly.
Emily (Emy) Horsey
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MS, LICSW
Verified
Verified
Sometimes in life we can feel like we have no control over what is happening, the paths our relationships are taking, or what the future might have in store for us. We can get to a place where we are stuck in a continuous cycle of negative thinking, gloomy feelings, and ineffective behaviors. I provide therapy to individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, grief/loss, life transitions, relationship changes/separation, substance use issues, stress management, academic challenges, sports/performance concerns,
chronic illness
, sexuality/gender identity issues, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia spectrum, and life balance.
Not accepting new clients
Xavier Schmitz
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MS, MSW, LICSW
Verified
Verified
Issues addressed may include: depression, anxiety, fear of exercising outdoors, trauma recovery, climate distress, gender identity, relationship concerns, sexuality, identity development,
chronic illness
, and life transitions.
Whether you’re a nature lover or nature avoider, love to move your body or can’t stand to break a sweat, this therapy is for you. With today’s stressors, we all need nature more than ever. Take your therapy outdoors and gain the benefits of moving your eyes off the screen, engaging your senses, and really feeling your body in nature...all while addressing your personal goals.
Rebecca Pihl
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LICSW
Verified
Verified
My areas of focus center around coping with change, chronic stress, and grief & loss--- anxiety & depression, aging, life transition,
chronic illness
, infertility, caregiving, and parenting are special interests.
Has life brought an overwhelming amount of changes and challenges? Are you seeking help to make peace with the past & find a path through your difficulties? Do you need to explore new ways of approaching life instead of the old patterns? Healing is possible, and as a compassionate and trained listener I will partner with you on your own unique journey toward growth & peace as you face your struggles. A warm & trusting therapy relationship helps you take the risk of exploring, understanding and accepting yourself so that you can open up to new tools for moving forward.
See more therapy options for
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.