Chronic Illness Therapists in Knoxville, TN
I have specialized training in the treatment of chronic pain, persistent symptoms, and complex chronic illness, including back pain, POTS, EDS, dysautonomia, ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, migraines, and many more.
I helps adults with chronic pain and illness navigate the physical and emotional challenges of their conditions so they can reclaim their lives. I work with people whose symptoms have persisted despite extensive medical care, including people with conditions that are complex, poorly understood, or "invisible." With 15+ years of experience treating patients with chronic pain and other health problems in medical settings, I understand that your symptoms are real. Together, we'll work to help you create a life beyond pain and symptoms.
I have specialized training in the treatment of chronic pain, persistent symptoms, and complex chronic illness, including back pain, POTS, EDS, dysautonomia, ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, migraines, and many more.
I helps adults with chronic pain and illness navigate the physical and emotional challenges of their conditions so they can reclaim their lives. I work with people whose symptoms have persisted despite extensive medical care, including people with conditions that are complex, poorly understood, or "invisible." With 15+ years of experience treating patients with chronic pain and other health problems in medical settings, I understand that your symptoms are real. Together, we'll work to help you create a life beyond pain and symptoms.
I specialize in supporting those with trauma healing, nervous-system regulation, grief and loss, boundaries and compassion fatigue, and the mind-body connection in chronic illness.
I’m passionate about helping you see the parts of yourself that vie for your attention, but perhaps don’t get the time. It’s important to me to create a warm, safe space where you can bring every part of yourself, using your present to help you understand and reframe your past.
I specialize in supporting those with trauma healing, nervous-system regulation, grief and loss, boundaries and compassion fatigue, and the mind-body connection in chronic illness.
I’m passionate about helping you see the parts of yourself that vie for your attention, but perhaps don’t get the time. It’s important to me to create a warm, safe space where you can bring every part of yourself, using your present to help you understand and reframe your past.
I am a trauma-informed Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 13 years of experience. I have worked with populations including children and seniors and focus on using interventions for somatic recovery and cognitive reframing. I treat anxiety, stress, mood disorders, existential crises, ADHD, women’s issues, and self-esteem. I have experience in crisis management, substance use, and general mental health settings. I create a nonjudgmental atmosphere to help clients identify triggers and uncover root causes, providing validating listening and referrals to other professionals when needed.
I am a trauma-informed Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 13 years of experience. I have worked with populations including children and seniors and focus on using interventions for somatic recovery and cognitive reframing. I treat anxiety, stress, mood disorders, existential crises, ADHD, women’s issues, and self-esteem. I have experience in crisis management, substance use, and general mental health settings. I create a nonjudgmental atmosphere to help clients identify triggers and uncover root causes, providing validating listening and referrals to other professionals when needed.
My primary specialties are medical trauma, complex trauma, chronic illness and pain support, and burnout/compassion fatigue.
I am an eclectic therapist, meaning I pull from multiple modalities to uniquely tailor each client's treatment based on their goals. My favorite modalities are EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance-Commitment Therapy (ACT), and person-centered therapy. My approach is warm, affirming, and empowering.
My primary specialties are medical trauma, complex trauma, chronic illness and pain support, and burnout/compassion fatigue.
I am an eclectic therapist, meaning I pull from multiple modalities to uniquely tailor each client's treatment based on their goals. My favorite modalities are EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance-Commitment Therapy (ACT), and person-centered therapy. My approach is warm, affirming, and empowering.
EMAIL is the best way to get a hold of me! If you are experiencing heaviness, stress, depression, and/or anxiety and are motivated in fostering change for yourself, I am here for you. My purpose in my role is to provide these tools while openly navigating through some uncomfortable subjects along with you. I am someone you can be authentic with as well as secure.
Regarding insurance - I am not accepting insurance at this time. However, I am happy to assist with any paperwork involved in helping you claim these costs with your insurance provider.
EMAIL is the best way to get a hold of me! If you are experiencing heaviness, stress, depression, and/or anxiety and are motivated in fostering change for yourself, I am here for you. My purpose in my role is to provide these tools while openly navigating through some uncomfortable subjects along with you. I am someone you can be authentic with as well as secure.
Regarding insurance - I am not accepting insurance at this time. However, I am happy to assist with any paperwork involved in helping you claim these costs with your insurance provider.
I believe a balanced mind is essential to finding peace and fulfillment in life. My goal is to help you in your journey to clarity, purpose and harmony within yourself and in your relationships. I am a therapist dedicated to supporting adult women through their healing journeys. I specialize in treating trauma, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, depression, neurodivergence, and chronic health conditions that cause autonomic dysregulation. My approach is compassionate, client-centered, and tailored to meet each individual's unique needs.
I believe a balanced mind is essential to finding peace and fulfillment in life. My goal is to help you in your journey to clarity, purpose and harmony within yourself and in your relationships. I am a therapist dedicated to supporting adult women through their healing journeys. I specialize in treating trauma, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, depression, neurodivergence, and chronic health conditions that cause autonomic dysregulation. My approach is compassionate, client-centered, and tailored to meet each individual's unique needs.
Many are dealing with chronic illness, medical stress, or the effects of trauma and prolonged strain that have taken a toll on both their body and their life.
Therapy with me is collaborative and grounded in real life. We slow things down enough to understand the patterns at play, including how stress and trauma show up both emotionally and physically. From there, we focus on helping you respond differently in ways that are realistic and lasting.
Many are dealing with chronic illness, medical stress, or the effects of trauma and prolonged strain that have taken a toll on both their body and their life.
Therapy with me is collaborative and grounded in real life. We slow things down enough to understand the patterns at play, including how stress and trauma show up both emotionally and physically. From there, we focus on helping you respond differently in ways that are realistic and lasting.
I offer virtual therapy for young adults navigating anxiety, neurodivergence, life transitions, and chronic illness.
I know therapy feels daunting, so we will work at your pace to create a fulfilling life through small, impactful, and sustainable changes. My practice utilizes person-centered therapy to ensure your autonomy is honored and cognitive behavioral therapy for practical tools to break unhelpful patterns. I prioritize creating a compassionate, nonjudgmental space.
I offer virtual therapy for young adults navigating anxiety, neurodivergence, life transitions, and chronic illness.
I know therapy feels daunting, so we will work at your pace to create a fulfilling life through small, impactful, and sustainable changes. My practice utilizes person-centered therapy to ensure your autonomy is honored and cognitive behavioral therapy for practical tools to break unhelpful patterns. I prioritize creating a compassionate, nonjudgmental space.
Whether you’re navigating the isolating journey of chronic illness, surviving the complexities of domestic violence, or feeling stuck in patterns shaped by early relationships—you’re not alone.
I help adults who feel stuck in survival mode—whether due to chronic illness, trauma, or painful relationship dynamics—learn how to reconnect with themselves and others in safe, meaningful ways. My work is rooted in attachment theory, which means I look at how your early relationships may have shaped your beliefs about love, safety, and self-worth.
Whether you’re navigating the isolating journey of chronic illness, surviving the complexities of domestic violence, or feeling stuck in patterns shaped by early relationships—you’re not alone.
I help adults who feel stuck in survival mode—whether due to chronic illness, trauma, or painful relationship dynamics—learn how to reconnect with themselves and others in safe, meaningful ways. My work is rooted in attachment theory, which means I look at how your early relationships may have shaped your beliefs about love, safety, and self-worth.
Now offering in person sessions!
Life can feel unbearably heavy...whether it’s anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, substance use, chronic pain, or the constant pressure to keep everyone else happy in the process of experiencing these hardships..you don’t have to carry it alone! My clients come to therapy wanting to feel more grounded in their bodies, more confident in their choices, and more hopeful about the future. I affirm queerness, disability, and cultural identity, holding space for both personal and political realities.. Together, we’ll move from just surviving toward living with clarity, connection, and self-trust.
Now offering in person sessions!
Life can feel unbearably heavy...whether it’s anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, substance use, chronic pain, or the constant pressure to keep everyone else happy in the process of experiencing these hardships..you don’t have to carry it alone! My clients come to therapy wanting to feel more grounded in their bodies, more confident in their choices, and more hopeful about the future. I affirm queerness, disability, and cultural identity, holding space for both personal and political realities.. Together, we’ll move from just surviving toward living with clarity, connection, and self-trust.
Eileen Catlin
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
1 Endorsed
Knoxville, TN 37923
Waitlist for new clients
Are you feeling overwhelmed, living in patterns that make you feel stuck, or just don't feel like you are meeting your potential? Maybe you're highly sensitive, creative, deeply feeling, or have a history of complex trauma. The majority of us struggle with deep feelings like anguish, shame, emptiness, and the belief that we are alone. I am here to listen, in an environment free of judgement, where you can explore difficult feelings and patterns with therapeutic support. My goal is to help you translate your insights into practical action, working together to develop the tools you need to heal specifically tailored to you.
Are you feeling overwhelmed, living in patterns that make you feel stuck, or just don't feel like you are meeting your potential? Maybe you're highly sensitive, creative, deeply feeling, or have a history of complex trauma. The majority of us struggle with deep feelings like anguish, shame, emptiness, and the belief that we are alone. I am here to listen, in an environment free of judgement, where you can explore difficult feelings and patterns with therapeutic support. My goal is to help you translate your insights into practical action, working together to develop the tools you need to heal specifically tailored to you.
Healing begins when we can understand ourselves and one another. I help individuals, couples, and families shine a compassionate light on their thoughts, feelings, and patterns of relating to find new possibilities beyond the habitual survival strategies that have helped you to defend against stress and trauma. Therapy can give you the tools and awareness to make the changes that you want to make while you learn to experience a greater sense of safety and resilience, recover from difficult experiences, find more acceptance, get your needs met with more clarity, balance connection with boundaries, and live life with greater meaning.
Healing begins when we can understand ourselves and one another. I help individuals, couples, and families shine a compassionate light on their thoughts, feelings, and patterns of relating to find new possibilities beyond the habitual survival strategies that have helped you to defend against stress and trauma. Therapy can give you the tools and awareness to make the changes that you want to make while you learn to experience a greater sense of safety and resilience, recover from difficult experiences, find more acceptance, get your needs met with more clarity, balance connection with boundaries, and live life with greater meaning.
Feeling disconnected from those close to you can feel lonely and provoke anxiety. Many people come to counseling feeling stuck and don’t know which way to go. I strive to listen to you to gain a better understanding of your life in a nonjudgmental environment. I work with people of all sexual orientations and genders and aim to create a safe place to allow clients to build more secure and supportive friendships, romantic relationships, as well as a relationship with themselves.
Feeling disconnected from those close to you can feel lonely and provoke anxiety. Many people come to counseling feeling stuck and don’t know which way to go. I strive to listen to you to gain a better understanding of your life in a nonjudgmental environment. I work with people of all sexual orientations and genders and aim to create a safe place to allow clients to build more secure and supportive friendships, romantic relationships, as well as a relationship with themselves.
I wholeheartedly believe in the transformative power of counseling. It takes courage to seek help, and I commend those who choose this path as an act of self-love and care. As your therapist, I would be honored to listen, understand the complexities of your story, and create a safe, nonjudgmental space as we work together.
I wholeheartedly believe in the transformative power of counseling. It takes courage to seek help, and I commend those who choose this path as an act of self-love and care. As your therapist, I would be honored to listen, understand the complexities of your story, and create a safe, nonjudgmental space as we work together.
I’m an inclusive therapist who specializes in working with neurodivergent clients of all ages, especially those on the autism spectrum. I also deeply value my work within the LGBTQIA+ community and believe strongly in the importance of unconditionally accepting my clients for who they are while encouraging them to accept and love themselves.
I’m an inclusive therapist who specializes in working with neurodivergent clients of all ages, especially those on the autism spectrum. I also deeply value my work within the LGBTQIA+ community and believe strongly in the importance of unconditionally accepting my clients for who they are while encouraging them to accept and love themselves.
My clients often are experiencing a life that feels without meaning and control. A life that is filled with chronic stress. This stress results from conflict in our relationships and multiple roles in life. At other times,this stress is residue from unresolved life events that have depleted the ability to see through a lens of love. Life then naturally becomes driven by fear. If you are seeking to learn a way to create a life that feels worth living, despite any circumstance. I can teach you the way. The majority of my clients are experiencing anxiety, anger and depression in their daily life.
My clients often are experiencing a life that feels without meaning and control. A life that is filled with chronic stress. This stress results from conflict in our relationships and multiple roles in life. At other times,this stress is residue from unresolved life events that have depleted the ability to see through a lens of love. Life then naturally becomes driven by fear. If you are seeking to learn a way to create a life that feels worth living, despite any circumstance. I can teach you the way. The majority of my clients are experiencing anxiety, anger and depression in their daily life.
I believe an open and honest partnership forms the foundation for meaningful change through therapy. To me, that means providing a safe and affirming space to listen deeply to your stories without judgment. It includes working together to identify your concerns, hopes, and goals for therapy. It means determining how to enhance and strengthen what is working well for you while exploring patterns that may be getting in your way. It may also mean recognizing how your personal struggles can be inextricably connected to the political and social forces around you.
I believe an open and honest partnership forms the foundation for meaningful change through therapy. To me, that means providing a safe and affirming space to listen deeply to your stories without judgment. It includes working together to identify your concerns, hopes, and goals for therapy. It means determining how to enhance and strengthen what is working well for you while exploring patterns that may be getting in your way. It may also mean recognizing how your personal struggles can be inextricably connected to the political and social forces around you.
I believe therapy works best when it feels collaborative, flexible, and built on understanding your inner world with compassion and curiosity. I’m a licensed professional counselor (LPC-MHSP) and nationally certified counselor (NCC). I support clients ages 10 and older as they face the varied challenges of life, including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, relationship concerns, and significant life changes. My background also includes work in an intensive substance use recovery program for adult offenders, which strengthened my appreciation for resilience and the many paths people take toward change.
I believe therapy works best when it feels collaborative, flexible, and built on understanding your inner world with compassion and curiosity. I’m a licensed professional counselor (LPC-MHSP) and nationally certified counselor (NCC). I support clients ages 10 and older as they face the varied challenges of life, including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, relationship concerns, and significant life changes. My background also includes work in an intensive substance use recovery program for adult offenders, which strengthened my appreciation for resilience and the many paths people take toward change.
Hi, I’m Akela! I view therapy as physical therapy, but for emotional wounds. It’s about working through emotional hardships instead of ignoring them. At times, this process can feel difficult because we are “exercising” the areas that have been hurt, but through that work, it can lead to healing, growth, and resilience. I work with individuals who are trying to navigate through life's challenges like depression, anxiety, stress, grief, and life transitions. I am here to provide you with a space to grow in your journey toward healing and personal growth.
Hi, I’m Akela! I view therapy as physical therapy, but for emotional wounds. It’s about working through emotional hardships instead of ignoring them. At times, this process can feel difficult because we are “exercising” the areas that have been hurt, but through that work, it can lead to healing, growth, and resilience. I work with individuals who are trying to navigate through life's challenges like depression, anxiety, stress, grief, and life transitions. I am here to provide you with a space to grow in your journey toward healing and personal growth.
Specialized therapy for anxiety, borderline personality disorder, and bipolar disorder.
You may look fine on the outside while feeling overwhelmed or unpredictable inside. Anxiety can feel constant, and emotions may shift quickly or feel hard to manage. I work with adults who want steadier moods and healthier relationships.
I am warm, straightforward, and engaged in sessions. We focus on understanding your patterns, building emotional stability, and feeling more grounded in daily life. I offer private pay therapy so care can be personalized, flexible, and focused on real change.
Specialized therapy for anxiety, borderline personality disorder, and bipolar disorder.
You may look fine on the outside while feeling overwhelmed or unpredictable inside. Anxiety can feel constant, and emotions may shift quickly or feel hard to manage. I work with adults who want steadier moods and healthier relationships.
I am warm, straightforward, and engaged in sessions. We focus on understanding your patterns, building emotional stability, and feeling more grounded in daily life. I offer private pay therapy so care can be personalized, flexible, and focused on real change.
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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.