Chronically Me

Body Image

Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW on December 13, 2024

Chronic illness can negatively affect body image. Learn ways to work with these feelings, including a writing exercise designed to improve body image.

Family Dynamics

Family Stories and Chronic Illness

Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW on November 15, 2024

Family stories — including stories about illness — are important in articulating family values and increasing family connection. Learn more about the importance of narrative.

Chronic Illness

The Biopsychosocial Model of Illness

Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW on October 15, 2024

The Biopsychosocial Model of Illness incorporates biological, psychological and social factors in analyzing illness.

Chronic Illness

Transitions in Chronic Illness

Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW on September 13, 2024

Chronic illness is marked by continual transitions. Learn more about how to live well with constant change.

Chronic Illness

Mindset and Chronic Illness

Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW on August 15, 2024

Our assumptions and beliefs matter as we navigate living with chronic illness.

Chronic Illness

How Chronic Illness and Masculinity Intersect

Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW on July 15, 2024

Men's experience of chronic illness is often affected by cultural ideas of masculinity. Learn more about why this occurs and how to mitigate harm.

Chronic Illness

Chronic Illness and Self-Trust

Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW on June 14, 2024

Self-trust is an important component of well-being. Learn how chronic illness affects self-trust and explore ways to nurture it.

Chronic Illness

Chronic Illness as a Biographical Disruption

Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW on May 15, 2024

Like chronic illness, COVID is a biographical disruption; there are parallels between these two experiences.

Chronic Illness

Validation and Pain: Why Witnessing Matters

Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW on April 16, 2024

Invalidation of pain is a common experience for those living with chronic illness. Learn why pain validation is important and how to validate effectively.

Chronic Illness

Communication and Chronic Illness

Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW on March 14, 2024

Communication about chronic illness matters. Learn how to recognize and respond to harmful communications.

Positive Psychology

A Writing Exercise for Increased Well-Being

Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW on February 14, 2024

Writing about ourselves can help our well-being.

Bias

Working With Automatic Thoughts

Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW on January 15, 2024

While our brain's automatic thoughts streamline efficiency, sometimes they are unhelpful and need to be challenged. Learn more about changing cognitive biases.

Chronic Illness

Why Hobbies Matter in Chronic Illness

Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW on December 15, 2023

Chronic illness limits the ability to participate in leisure activities. Learn why and how to push back on these limitations.

Emotion Regulation

Rumination Is a Common Response to Life's Challenges

Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW on November 15, 2023

The causes, effects and treatment of ruminating.

Chronic Illness

Acceptance and Chronic Illness

Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW on October 15, 2023

Acceptance of chronic illness is correlated with positive health outcomes. Learn what it is, what it is NOT, and how to cultivate it.

Chronic Illness

Chronic Illness: Coping With Dependence and Self-Acceptance

Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW on September 15, 2023

Chronic illness dependence gives rise to painful feelings, but by acknowledging and communicating about them, an individual's self-worth often improves.

Chronic Illness

Family Resilience and Chronic Illness

Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW on August 10, 2023

Family relationships affect, and are affected by, chronic illness. Your family can build resilience by analyzing strengths over three domains of functioning.