About chronic illness
On this page you will find therapists who specialize in helping people manage the emotional and practical challenges of chronic illness. Browse profiles below to compare approaches, credentials, languages, and experience related to chronic health concerns.
Use the listings to explore clinicians who list chronic illness among their specialties and to plan the next step toward support that fits your needs.
What to compare in entries
| Credentials | A US state licence, or membership of a professional body such as BACP or NCPS. They are different kinds of thing; each profile shows what was supplied. |
|---|---|
| Focus | Whether chronic illness is listed as a main focus or among the wider list of areas. Entries show both. |
| Way of working | The approaches named on the entry. Two people working with the same concern can describe very different sessions. |
| Time in practice | Years in practice, as supplied. A fact to weigh, not a ranking. |
| Language | The languages sessions can be held in, where that matters to you. |
Common questions
How were these entries chosen?
Everyone listed on this page has chronic illness among the areas they told the platform they work with. They are not ranked, rated or endorsed by this directory, and the order is not a recommendation.
Do I need a referral to start?
No. You can contact a therapist through their entry directly. A GP referral is not required for independent online therapy.
What if the first therapist is not right?
Changing therapist is normal and expected, and can be done at any point. One session is a small sample of how someone works.
Entries for chronic illness
Angela Teasdale, NCPS
Ref 119622
Supportive counsellor focusing on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingHillary Gonzalez, LCSW
Ref 214393
Person-centered social worker focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Depression Languages: English
View listingJoanne Maddison, BACP
Ref 276861
Compassionate counsellor blending insight and practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Parenting Languages: English
View listingJames French, BACP
Ref 203032
Practical support for anxiety and life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingClement West, BACP
Ref 167549
Gentle, practical support for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingNicola Claydon, NCPS
Ref 183763
Calm, practical support for complex life issues
Works with: Relationship, Trauma and abuse, Intimacy-related issues Languages: English
View listingCaroline Woodford, BACP
Ref 203033
Person-centred counselling with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Eating Languages: English
View listingVictoria Postles, BACP
Ref 164179
Practical, person-led counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingAllysia Steward, LCSW
Ref 331970
Compassionate skills-based therapy for daily life
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingSara Lowe, LPC
Ref 104527
Practical, compassionate therapy for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Depression Languages: English
View listingTamara Folaron, LCSW
Ref 349708
Compassionate mind-body therapy for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Anger, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingJudith Ramsay, BACP
Ref 135275
Counselling that focuses on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingFaryal Choudry, LCSW
Ref 266995
Compassionate guidance for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingSherry Ramsey Hansen, LPC
Ref 352558
Collaborative counselor focused on practical progress
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingMichele Ellis, LCSW
Ref 355791
Compassionate support for overwhelming life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English
View listingCecile Terrelonge, BACP
Ref 134582
Person-centred counsellor offering practical support
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Family Languages: English
View listingMichael Witham, LPC
Ref 56161
Practical, person-focused counseling for daily struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English
View listingFaith Beaulieu, LCMHC
Ref 23986
Somatic-minded counselor for focused change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Relationship Languages: English
View listingDianna Wheeler, LPC
Ref 354614
Practical support for healing and stronger coping skills
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingClaudia Santiago, LCSW
Ref 149793
Practical, collaborative therapy for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English, Spanish
View listingRogenna Robinson, LPC
Ref 105891
Calm, practical support for life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDr. Robert Nolan, LMHC
Ref 15781
Steady, practical counseling for real-life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Bipolar Languages: English
View listingJoanna Bienkowska, BACP
Ref 169468
Calm, practical support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English, Polish
View listingFaye Noyland, BACP
Ref 176481
Calm, practical counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDonna Watts, BACP
Ref 219020
Compassionate, practical support for real-life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingVictoria Harper, BACP
Ref 257028
Gentle person-centred counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingKelley Sullivan, LCSW
Ref 526
Compassionate, practical therapy for real life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English, Spanish
View listingDr. Robert Hunt, LPC
Ref 187307
Experienced therapist for life changes and emotion work
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingPatrick Gribel, LMHC
Ref 348422
Therapist focused on depth and steady change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Self esteem Languages: English, Portuguese
View listingRines Shanthakumar, BACP
Ref 251123
Practical, relational counselling for life’s challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English, Tamil
View listingKim Smith, BACP
Ref 203026
Warm integrative BACP counsellor
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Grief Languages: English
View listingJamie Finkelstein, LPC
Ref 16744
Compassionate counselor for practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingRani Sagar, BACP
Ref 180509
Gentle humanistic counselling for life changes
Works with: Relationship, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingChase Carter, LCSW
Ref 330670
Skilled LCSW focused on relationships and recovery
Works with: Addictions, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingNina Pavitt , BACP
Ref 123931
Supportive person-centred counsellor
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingFarah Southwell, LPC
Ref 203059
Practical, experienced therapist for life’s hard moments
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English, Haitian Creole
View listingPeter Bramhill, BACP
Ref 236747
Practical, compassionate counselling for life’s challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingElaine Bell, BACP
Ref 183764
Calm, relational counselling for life changes
Works with: LGBT, Grief, Anger Languages: English
View listingRosalind Oliver, BACP
Ref 232595
Gentle practical therapy for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Trauma and abuse Languages: English, German
View listingJatindar Bhogal, BACP
Ref 116956
Calm, experienced support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English, Punjabi
View listingAngela Condit, LCSW, CSW
Ref 33489
Supportive clinical social worker focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Depression Languages: English
View listingAyelet Wellard, NCPS
Ref 236001
Person-centred therapy with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English, Hebrew
View listingBrittany Meredith, LCPC
Ref 310847
Practical support for stress and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingFiona Wallace, BACP
Ref 238204
Compassionate practical therapy for personal change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Intimacy-related issues Languages: English
View listingAbbe Goodman, LMFT
Ref 226386
Experienced therapist offering steady support
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Eating Languages: English
View listingBetty Lustig, LMHC
Ref 16843
Calm guidance for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English
View listingKeith Brown, LCSW-R
Ref 74478
Collaborative, practical therapy for real life
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Depression Languages: English
View listingMichele San Martin, LPC
Ref 84464
Therapist who offers steady practical support
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingMore about chronic illness
Understanding Chronic Illness and How It Affects You
When you hear the term chronic illness it refers to health conditions that last for months or years and often require ongoing care or lifestyle adjustments. These conditions can affect your energy, mobility, cognition, mood, and daily routines. Living with persistent symptoms may mean repeated medical visits, changes to work and relationships, and ongoing uncertainty about the future. The emotional toll can be as substantial as the physical, and many people find that managing a long-term condition reshapes their sense of identity and what they imagine for their life.
The impact of chronic illness is seldom only physical. You may experience grief over losses - of previous abilities, roles, or plans. You might face frustration when symptoms limit activities you once enjoyed. Financial stress, disrupted sleep, and social isolation are common threads that can deepen emotional strain. Understanding that these responses are common does not minimize their difficulty, but knowing they are shared by others can help you feel less alone as you seek support.
Common emotional responses
Many people report fluctuating emotions such as anger, sadness, anxiety, and hopelessness. These feelings can come and go with changes in symptoms or treatment, and they can be compounded by the practical challenges of coordinating care, managing medications, and advocating for your needs. Therapy can help you name these experiences, develop strategies to cope, and identify what matters most to you as you live with illness.
Signs You Might Benefit from Therapy for Chronic Illness
You may be considering therapy if you find day-to-day life is harder to manage than it used to be, or if emotional distress is interfering with relationships, work, or self-care. If worry about symptoms keeps you from sleeping or pursuing enjoyable activities, therapy can provide tools to reduce that interference. When feelings of helplessness, persistent sadness, or heightened anxiety persist for weeks or months, a therapeutic relationship can help you explore those patterns and develop practical coping strategies.
Therapy can also support you in the practical transitions that often accompany chronic illness. You may need help communicating with medical teams, navigating disability systems, or adjusting career plans. Emotional support for partners, family dynamics, and caregiving roles is another common reason people seek therapy. If you notice patterns such as withdrawing from social contact, relying heavily on unhelpful coping behaviors, or struggling to maintain daily routines, these are indications that targeted therapeutic work could improve your quality of life.
When to look for additional support
If you experience thoughts of harming yourself or others, or if symptoms escalate rapidly, it is important to contact local emergency services or your healthcare provider. Therapy is one component of a broader support system. You might coordinate care between therapists, primary doctors, and specialists to ensure you have comprehensive help for both emotional and physical needs.
What to Expect in Therapy Sessions Focused on Chronic Illness
Therapy for chronic illness typically blends emotional processing with practical problem solving. In early sessions you and your therapist will likely discuss your history with the illness, the ways it affects your daily life, and the goals you want to work on. Those goals can be concrete - for example, improving sleep habits or planning energy-conserving routines - or they can be about emotional shifts, such as reducing anxiety or rebuilding social connections.
Sessions often include learning specific skills you can use between meetings, like stress management techniques, pacing strategies to manage fatigue, and communication skills for conversations with loved ones and health professionals. Therapy may also provide a space to grieve losses, restructure unhelpful thinking patterns, and cultivate acceptance where appropriate. The balance between emotional exploration and practical tools depends on your needs and preferences, and you and your therapist can adapt the approach over time as circumstances change.
Working with your broader care team
You might find it helpful to coordinate what you do in therapy with medical care. While therapists do not replace medical advice, they can help you prepare for appointments, interpret emotional reactions to test results, and practice advocating for your needs. When this coordination is helpful, you can discuss boundaries and communication preferences with your therapist to make sure the collaboration supports your overall well-being.
Common Therapeutic Approaches for Chronic Illness
There is no single approach that fits everyone, and many therapists draw from multiple methods to address the complex needs that chronic illness presents. Cognitive-behavioral approaches are often used to help you identify and shift patterns of thought that increase emotional suffering and to develop practical strategies for symptom management. Acceptance-based approaches can help you find clarity about what is within your control and how to live meaningfully despite limitations.
Some therapists list mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques among their approaches, which can be useful for managing pain, improving sleep, and reducing reactivity to symptoms. Others describe a focus on health-related behavior change that helps you build routines for medication management, pacing, and energy conservation. If trauma plays a role in your history, there are therapists who list trauma-informed care among their approaches, offering ways to address past experiences that may affect your current health journey.
How to interpret approach descriptions
When reading therapist profiles you will see a range of approaches listed. Keep in mind that a therapist listing an approach does not mean they hold a specific certification in it. Think of these descriptors as signals of orientation - the types of strategies you might encounter in sessions. Consider which frameworks resonate with you and how they might align with your goals for therapy.
How Online Therapy Works for Chronic Illness and Tips for Choosing a Therapist
Online therapy can be especially useful if you have mobility limitations, fatigue, or fluctuating symptoms that make in-person visits difficult. Sessions typically occur over video or phone, allowing you to meet from your home or another setting that feels comfortable. Online formats also make it easier to fit appointments around medical treatments and to include partners or family members in sessions when that is helpful.
To choose a therapist for chronic illness work, start by clarifying what you need most. Are you seeking help with symptom-related anxiety, with adapting daily routines, or with relationship strains that have emerged since diagnosis? Look for therapists who explicitly list chronic illness, health psychology, or related themes among their specialties. Pay attention to stated approaches, languages spoken, and notes about work with caregivers or specific populations, because these details can help you find someone whose way of working aligns with your priorities.
Practical considerations when reviewing profiles
Read therapist profiles for information about clinical orientations and the kinds of challenges they commonly address. Look for descriptions that reflect respect for your experience and a collaborative approach to setting goals. If you rely on assistive devices or require particular accommodations, check profile details about accessibility or mention your needs when you reach out. You may also find it helpful to seek therapists who list experience working with conditions similar to yours, while keeping in mind that many clinicians work across a wide range of health concerns.
Choosing a therapist is a personal process. Trust your instincts about who feels like a good fit for you. It is reasonable to try a few conversations to get a sense of whether the therapist’s communication style and approach match your expectations. A productive therapeutic relationship often includes clear goals, realistic steps, and a mutual sense of respect as you work toward meaningful changes in how you live with chronic illness.