The Chronic Illness Therapists Podcast
is meant to be a place where people with chronic illnesses can come to feel heard, seen, and safe while listening to mental health therapists and other medical professionals talk about the realities of treating complex medical conditions.
Want to be a guest on the podcast?
Currently accepting requests from other mental health therapists and other health professionals who specialize in chronic illness and pain.
Just fill out the form below, and I’ll reach out to you to discuss next steps!
The Chronic Illness Therapists Podcast
Have you ever wondered how a therapist can actually help you with your chronic illness?…
Does seeing a therapist make you feel like “it’s all in your head?”
Listen in while I interview therapists across the world who specialize in chronic illness. Our goal is to demystify the therapy process, so you can finally get the help and support that you deserve.
New episodes air every two weeks on Fridays on Apple, Google, and Spotify.
Want to suggest a topic for the podcast? Just fill out this form to tell me what you'd like to hear about!
Below you'll find all my newest blog posts. I write about lots of different topics - sometimes about things I discuss in my podcast episodes, and other times just sharing thoughts and ideas that aren't connected to the podcast. Take a look and enjoy!
Finding Joy While Chronically Ill w/ Dr. Brentia Caldwell-Smith Ph.D., LPC, NCC, ACS, CPCS
When you get diagnosed with a chronic illness, it can feel like your whole world just shifted. And honestly? It did. So this might come as a shock to some, but… You can still have fun. You can still feel connected and joyful. It will just look a different than it did before.
I sat down with Dr. Brentia Caldwell-Smith, founder of The UP Center, to talk about what it really means to live well with chronic illness. Brentia has lupus and interstitial lung disease, and she's also a licensed professional counselor who specializes in chronic illness navigation. This conversation was full of real talk about grief, community, joy, and how to prioritize yourself when the world doesn't always understand what you're going through.
When Your Labs Are Normal But Your Body Isn't: Understanding Invisible Illness
I had one of those conversations recently that I think is going to resonate with a lot of you. Dr. Kara Wada joined me on the podcast to talk about navigating chronic illness when the medical system keeps telling you nothing's wrong, and what to do when you're caught between dismissive doctors and wellness influencers making big promises.
Dr. Kara's a board-certified allergist and immunologist who also happens to live with Sjögren's disease and dysautonomia. So she gets it from both sides: the clinical side where you're trying to help patients within a broken system, and the patient side where you're the one being told your labs look "normal" while your body is screaming otherwise.
And if you've ever been in that position, you know how maddening it is.
The Emotional Burden of Chronic Illness w/ Kate Zera Kray LCSW
Have you ever noticed yourself saying "part of me wants to rest, but another part feels guilty about canceling plans again"? If you're living with a chronic illness, you probably experience these internal conflicts daily. Today, we're exploring Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy with clinical social worker Kate Zera Kray, and how understanding our inner "parts" can transform the way we relate to our bodies and our conditions.
When Trying Harder Makes It Worse: A Different Approach to Chronic Illness Recovery
There's this moment that happens with almost every client I work with who has chronic illness - they realize they've been working against themselves without knowing it. They've been following the perfect diet so rigidly that the stress of maintaining it is causing more inflammation than the foods they're avoiding. They've been pushing through pain for so long that their nervous system is stuck in constant overdrive. They've been trying so hard to control their condition that the effort itself has become part of the problem.
If you're living with chronic illness, this might sound familiar. And if it does, I want you to know: this isn't a failure on your part. It's actually a completely understandable response to an impossible situation.
The Hidden Trauma of Chronic Illness: Why the Small Moments Matter Most
When we think about medical trauma, our minds often jump to the dramatic moments—the devastating diagnosis, the life-changing surgery, the emergency room visits. But what if I told you that some of the most profound trauma happens in the quiet, everyday moments that no one else sees?
Emma Tynan, an Irish psychotherapist who specializes in working with clients experiencing medical trauma and chronic illness, brings both professional expertise and personal understanding to this work. As someone who spent over a decade as a nurse (primarily in emergency care) and lives with chronic illness herself, Emma offers a unique perspective on the micro-traumas that accumulate over time.
The Realities of a Child's Chronic Illness: Insurance, Support, and Advocacy
Navigating a child’s chronic illness can be overwhelming, from medical uncertainties to financial strain and educational challenges. In Episode 79 of the Chronic Illness Therapist podcast, therapists Destiny Davis and Ronda Thorington discuss advocacy, insurance resources, and the power of parental expertise in securing the best care. Learn how to navigate this journey with confidence and support.