Therapy for Chronic Illness
You deserve care that sees all of you, not just your symptoms.
Living with chronic illness is exhausting, and not just physically.
You’re navigating a life that looks different than the one you imagined, often while trying to hold it all together.
You don’t have to push through this alone.
Our chronic illness therapists understand what it’s like to live in a body that doesn’t always cooperate, and we’re here to support you.
Do you feel like you're constantly explaining yourself to people who don't understand why you look fine but feel terrible?
We get it, and many of our therapists have been there, too.
We understand that you might be grieving the version of you that once felt whole, or feeling disconnected from the people you care about most because you can’t show up the way you want to.
The people we support with chronic illnesses often describe their experiences with:
The people we support with chronic illnesses often describe their experiences with:
- Fatigue that no amount of rest seems to touch
- Pain that comes and goes, sometimes without warning
- The emotional weight of anxiety, sadness, or feeling like a burden
- Constantly pacing your energy and rethinking how you move through daily life
- Brain fog, dizziness, or difficulty concentrating that makes simple tasks feel overwhelming
- Having symptoms that don't show up on test results or fit neatly into a diagnosis
- Medical trauma from being dismissed or misunderstood by healthcare providers
We know that chronic illness doesn’t always show up on test results, and it doesn’t need a perfect diagnosis to be real. Many of our clients have walked a long, difficult path to diagnosis, or are still searching for answers while their symptoms don’t fit neatly into any box.
Your experience is valid, whether you’ve been managing symptoms for years or are just beginning to adjust to a new reality. You don’t need a specific label to deserve care and support.
You can feel more in control of your life again.
We get that it might feel impossible right now, but you can find ways to live fully within your new reality.
You can feel more in control of your life again.
We get that it might feel impossible right now, but you can find ways to live fully within your new reality.
- You process the grief and anger that comes with a body that's changed
- You rebuild your identity around who you are now, not who you used to be
- You develop coping tools that honor your energy, capacity, and reality
- You set boundaries with people who don't understand your limitations
- You feel more in control without having to "push through" constantly
- You trust yourself to make decisions about your body and your care
- You find meaning and joy even when your life looks different than planned
Many of our therapists have lived experience with chronic illness or have supported family members through these misunderstood conditions. And whether you meet with us in person in New Bern or virtually from anywhere in North or South Carolina, we can help you.
We use trauma-informed, mind-body approaches because we understand that chronic illness affects your whole self, not just your physical symptoms.
Some of our providers also incorporate somatic and nervous system-informed techniques to create the best-fit care for you and your journey.
Many of our therapists have lived experience with chronic illness or have supported family members through these misunderstood conditions. And whether you meet with us in person in New Bern or virtually from anywhere in North or South Carolina, we can help you.
We use trauma-informed, mind-body approaches because we understand that chronic illness affects your whole self, not just your physical symptoms. Some of our providers also incorporate somatic and nervous system-informed techniques to create the best-fit care for you and your journey.
You don't have to explain yourself to us.
We believe your story deserves more than dismissal, quick fixes, or “have you tried yoga?”
Maybe you’ve tried therapy before and felt misunderstood, or you’ve been told things would get better if you just “thought more positively.”
We don’t offer toxic positivity or one-size-fits-all strategies.
We offer real, compassionate support from people who understand what it’s like to live with an invisible illness. You don’t have to justify your pain or prove how sick you are. We’ll meet you exactly where you are.
Our Process
Getting started is simple.
STEP 1: Get Matched with a Therapist
Fill out our short therapist matching form. We’ll pair you with a compassionate chronic illness specialist who understands your challenges and fits your needs, preferences, and schedule.
STEP 2: Schedule a Free Consultation or Your First Appointment
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with your therapist, or if you’re ready, go ahead and book your first full session. We work around your energy levels and health needs.
STEP 3: Begin Your Journey Back to Yourself
Start working with your therapist to process the complex emotions that come with chronic illness and develop strategies that honor your reality while helping you live as fully as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of chronic illnesses do you work with in therapy?
Our chronic illness therapists work with autoimmune diseases, chronic pain, Lyme disease, MCAS, mold illness, long COVID, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, POTS, endocrine disorders, and many others. We also support people who don’t have a clear diagnosis but know something isn’t right.
Do I need a diagnosis to start chronic illness therapy?
No. You don’t need a specific label or diagnosis to deserve care. We work with many clients who are still searching for answers or whose symptoms don’t fit neatly into any category. Your experience is valid regardless of what tests or doctors say.
Will my therapist really understand what I'm going through?
Many of our therapists have lived experience with chronic illness or have supported family members through similar challenges. We combine personal understanding with professional training to provide care that truly gets what you’re facing.
Can I still attend therapy if I'm having a bad symptom day?
Absolutely. We understand that chronic illness comes with unpredictable good and bad days. Whether you need to reschedule, attend virtually from bed, or take breaks during sessions, we’ll work with your reality, not against it.
I've tried therapy before, and it didn't help. What makes your practice different?
We specialize in the unique challenges of chronic illness, including medical trauma, grief, identity changes, and the emotional impact of invisible conditions. We won’t dismiss your experience or suggest you just “think positively.” We provide real, practical support.
Do you accept insurance for chronic illness therapy?
Yes, we’re in-network with major insurance plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, TRICARE, Medcost, and Traditional Medicare for both our online therapy in North Carolina and South Carolina and our in-person sessions in New Bern, NC.
What kinds of therapy do you use for chronic illness?
Our therapists use a whole-person, trauma-informed approach and other evidence-based, mind-body therapies that support healing on more than just the surface level. But most importantly, we tailor your care to you – your pace, your goals, and your life.
Here are some of the specific therapy types we may use to support you:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy assists with reframing negative, self-defeating thoughts into more rational, positive thoughts to gradually improve mindset and mood.
- Brainspotting works by tapping into the limbic system. The limbic system is a collection of brain structures that contribute to emotions, cognition, long-term memory, motivation, impulse control, and many other psychological factors that can affect well-being.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy, especially the components of Mindfulness and Distress Tolerance. These skills help regulate the body’s response to pain and discomfort as well as shift negative thoughts and feelings.
- Somatic-based therapy helps you safely reconnect with your body and release stored trauma or emotional pain. This approach supports clients who feel disconnected from their bodies or experience stress and symptoms that talk therapy alone can’t reach.
- Nervous system regulation techniques like breathwork, grounding, and gentle movement help calm overstimulation, reduce fight-or-flight responses, and build daily resilience – especially when your body feels stuck in a constant state of stress.
Why is trauma-informed care important for chronic illness?
Living with chronic illness can keep your nervous system stuck in survival mode. Trauma-informed care helps calm that response by addressing the emotional and physical toll of long-term illness.
It gently supports both mind and body, especially for those who have faced medical trauma, grief, or burnout. You’ll learn how to regulate your nervous system, set boundaries, and rebuild trust in your body at a pace that works for you.
Chronic illness therapy is available virtually across North Carolina & South Carolina, with in-person appointments in New Bern, NC.