Chronic Pain or Illness

I have specialty training in health psychology and specialized experience working with individuals navigating chronic pain conditions, cancer diagnoses, kidney donation or recipient processes, and HIV.

I am health psychologist and have worked with people with chronic illness or life limiting illnesses like cancer, autoimmune disease, diabetes, injuries, amputations, functional neurological conditions, GI diseases, as well as many others. I also have worked with clients and their families at the end of their life. Coping with physical symptoms and medical systems can be incredibly stressful and therapy can help improve quality of life while living with medical challenges.

I have worked as a medical social worker in long term care settings, provided in-home mental health counseling to individuals and worked in hospice and palliative care providing counseling to both the patient and their family. Facing a health crisis and living with chronic illness can force you to make a lot of decisions and your resources and support may be limited. You might feel overwhelmed and paralyzed. I can help assess what you need, navigate and access support and resources in CO.

Living with illness, disability, and/or chronic pain can leave you feeling isolated as you navigate changing relationships, medical care, stretched finances, grief for what's been lost, fear about the future, experiences of invisibility/hypervisibility, and anger about how you've been treated. I work from a Disability Justice model, grappling with the ways in which our world often fails to provide accommodation and access, and how our lives become shaped by that lack of care and recognition.

Living with illness, disability, and/or chronic pain can leave you feeling isolated as you navigate changing relationships, medical care, stretched finances, grief for what's been lost, fear about the future, experiences of invisibility/hypervisibility, and anger about how you've been treated. I work from a Disability Justice model, grappling with the ways in which our world often fails to provide accommodation and access, and how our lives become shaped by that lack of care and recognition.

After years of working with clients who have health-related issues, I myself acquired chronic health conditions that impact my day-to-day life. I both personally and professionally understand what it is like to adjust to these life changes, learn your limitations, pace yourself, and try to raise a family while chronically ill. Preferred issues to address: Fibromyalgia, Food Allergies/Anaphylaxis, Headache, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, IBD (Crohn's/Colitis), Infertility, ME/CFS, Migraine.

As a person with a chronic illness, I understand what it is like to be misunderstood, dismissed, gaslit, and eternally tired. Our work in this area will focus on gaining balance and perspective, learning how to advocate for your needs in ways that aren't depleting, and decreasing stress so that you can have a life worth living.

Living with illness, disability, and/or chronic pain can leave you feeling isolated as you navigate changing relationships, medical care, stretched finances, grief for what's been lost, fear about the future, experiences of invisibility/hypervisibility, and anger about how you've been treated. I work from a Disability Justice model, grappling with the ways in which our world often fails to provide accommodation and access, and how our lives become shaped by that lack of care and recognition.

Dr. Clendaniel is a pediatric psychology who specializes in the treatment of children, adolescents and young adults with anxiety and health-related adjustment issues. She has particular expertise in pain management and treatment of chronic headache and functional gastrointestinal illness.

I identify as a chronically ill person and I understand how difficult the day to day can be while dealing with chronic pain or a chronic illness. as a therapist, I am here to support you with all of the ins and outs of managing chronic illness or chronic pain. I hope to be a flexible, compassionate and nourishing source of guidance and support for you in this struggle.

Chronic pain can be so isolating, and can contribute to depression, anxiety, and trauma symptoms. My approach to pain is multifaceted, including cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and somatic movement. I'll help you identify triggers, develop self care skills, and learn how to regulate your nervous system so that pain will be less intense. I will also offer you deep empathy and compassion, and a safe space in which to be honest about your difficulties.

Issues resulting from medical conditions often include: grief and loss, family conflict, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, loss of routine and/or job, trauma, loss of identify, and more. In my work with these populations, I processed their feelings regarding the changes, how to incorporate the changes, while working with them to prevent their entire lives from BEING these changes.

Chronic illnesses of all of kinds are really difficult. Many times we can feel imprisoned or trapped in our bodies because it can get in the way of so much. I know this well because I have been experiencing chronic illness symptoms most of my life. I entered this field because I felt I couldn't find a therapist that really understood the whole situation that I was experiencing. My clinical and research experience have been full force in learning the best ways to work with this population.

Living with chronic illness or traumatic stress, one might feel overwhelmed and tense on a regular basis or trend more toward feeling numb and shut down, perhaps even dissociated, but regardless of how one's experiences show up in their bodies, one thing remains the same: Being “inside ourselves,” with our thoughts, feelings and emotions, feels scary, confusing and painful. Purposefully creating a sense of safety inside ourselves after trauma, illness or crisis can be likened to returning home.

I worked with children diagnosed with special needs for many years, in many settings. In addition, I interned at Winship Cancer Institute and worked for CHOA in their inherited bleeding disorders unit. I have a unique understanding how illness affects clients across the lifespan.

Being diagnosed with a chronic illness is most likely something that you did not expect to happen in your life. Whether you’re struggling with diabetes, an autoimmune disease, cancer, heart disease, or any other form of chronic illness, the effort that it takes to get through a normal day can feel heavy and at times unbearable. Support is provided in counseling to discuss the challenges. You will be offered a compassionate and nonjudgmental space to discuss your experience.

It is no secret that chronic pain or illness impacts not only all facets of our lives (work, relationships, etc.), but also all layers of the self (mind, body, spirit/soul). Then, healing should also be holistic and integrative. Through mind-body techniques like mindfulness, yoga, and somatic tracking we will work together on navigating the challenges of chronic pain/illness, while cultivating healing and building a meaningful life along the way.

I identify as a chronically ill person and I understand how difficult the day to day can be while dealing with chronic pain or a chronic illness. as a therapist, I am here to support you with all of the ins and outs of managing chronic illness or chronic pain. I hope to be a flexible, compassionate and nourishing source of guidance and support for you in this struggle.