Chronic Pain or Illness

Hi, I’m Dr. Catalina. I believe our sexual wellbeing is central to overall health. As a clinical health psychologist for the past 20 years, I’ve worked with individuals affected by the big guns – cancer, death and dying. Through this work, I witnessed that True Authentic Connection is what makes life worth living. Health impacts how we see ourselves and how we connect with others. I address sexual and relationship concerns for individuals and couples impacted by chronic illness

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.

I have helped hundreds of clients who are actively suffering from chronic pain, chronic illnesses, and debilitating disabilities. Coming-to-terms with your physical struggles, learning how to navigate life with them, and finding your personal strengths all are very useful ways to beat the depression and anxiety that these issues cause. Good therapy can help.

Chronic health issues are not just challenging physically-they take an emotional toll. Chronic pain and chronic illness can increase feelings of anxiety about the future and feelings of isolation. Therapeutic techniques included Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can provide interventions to decrease overwhelming feelings of depression and anxiety as well as mindfulness skills to manage distress in healthy ways.

My background in working with adults with developmental disabilities, my education in ethics, and then my own experiences within the healthcare system shaped my enthusiasm for working with people who have chronic pain and illness. I bring an integrative approach and have found particular success with using EMDR and ego state work in supporting people with chronic health conditions including pain.

Chronic illness and pain are often invisible to those about us, causing us to suffer in isolation. Those who are aware often don't understand, and aren't curious to learn. Wild Foxgloves understands and sees your suffering, and is also open to learning from you. We also invite you into the story that your body tells. In the Western Hemisphere we think of the body and mind as separate, but research tells another story.

Many of my clients are dealing with chronic illnesses, including lime disease, chronic fatigue, and HPA axis dysregulation. It is important to me to support these clients on their journey of acceptance and healing. The issue of chronic illness is personal to me as well as professional. My mother has survived (and thrived), with courage and grace, a chronic illness throughout her life.

You feel like crap all the time, and you’re not sure how much longer you can keep this up. Maybe your doctor brushed it off, or told you to lose weight. Maybe they labeled it as “anxiety” just because you have both a vagina and more than one medical problem. You’re starting to lose hope. I get it. I spent decades without diagnosis or treatment, surviving medical neglect, misdiagnosis, and gaslighting by medical professionals. I felt lost and alone, but you don’t have to. I BELIEVE YOU.

I support clients in navigating the complexities of chronic pain or illness by addressing both emotional and practical aspects, including *the stress and uncertainty* of significant medical diagnoses. This includes those disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Drawing from my own experience with unexpected health challenges, I bring a personal understanding to our work. Together, we'll collaborate on ways to better your quality of life and cope with the ongoing impacts of chronic conditions.

I work with clients with chronic illness such as Fibromyalgia, ME/CFS and Lyme Disease. I also work with family and loved ones to support in the care giver journey.

We offer specialized services for individuals living with a chronic medical condition or chronic pain, along with the caregivers for those individuals. We support clients through individual and group therapy, neurofeedback for pain management, and/or health coaching for holistic wellness.

Working in the Spoonie community is one that has come from continuing to deconstruct the divide between mental and physical health. They interact and effect each other, every time. We also see chronic pain stem from trauma. Each person is different, here we could be addressing trauma or we could be learning to cope with the emotions that come from managing chronic pain or illness.

As a therapist who lives with a physical disability, I understand the unique position that those with a chronic illness, disability or pain may be encountering. I will help you navigate any challenges you may be facing, as well as be an advocate for you.

Ralph's personal experience with Muscular Dystrophy encouraged him to help others who are living with chronic illness. Ralph will meet with you to learn about your diagnosis and the impact it is having on your life. Together, the both of your will learn how to process this situation and determine the realistic and attainable ways to manage your symptoms.

As someone with chronic illness myself, I understand firsthand the mental toll they can take. I have experience working with this community professionally during my time at Community Health Centers in Massachusetts. Additionally, I have specific experience working with individuals with HIV and am currently on an HIV/AIDS advisory board for the state of Massachusetts.

I am here to validate that your pain is real, and I can help you learn about the incredible mind-body connection. Whether you're experiencing anxiety or depression from chronic pelvic/sexual pain, trauma, or other life stressors, I'm here to help normalize your experiences and provide evidence based strategies to help you achieve your goals.

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.