Chronic Pain or 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.

Did you know that research shows therapy for chronic pain is as effective as painkillers? You can have much more influence over your pain than you'd imagine and you can get back to living a full life. Like pain medications, therapy works on the physical body but it also addresses two areas that medications don't. Whether you are dealing with chronic pain or chronic illness, you and I will work together to find solutions so you can focus on living a vibrant, satisfying life.

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 to 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.

I spent almost an entire decade shuttered away, homebound with severe fibromyalgia. The agony was constant and there was little relief. Many people did not believe it was a real chronic illness. Now there are millions of people who suffer from Covid-19 Long-Haulers Syndrome, a painful result of contracting the virus (even it was mild at the onset), that can lead to prolonged pain and grounding fatigue. I used my methodology to relieve my pain and get me back to my nearly-best self.

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.

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.

We approach chronic pain through a lens that combines mindfulness, values-based interventions, self-compassion, behavioral, somatic, and Pain Reprocessing interventions to help you learn to live a full life with peace and joy, despite your diagnosis. We also offer Nutrition services that can help you use food, nutrition, meal timing, and planning to help you learn how to support your body's capacity to heal and address any underlying nutritional concerns that may exacerbate your symptoms.

Receiving a medical diagnosis can be life altering. Countless medical appointments, new medications, attempting to maintain some sort of normalcy while feeling frustrated, isolated and perhaps grieving the life you once knew. My own medical struggles and my professional experience have allowed me to connect with my clients and help them move through these difficult moments.

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.

Psychotherapy with clinical hypnosis has been shown to be effective for treating chronic pain to decrease the intensity of pain and how it may interfere with your life. My VA Hospital research Treating Chronic Low Back Pain with Hypnosis or Biofeedback is published. Clinical hypnosis has also been shown to be very effective for treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

I spent almost an entire decade shuttered away, homebound with severe fibromyalgia. The agony was constant and there was little relief. Many people did not believe it was a real chronic illness. Now there are millions of people who suffer from Covid-19 Long-Haulers Syndrome, a painful result of contracting the virus (even it was mild at the onset), that can lead to prolonged pain and grounding fatigue. I used my methodology to relieve my pain and get me back to my nearly-best self.

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

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.

When you or someone you love is diagnosed with a serious or chronic illness/condition, it impacts everyone in that person's circle. Therapy focuses on helping you adjust, cope & optimize your quality of life by addressing emotional, practical, relational and/or existential concerns. I provide client-centered, solutions-focused expertise in navigating illness and the health care system. I collaborate with you to map out a plan to address today’s concerns while keeping an eye on the destination.

I worked from 1999-2018 as a social worker in each segment of the health and mental health care system, hospitals, homecare, short term rehab, long term care, hospice, outpatient community mental health, inpatient psychiatric care, and other settings delivering case management, counseling, therapy and other services to those in need. I also live with a number of chronic health conditions.

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 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 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.