Chronic Illness

Chronic illness is a continual life impacted health issue, that not only impacts our physical body, but our emotional, spiritual, and brain health. Often resolution is sought through the medical world with various treatments, but the other important areas listed above are generally neglected. One of the most challenging chronic illnesses are invisible, because no one can see externally the symptoms a person experiences. As someone who has personally experienced an invisible chronic illness for years, our physical health has a direct connection to our overall well-being, especially our mindset. When we are in pain, in discomfort, or drained physically our thinking and beliefs can become negative and hopeless. However, what if there was a way to find joy in midst of trial and experience hope in the midst of pain? The truth is, our mind influences so much of what we do in life, including how we feel physically and emotionally. Through the trauma trainings I have completed, there is a growing correlation between emotional pain/trauma directly affecting and even playing a role in causing our illnesses. Isn’t it amazing to think our emotional healing can lead to helping or healing our physical health? Take a moment as reader and think about a good memory. Focus on that memory and notice how you feel as you do. What do you notice? Feel better? Our mind is an amazing part of our design.

At Restore to Life Counseling I will meet you in the questions, hardships, pain, and in the loneliness that can be experienced. You will be supported and equipped to handle some of your hardest moments. If you are reading this, I understand the times you have felt lonely, anxious, hopeless, discouraged, and experienced intense pain. You are not alone! I may not be able to understand everything you have gone through, but I would like to understand and walk with you! There is hope and lasting change around the corner. Circumstances may not fully change, but your mindset can change and I will provide you the tools to experience life more fully amidst suffering and hardship.

Below are some basic areas we would cover. This list is not exhaustive list and if you have tried some of these approaches, we can talk about what has worked and not worked to better tailor the direction of sessions:

• Compassionately talk through your health and trauma journey

• Talk through emotional symptoms you experience (anxiety, grief, anger) and how to acknowledge/engage those in a productive manner

• Explore negative thoughts and beliefs that are holding you back from enjoying life and learn to renew your mind with truth statements.

• Manage pain and health symptoms through emotional awareness, somatic exercises, thought replacement, and other techniques.

• If you are a follower of Jesus we will talk through your questions, His heart in Scripture/Prayer, and how to deepen your walk with Him to experience peace, joy, and rest.

• Talk through and explore how supplements, nutrition, and exercise can help you thrive