Chronic Pain or Illness

Not unlike my education regarding LGBTQ issues, my family life brought me to understand the challenges of chronic pain and illness. I would have much rather learned this through formal education, readings or seminars, but unfortunately I was enrolled in the school of hard knocks. While I don't want to share too much detail online, I'm particularly focused and supportive of the challenges of "long haulers" or long-COVID/PASC, cancer and autoimmune disorders.

My primary focus is working with the too often over-looked Familial Caregivers of someone with a chronic illness. I have both professionsal and personal experience working with caregivers. I served as the Clinical Director of Supervision at the Parkinson's Association of San Diego, and I witnessed first hand the incredible stress, overwhelm, and exhaustion of the family caregivers who cared for my grandfather who had Parkinson's and my eldest sister who had aggressive ALS.

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.

As a clinical health psychologist I have comfort level and knowledge with many different types of illness and how they connect to mental health. I can also assist with advocating for yourself in the medical system or support in navigating these systems.

I worked in medical and geriatric social work for over five years. In these practice settings, I gained familiarity with the psychosocial impact of chronic illness, chronic pain, and adjustment to changes in ability. I am familiar with many medical conditions, including cancer, POTS, macular degeneration and other forms of low vision, renal disease and organ transplant, and Alzheimer's and other dementias.

I am a Chronic Pain/Illness and Chronic Fatigue informed provider. I myself live with Chronic Fatigue/Pain/Illnesses and I understand firsthand the feelings of shame and frustration when we have to reschedule something or cancel. I know how hard it is when your friends and loved ones don’t seem to understand your daily limits especially if you are running out of spoons, (Spoon theory)How we have limited energy resources and we expend more energy on basic tasks than healthy people.

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.

From 1999-2018 I worked as a social worker in each segment of the health and mental health care system; hospitals, homecare, short term rehab, long term care, hospice, community mental health, inpatient psychiatric care, and other settings providing case management, counseling, therapy and other services to those in need. I also live with a number of chronic health conditions and am involved with the Ehlers Danlos society, Spinal Leak Foundation and Dysautonomia International.

I have personal and professional experience around the impact of chronic illness on overall well-being. Depression and anxiety often co-occur with chronic illness due to physiological and neurological factors, increased stress, and the effect of symptoms on daily life. I use a supportive, validating approach, incorporating strategies from DBT and mindfulness practices to address these needs. I recognize medical care for chronic illness is often a challenging and invalidating experience.

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.

Living with chronic pain and or illness can create stress on all levels of our being. I am here to help you on all levels with pain, diagnosis, chronic pain, and illness. In addition to multiple supportive modalities, I am able to provide mind/body/emotion/spirit support via hypnotherapy and doula services when necessary

I am trained as a CRC (clinical rehabilitation counselor), which means specializing in disabilities. Having a disability can be confusing and a non-linear process from feeling grief/loss to acceptance and coping. I particularly enjoy working with people with "invisible disabilities" such as chronic illnesses and believe my holistic mindfulness-based body-centered approach is particularly helpful for integrating a mind-body connection.

Unfortunately, many people with chronic illness hesitate to be in therapy because doctors have told them that their symptoms are probably just anxiety or depression. I am here to tell you that your experiences are real, you know your body and lived experiences best, and it is not all in your head. I approach therapy for chronic illness and pain with both the mind and body at the forefront. I have extensive experience working with folks with many different chronic health issues.

I provide Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain. This is an evidence-based therapy for chronic pain that encourages clients to adopt an active, problem-solving approach to the many challenges of chronic pain. Clients will engage in meaningful activities, learn to manage stress, tackle unhelpful thoughts, and become more engaged in life again.

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

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.

Utilizing ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), I work with clients who live with chronic pain and/or chronic illness.