Depression and grief are common experiences after a chronic illness diagnosis, but we can find our way through them
Depression and Grief Therapy in Youngstown Ohio
Therapy Available Virtually Across OH
Chronic illness can change how you see yourself, your relationships, your work, and your future.
Therapy can help you honor feelings of loss while reconnecting with who you are now to create a life that feels meaningful.
Depression and grief can be common with chronic illness adjustments, but that doesn’t mean we have to let sadness tell us what’s possible for us.
Depression and Grief Therapy Can Help If You Find Yourself Thinking…
"I just can’t keep up anymore. I’m always falling short."
You probably feel like your body is making decisions for you most days.
You might struggle with feeling frustrated by having to plan life around symptoms, medications, appointments, or energy.
You might feel betrayed by your body.
You might have difficulty trusting your body.
You probably feel like spontaneity has disappeared.
You might be afraid of committing to plans because you won’t know how you’ll feel. And you’re tired of feeling like you’re missing the most important moments.
"I don’t even know who I am anymore."
Loss of your pre-diagnosis identity can sound like, "I used to be the person everyone could count on."
You may struggle with accepting limitations or needing accommodations
You might feel shame or embarrassment around asking for help.
You might have negative thoughts about yourself when you need to rest, calling yourself “lazy,” “unreliable,” or “weak.”
You might find yourself pushing past limits to prove to yourself (and maybe others, too) you can still do what you used to.
"This wasn’t in my plans…it’s not fair."
You might have the experience of looking healthy while feeling profoundly unwell, leading to an inner identity conflict.
You might feel pressure to perform wellness for yourself and others.
You might feel conflicted about being "sick enough" to deserve accommodations.
You probably feel misunderstood or dismissed.
You might find yourself constantly explaining or defending your experience
You are probably caught somewhere between "I don't want this illness to define me" and "this illness affects everything."
Therapy For Depression and Grief Can Help You Find Your Way Through
By allowing ourselves to grieve who we were, we can make space for who we can still be
What if…
Instead of pushing against your body, trying to live life the way you did before…
You could learn to nurture your body and work with it, not against it?
Instead of criticizing yourself or your body for not meeting your expectations…
You could learn to recognize all-or-nothing thinking that keeps you feeling stuck and develop more flexible thinking that allows you to move toward what matters most?
Instead of assuming the things you used to love are inaccessible to you now…
You could adapt your goals to meet the reality of your body today?
Instead of pushing through flares in an attempt to “snap out of it”…
You could learn to distinguish between physical symptoms of chronic illness and more mood-based symptoms, and develop appropriate self-care tools for each?
What Makes Stephanie Different From Other Therapists With a Chronic Illness Speciality?
Hello - I’m so glad you’re here!
Choosing the right therapist can feel overwhelming. If you’re feeling nervous, about finding the right support, I totally get it.
What makes me different is that I know first-hand what it’s like to feel the loss of identity associated with chronic illness. I’m happy to say that I also feel like I have a good sense now (after years of getting in my own way!) of the kind of things that can help bring us back to ourselves.
Our bodies and health may never be quite what they were before, but we can still build a life we feel passionately about.
I can’t wait to support you!
Stephanie
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? The answers to some commonly asked questions can be found in this section, but you can always reach out with additional questions. I want you to feel confident that I’m a good match for your needs by making sure all your questions are answered.
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My fee for an individual session is $150 for self-pay or anyone wanting to explore out of network benefit options.
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I accept all major credit cards, HSA cards, or FSA cards as permitted by your plan.
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I do not accept insurance, and I understand that may be disappointing for some people. In the past, being an in-network therapist has meant I spend considerable admin time on paperwork, billing, denied claims, etc. By operating on a self-pay basis, I am able to pour all my focus into my work with clients. Time I would spend on admin work can be refocused on building resources to further support my clients.
If you are looking to use your insurance for therapy, you can explore reimbursement for services through any out of network benefits you may be eligible for with your primary health plans. Reach out to your insurance provider for more details on whether this is possible for your specific plan.
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Getting started is simple! Reach out through my contact form or call to schedule a free consultation—I will walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.
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I think the most important thing that sets me apart from other qualified and compassionate therapists is that I myself live with chronic pain, illness, and health uncertainty. I know first hand what it’s like to navigate these challenges, and I also understand why more generalized approaches to therapy tend to fall short for those of us with unpredictable bodies. My lived experience combined with my extensive clinical experience means I really get it.
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You can reach me anytime through my contact form, via email, or by phone. I aim to respond within one business day. I know that once you’re ready to get started, you will want to get things moving forward right away.
You don’t have to navigate chronic illness alone.
Are you ready to talk more about how therapy can help?
