Here's the thing about living in a chronically ill or painful body: most people don't get it. They don't understand that some days, just getting out of bed feels like running a marathon. They don't get that we can't just "push through" or that what worked yesterday might not work today. And that's okay – they don't need to understand. But YOU need to understand and honor where your body is at.

In episode 78 of The Chronic Illness Therapists Podcast, Samantha Allweiss, LCSW, and Niki Colon, LSW, discuss the intersection of mental health, chronic illness, and trauma and the importance of finding a therapist that honors your physical and mental experience. Together, they explore how moving beyond traditional talk therapy to embrace the mind-body connection can create new pathways for healing.

Grace Quantock is a renowned counselor and author of Living Well with Chronic Illness: Write your own road map to healing in tough times. In this interview, she discusses the pitfalls of the “bootstrap wellness narrative” and presents new approaches to individualized wellness routines.

Tiffany Yu is a disability advocate, author, and community builder who has dedicated her career to creating a more inclusive world. Drawing from her own background and experiences, Yu advocates for inclusive design and highlights how universal access benefits all.