The Chronic Illness Therapists Podcast
is meant to be a place where people with chronic illnesses can come to feel heard, seen, and safe while listening to mental health therapists and other medical professionals talk about the realities of treating complex medical conditions.
Want to be a guest on the podcast?
Currently accepting requests from other mental health therapists and other health professionals who specialize in chronic illness and pain.
Just fill out the form below, and I’ll reach out to you to discuss next steps!
The Chronic Illness Therapists Podcast
Have you ever wondered how a therapist can actually help you with your chronic illness?…
Does seeing a therapist make you feel like “it’s all in your head?”
Listen in while I interview therapists across the world who specialize in chronic illness. Our goal is to demystify the therapy process, so you can finally get the help and support that you deserve.
New episodes air every two weeks on Fridays on Apple, Google, and Spotify.
Want to suggest a topic for the podcast? Just fill out this form to tell me what you'd like to hear about!
Below you'll find all my newest blog posts. I write about lots of different topics - sometimes about things I discuss in my podcast episodes, and other times just sharing thoughts and ideas that aren't connected to the podcast. Take a look and enjoy!
How Family Dynamics Shape Your Medical Relationships: Finding Your Voice
Discover how family dynamics can shape your voice, health, and relationships in this powerful conversation with marriage and family therapist, Dr. Jackie Williams-Reade. Learn how assumed family roles impact self-advocacy, especially in medical settings. We discuss actionable tips to set boundaries, use your voice confidently, and start healing generational patterns.
Finding Purpose Through Pain: A Therapist's Journey with Chronic Illness
After giving birth during the pandemic, therapist Danielle L. McDowell, LPC, began an unexpected journey with chronic illness that reshaped her life and work. As her symptoms disrupted her thriving practice, she learned to give herself grace, redefine success, and find purpose in pain. Her story offers hope, empathy, and insight for anyone living with chronic conditions.
Trusting Yourself: A Conversation on Women's Health Advocacy with Kara Cruz
In this conversation, Kara Cruz, LMFT, PMH-C, shares expert insights on perinatal mental health, postpartum anxiety, and women's mental health. She discusses the importance of trusting yourself and offers practical strategies for self-advocacy in medical and mental health care settings.
The Five Root Causes of Chronic Fatigue: Insights from Dr. Jenny Tufenkian
Discover the five root causes of chronic fatigue, long COVID, and other complex conditions in this insightful conversation with Dr. Jenny Tufenkian, a naturopathic physician with over 20 years of experience. Learn how identifying these root causes can help you find a path to healing.
Bigger than Pain: Insights on Improving Movement, Sleep, and Healing with David McGettigan
David McGettigan, a pain and movement specialist, has helped countless individuals who’ve been overlooked by traditional medicine. With over 15 years of experience and clinics in Ireland and Iceland, he combines evidence-based techniques with a compassionate approach to chronic pain and mobility. Discover his insights on improving movement, sleep, and long-term healing for those managing chronic illness.
Strength Training For Fibromyalgia with Rachel Smith, MS, CPT
This article examines key insights from Rachel Smith, MS, CPT, a personal trainer specializing in chronic illness. Her evidence-based approach to fibromyalgia management offers valuable perspectives on exercise adaptation for chronic pain conditions. Smith's professional journey from middle school teacher to fibromyalgia patient to specialized fitness expert provides a framework for understanding the intersection of chronic pain and physical activity.
Why It's Not Just About Eliminating Foods: The Truth About IBS and Nutrition
Struggling with IBS? Simply eliminating foods won’t fix the root cause of your digestive issues. Learn why restrictive diets can do more harm than good and how working with a gut health dietitian can help you heal your gut, manage symptoms effectively, and restore food freedom.
Understanding Attachment Styles and Chronic Illness: Insights from Miranda Campbell LCSW
Discover how attachment styles impact chronic illness management in this conversation with Miranda Campbell, LCSW. Learn how anxious, avoidant, and disorganized attachment patterns shape relationships, caregiving, and self-care—and how to move toward secure attachment for better support and resilience.
Ep 80: Movement Shouldn't Make Your Body Feel Worse w/ Monica Blied, PhD, MACL, BSP
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.
The Realities of a Child's Chronic Illness: Insurance, Support, and Advocacy
Navigating a child’s chronic illness can be overwhelming, from medical uncertainties to financial strain and educational challenges. In Episode 79 of the Chronic Illness Therapist podcast, therapists Destiny Davis and Ronda Thorington discuss advocacy, insurance resources, and the power of parental expertise in securing the best care. Learn how to navigate this journey with confidence and support.
Building Trust and Safety: What to Look for in a Disability-Affirming Therapist
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.
Ep 73: The Wellness Trap: Rethinking Chronic Illness, Healing, and Accessibility with Grace Quantock
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.
Ep 71: How Universal Design Benefits Everyone with Tiffany Yu
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.