Therapy for Chronic Illness
in Falls Church, VA
Virtual therapy available in Virginia and Washington, DC
Living with chronic illness can change the way you experience your body, your identity, and your day-to-day life. Over time, through diagnosis, treatment, or ongoing symptoms, you may find yourself feeling disconnected, uncertain, or not quite like yourself. Even things that once felt familiar can begin to feel harder to access or understand.
Therapy for chronic illness can help you slow down enough to make sense of what’s happening, grieve what’s changed, reconnect with yourself in a way that honors where you are right now, and move forward with greater clarity and support.
Therapy for chronic illness may be helpful for you if…
You’re adjusting to and trying to make sense of a new diagnosis
You feel disconnected from your body or unsure how to trust it
Your sense of identity has shifted, and you’re not quite sure who you are now
Illness has affected your relationships, intimacy, or sense of connection to others
You’re grieving the loss of how things used to be - your health, your independence, or your plans for the future
You want support in making sense of your experience, and finding a way forward that feels more sustainable
Your relationship with your body feels complicated, frustrating, or unfamiliar
You’re trying to find a new rhythm or way of living, and it’s hard to settle into
You’re navigating the emotional impact of diagnosis, treatment, or uncertainty
You feel overwhelmed, isolated, and like others don’t understand
Therapy can help
Over time, it’s possible to begin moving from…
Feeling disconnected from your body → Cultivating a kinder, more trusting relationship with your body
Feeling like you’ve lost yourself → Reconnecting with who you are now
Feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty → Finding steadiness in navigating the unknown
Grieving how things used to be → Finding space for loss and what is still possible
Feeling isolated or misunderstood → Feeling more supported and seen
Feeling defined by your illness → Reconnecting with a fuller sense of yourself beyond it
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In our work together…
We’ll dig beneath the surface and begin to understand your relationship with your body, your identity, and your changing needs. Together, we’ll explore ways to reconnect with yourself and navigate your experience with more compassion and support.
Meet your chronic illness therapist in Falls Church, VA
Virtual therapy available throughout Virginia and Washington, DC
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Hi, I’m Lauren. I’m a therapist who supports individuals and partners navigating the emotional, physical, and relational impact of illness - helping you genuinely reconnect with yourself and your life.
You might be noticing that something in your life feels different - your body doesn’t feel as familiar, your energy or capacity has decreased, or your sense of identity feels less certain than it once did. Maybe you’re grieving how things used to be, feeling frustrated or disconnected from your body, or unsure how to move forward in a way that feels sustainable. If you’re here, there’s likely a part of you that’s looking for a way to make sense of what’s changed and find your footing again.
In our work together, we’ll take time to make sense of what’s been happening emotionally, physically, and in your day-to-day life. Rather than trying to push through or “fix” what’s happening, we’ll approach your experience with curiosity and care, exploring patterns that may be adding to stress or disconnection and finding new ways of relating to your body and your life that feel aligned with your values.
I also bring a strong focus on how illness can impact identity, relationships, intimacy, and your sense of self. My work is LGBTQ+ affirming, sex-positive, kink-allied, and trauma-informed, and I welcome clients of all identities, bodies, and relationship structures.
What therapy looks like with me
A thoughtful starting pointWe’ll begin with an intake process that helps me understand your experience - your health history, what’s been changing, and what’s bringing you in. This is a space for your full story, including both the medical and emotional parts of what you’re navigating.
A collaborative shared processYou are the expert on your own experience. Together, we’ll explore what you’re hoping for and shape goals that feel meaningful, realistic, and aligned with your needs, your body, and your life. You’ll provide feedback on suggested exercises and be a decision-maker throughout the therapy process.
Making sense of what's changedWe’ll take time to understand the impact of illness on your body, your identity, your relationships, and your day-to-day life, so you can begin to make sense of your experience with more clarity and compassion.
An integrative and evidence-based approachI draw from approaches such as ACT, IFS-informed parts work, mindfulness, somatic therapies, and relational frameworks, tailoring our work to what resonates most with you.
Navigating grief, uncertainty, and adjustmentWe’ll gently explore the grief, frustration, or uncertainty that can come with chronic illness. We’ll work to rebuild trust in your body, explore your changing needs, and reconnect with a sense of self that feels authentic to who you are now.
Between-session reflection and practiceAt times, I may offer exercises or reflections to try between sessions—nothing overwhelming, just opportunities to bring what we’re exploring into your day-to-day life. I also ask for your input on these exercises to be sure they fit into your lives and your goals.
Get answers in my
FAQs
Curious to learn more?
If you have more questions, take a look at my FAQ page. There, you can find answers to common questions about therapy, fees, services, and how to get started on the FAQ page.
Ready to get started?
Book a free consultation with me
I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation as a chance for us to connect and confirm that working together feels like a good fit. Therapy can feel like a big step, so there’s no pressure and no expectation to have the “right” words. Wherever you are, I’ll meet you there.
→ Request a consultation
Schedule your first appointment
Toward the end of our call, we’ll talk through next steps for scheduling your first appointment. We’ll find a time that fits your schedule, and I’ll take care of getting everything set up.
Get the support you’re looking for
In our work together, we’ll draw from evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, mindfulness, and somatic therapies, tailoring the process to your needs. We’ll take time to make sense of what’s been happening beneath the surface, create space for honest reflection, and begin building a more supportive relationship with your body and your life.
