Top-Rated Chicago Chronic Illness Therapist
Takeaway: Living with a chronic health condition can feel isolating and exhausting—physically, emotionally, and mentally. At Still Oak Counseling in Chicago, I help adults navigate the anxiety, grief, and identity shifts that come with chronic illness. Together, we’ll process your experiences, honor the parts of you that may hold conflicting emotions, and build self-compassion so you can move forward with purpose. Contact me when you’re ready to begin.
Meet your Chicago chronic pain therapist
Elizabeth Bodett Dresser, LCPC
Offers chronic illness counseling ✓
Credentials: Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Clientele: Adults navigating autoimmune disorders, chronic pain, and hormonal imbalances
Location: Chicago, IL 60602
Virtual therapy?: Yes
Examples of chronic illnesses
Autoimmune disorders (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto's, Crohn's disease, MS)
Chronic pain conditions (fibromyalgia, migraines, chronic back pain)
Endometriosis and PCOS
Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
Long COVID
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Any ongoing condition that impacts your daily life and well-being
How chronic illness therapy can help
Process the grief and identity shifts
When your body changes, so does your sense of self. You might grieve the person you were before diagnosis, or the future you imagined. Therapy gives you space to acknowledge these losses without judgment. We'll help you reconnect with who you are now—not despite your illness, but as a whole person learning to navigate a new reality with compassion.
Manage the anxiety and uncertainty
Chronic illness comes with a lot of unknowns—How will I feel tomorrow? What if my symptoms flare up? What if people don't believe me? This constant vigilance is exhausting. In therapy, we'll work on calming your nervous system, challenging catastrophic thinking, and building tools to help you feel more grounded even when your body feels unpredictable.
Navigate complex emotions and relationships
It's hard to ask for help. It's frustrating when people don't get it. You might feel guilty for canceling plans, angry at your body, or worried about being a burden. Therapy helps you untangle these emotions, set boundaries without guilt, and communicate your needs to partners, family, and friends in ways that strengthen rather than strain your relationships.
Rebuild your sense of control and meaning
When so much feels outside your control, it's easy to lose sight of what matters to you. We'll work on identifying what you can influence, letting go of what you can't, and creating a life that feels meaningful even with limitations. You deserve a life that feels like yours, not one dictated entirely by your diagnosis.
What to expect from the therapy process
Starting therapy when you're already dealing with a chronic condition can feel like one more thing on your plate. I get it. Here's what working together typically looks like.
1. Initial consultation
We'll have a free 15-minute call to see if we're a good fit and answer any questions you have about the process.
2. First session
We'll talk about what brought you to therapy, what you're struggling with most, and what you're hoping will be different. No pressure to have it all figured out.
3. Building awareness
Early on, we'll work on connecting the dots between your physical symptoms, emotional patterns, and the stories you tell yourself about living with illness.
4. Developing coping strategies
You'll learn practical tools for managing anxiety, setting boundaries, and being kinder to yourself on hard days.
5. Deeper healing work
Using IFS (Internal Family Systems) therapy, we'll explore the parts of you that are trying to protect you—the perfectionist who won't slow down, the critic who says you're not doing enough, the part that feels ashamed of needing help.
6. Ongoing support
Therapy isn't about fixing you (you're not broken). It's about helping you trust yourself more, feel less alone, and build a life where you're not just surviving, but actually living.
FAQs about counseling for chronic health issues
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Yes, counseling for chronic illness is usually covered by insurance. I'm currently out-of-network with insurance companies, which means you'll pay for sessions upfront, and I can provide you with a superbill to submit for potential reimbursement.
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Absolutely. I'm happy to collaborate with your doctors, physical therapists, or other members of your care team (with your written consent, of course). Many clients find that therapy works best when it's part of a coordinated approach to their health. I can provide updates, share observations, or participate in care coordination meetings as needed.
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Not even a little bit. Your condition is real, your symptoms are real, and your experience is valid. Therapy isn't about questioning whether your illness is legitimate—it's about supporting you through the very real emotional and psychological impact of living with a chronic condition. Mind and body are connected, and taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health.
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Good question—finding the right therapist matters, especially when you're dealing with something as personal as chronic illness. Here's what might tell you we're a good match:
You're tired of putting on a brave face and want a space where you can be honest about how hard things are.
You appreciate a therapist who gets that high-achievers struggle to slow down, even when their body is screaming at them to rest.
You want someone who's trauma-informed and understands that chronic illness itself can be traumatic.
You're looking for more than surface-level coping strategies—you want to understand the deeper patterns that keep you stuck.
You value a therapist who brings warmth, realness, and the occasional well-timed joke to sessions.
The best way to know for sure is to schedule a free consultation call. We'll talk through what you're looking for and see if it feels like a good fit.
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Schedule a 15-minute phone consultation here to get started. We'll talk about what's going on, what you're hoping therapy will help with, and answer any questions you have. If it feels like a good fit, we'll schedule your first session.