Process Life

Living with a chronic illness—or fearing you might have one—can quietly take over your life. The constant monitoring of symptoms, the late‑night Googling, the exhaustion of medical appointments, and the fear of what might happen next can leave you feeling overwhelmed, isolated, and stuck in a cycle of worry. You may look “fine” on the outside, yet inside you’re carrying a weight that few people truly understand.

I offer specialist support for individuals navigating chronic health conditions, medically unexplained symptoms, and health anxiety. Together, we create space for your fears, your frustration, your grief, and your hope—so you can reclaim a sense of safety, steadiness, and control in your life.

What Is Chronic Illness & Health Anxiety?

Chronic illness refers to long‑term physical health conditions such as:

• Autoimmune disorders
• Chronic pain conditions
• ME/CFS or fibromyalgia
• Long COVID
• Gastrointestinal conditions
• Neurological or endocrine disorders
• Medically unexplained symptoms

These conditions often affect far more than the body. They can impact identity, relationships, work, confidence, and emotional wellbeing.

Health Anxiety

Health anxiety involves persistent worry about your health, symptoms, or the possibility of developing a serious illness. It can occur with or without a diagnosed medical condition.

People with health anxiety often:

• Monitor their body for signs of illness
• Seek frequent reassurance from doctors or loved ones
• Avoid medical settings altogether
• Feel overwhelmed by intrusive “what if” thoughts
• Struggle to trust their body or feel safe within it

Health anxiety is not “overreacting.” It is a real, distressing experience often rooted in trauma, uncertainty, or past medical experiences.

How Chronic Illness & Health Anxiety Can Present

Everyone’s experience is unique, but common emotional and physical patterns include:

Emotional Experiences

• Feeling overwhelmed, frightened, or out of control
• Fear of symptoms worsening or being misunderstood
• Grief for the life you had before illness
• Shame about needing rest or support
• Frustration with medical systems or lack of answers
• Feeling dismissed, gaslit, or unheard by professionals

Cognitive Patterns

• Catastrophic thinking (“What if this is something serious?”)
• Hypervigilance to bodily sensations
• Difficulty trusting medical reassurance
• Constant scanning for danger or decline
• Feeling stuck in cycles of reassurance‑seeking or avoidance

Behavioural Patterns

• Repeated checking of symptoms
• Excessive research or Googling
• Avoiding activities for fear of triggering symptoms
• Over‑pushing yourself on “good days”
• Withdrawing from social life due to fatigue or fear

Physical Experiences

• Fatigue, pain, tension, or flare‑ups
• Sleep disruption
• Digestive issues
• Panic symptoms that mimic illness
• Feeling disconnected from your body

These experiences are not “in your head.” They are real, valid, and often deeply linked to trauma, stress, and the nervous system.

How I Work With Chronic Illness & Health Anxiety

My approach is integrative, trauma‑informed, and grounded in compassion. I work collaboratively, at your pace, to help you feel safer in your body and more in control of your life.

1. Creating a Safe, Non‑Judgemental Space

Many clients come to me after feeling dismissed or misunderstood by professionals. Our work begins with being fully heard—your symptoms, your fears, your story, and your lived experience.

2. Understanding the Mind–Body Connection

We explore how chronic stress, trauma, and the nervous system can influence symptoms, pain, and anxiety. This is not about blaming the mind—it’s about empowering you with knowledge and tools.

3. Supporting Emotional Regulation

I help you:

• Reduce overwhelm
• Manage intrusive thoughts
• Soften catastrophic thinking
• Build a calmer internal environment
• Develop a more compassionate relationship with your body

We use grounding, mindfulness‑based strategies, and somatic awareness to help your system settle.

4. Rebuilding Trust in Your Body

Chronic illness and health anxiety often create a sense of betrayal or fear around bodily sensations. Together, we gently rebuild a sense of safety, connection, and trust.

5. Navigating Medical Systems & Uncertainty

We explore:

• The emotional impact of tests, appointments, and waiting
• How to advocate for yourself
• How to manage uncertainty without spiralling
• How to balance rest, pacing, and activity

6. Processing Trauma & Past Experiences

For many people, health anxiety is linked to:

• Past medical trauma
• Childhood experiences
• Loss or illness in the family
• Times when the body felt unsafe

We work sensitively with these experiences to reduce their ongoing impact.

7. Supporting Identity, Relationships & Daily Life

Chronic illness can reshape your sense of self. Together we explore:

• Identity changes
• Boundaries
• Self‑worth
• Grief and acceptance
• How to live a meaningful life alongside your condition

Who This Support Is For

This service is for you if:

• You live with a chronic health condition
• You’re experiencing medically unexplained symptoms
• You feel overwhelmed by health‑related fear or uncertainty
• You’ve been dismissed or misunderstood by professionals
• You want to feel calmer, more grounded, and more in control
• You’re ready to explore the emotional impact of your health

You don’t need a diagnosis to seek support. Your experience is enough.

You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone

Whether you’re managing a long‑term condition, living with uncertainty, or feeling trapped in cycles of worry, support is available. Together, we can help you feel steadier, more empowered, and more connected to your life again.