Chronic Illness Therapists in West Kelowna, BC
My goal is to help people journey towards a better quality of life despite chronic illness, fatigue, pain, or disability.
Do you struggle with anxiety, chronic illness, pain, or grief that affects your day-to-day life, relationships, and ability to find balance? Do you feel exhausted by the challenges of managing mental health or overwhelmed by the pressure to meet other's standards? Do you hope for a better, more integrated approach to your well-being? Now more than ever, individuals seeking a holistic approach to health and mental wellness are feeling uncertain about overcoming personal challenges. I believe that living better shouldn't be so hard, change is possible, and there's hope and answers.
My goal is to help people journey towards a better quality of life despite chronic illness, fatigue, pain, or disability.
Do you struggle with anxiety, chronic illness, pain, or grief that affects your day-to-day life, relationships, and ability to find balance? Do you feel exhausted by the challenges of managing mental health or overwhelmed by the pressure to meet other's standards? Do you hope for a better, more integrated approach to your well-being? Now more than ever, individuals seeking a holistic approach to health and mental wellness are feeling uncertain about overcoming personal challenges. I believe that living better shouldn't be so hard, change is possible, and there's hope and answers.
Art therapy offers the opportunity to express yourself and explore your experiences through the use of materials, art making, and imagery. Anyone can benefit from art therapy whether it is to help you gain insight, improve your self esteem, manage stress, anxiety, life transitions, or to help you cope with ongoing difficulties. Art Therapy can be helpful for processing stressful and traumatic experiences by offering a physical and tangible way to process these experiences.
Art therapy offers the opportunity to express yourself and explore your experiences through the use of materials, art making, and imagery. Anyone can benefit from art therapy whether it is to help you gain insight, improve your self esteem, manage stress, anxiety, life transitions, or to help you cope with ongoing difficulties. Art Therapy can be helpful for processing stressful and traumatic experiences by offering a physical and tangible way to process these experiences.
Clients are provided with a person-centred approach based on 6 core conditions empathy, non-judgment, unconditional positive regard, congruence, genuineness, and authenticity. From my holistic training in EMDR, IFS DBT, and Trauma-informed Polyvagal Yoga therapy, I can support clients in navigating mental health symptoms and reduce uncomfortable body sensations and develop a deeper connection to their body. I hope to provide a trusting, safe, and grounded place for my clients to feel and talk about the discomfort needed to heal both the mind and the body. I offer mental health presentations for your company too!
Clients are provided with a person-centred approach based on 6 core conditions empathy, non-judgment, unconditional positive regard, congruence, genuineness, and authenticity. From my holistic training in EMDR, IFS DBT, and Trauma-informed Polyvagal Yoga therapy, I can support clients in navigating mental health symptoms and reduce uncomfortable body sensations and develop a deeper connection to their body. I hope to provide a trusting, safe, and grounded place for my clients to feel and talk about the discomfort needed to heal both the mind and the body. I offer mental health presentations for your company too!
Meena Bolla Singh
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
West Kelowna, BC V4T (Online Only)
I presently exclusively offer online sessions while working closely with a dedicated team at Strength Counselling Services. As the Clinical Team Lead and Registered Social Worker, I am firmly grounded in social work values of respecting the inherent dignity and worth of a person, promoting social justice and challenging oppressive systems with the goal to decolonize mental health. I passionately lead with a trauma-informed approach, honouring each person who invites me to walk alongside their journey of healing. Working with me, you can expect to experience my sense of humour, warmth, gentle-challenging, and honesty.
I presently exclusively offer online sessions while working closely with a dedicated team at Strength Counselling Services. As the Clinical Team Lead and Registered Social Worker, I am firmly grounded in social work values of respecting the inherent dignity and worth of a person, promoting social justice and challenging oppressive systems with the goal to decolonize mental health. I passionately lead with a trauma-informed approach, honouring each person who invites me to walk alongside their journey of healing. Working with me, you can expect to experience my sense of humour, warmth, gentle-challenging, and honesty.
With over 25 years experience in health care, Coleen is passionate about empowering and helping clients to regain peace of mind and find balance in their lives. She is non-judgemental, empathetic, and provides a safe and trustworthy environment that lends well to building a trusting therapeutic relationship with her clients. Using an all encompassing approach, she looks at every aspect of her clients lives, including their physical and mental health as well as their social supports to create a unique individualized treatment plan for each client. Coleen uses a trauma informed lens to help her client who struggle with trauma & more.
With over 25 years experience in health care, Coleen is passionate about empowering and helping clients to regain peace of mind and find balance in their lives. She is non-judgemental, empathetic, and provides a safe and trustworthy environment that lends well to building a trusting therapeutic relationship with her clients. Using an all encompassing approach, she looks at every aspect of her clients lives, including their physical and mental health as well as their social supports to create a unique individualized treatment plan for each client. Coleen uses a trauma informed lens to help her client who struggle with trauma & more.
Jenn Medwedew
Counsellor, MACP, RCC
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
West Kelowna, BC V1Z
Waitlist for new clients
Approximately 2-3 month waitlist. Are you looking to make a positive change in your life towards mental health and wellness? I have a passion and great respect for the uniqueness and individuality of each client. I trust in your ability to heal and I am honoured to be a witness and guide in this process - the real work occurs within you. I have a gentle and calm nature but am skilled at compassionately challenging you towards growth and change. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (Level II), and I also bring depth to the counselling room with over 15 years of experience in health care as a Registered Pharmacist.
Approximately 2-3 month waitlist. Are you looking to make a positive change in your life towards mental health and wellness? I have a passion and great respect for the uniqueness and individuality of each client. I trust in your ability to heal and I am honoured to be a witness and guide in this process - the real work occurs within you. I have a gentle and calm nature but am skilled at compassionately challenging you towards growth and change. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (Level II), and I also bring depth to the counselling room with over 15 years of experience in health care as a Registered Pharmacist.
Multidisciplinary team of psychologists (R. Psych), registered social workers (RSW), registered clinical counsellors (RCC), resisted massage therapist (RMT) that provide a broad range of services tailored to the client.
Multidisciplinary team of psychologists (R. Psych), registered social workers (RSW), registered clinical counsellors (RCC), resisted massage therapist (RMT) that provide a broad range of services tailored to the client.
Accepting New Clients - Have you lost hope and are feeling overwhelmed and not sure how to move forward? Finding that stress and anxiety are interfering with your day-to-day life? Grieving the loss of someone important to you, or the loss of a dream? Feeling frustrated, numb, or disconnected? We often need support but do not know where to look next. You deserve to be heard and understood. I will meet you wherever you are in your healing journey with an open mind and caring heart. Together, we will shine a light in those dark places and hold safe space for you there – to feel, heal, and navigate the way forward.
Accepting New Clients - Have you lost hope and are feeling overwhelmed and not sure how to move forward? Finding that stress and anxiety are interfering with your day-to-day life? Grieving the loss of someone important to you, or the loss of a dream? Feeling frustrated, numb, or disconnected? We often need support but do not know where to look next. You deserve to be heard and understood. I will meet you wherever you are in your healing journey with an open mind and caring heart. Together, we will shine a light in those dark places and hold safe space for you there – to feel, heal, and navigate the way forward.
Living with ADHD is so exhausting! You walk around everyday trying to escape the hamster wheel that just won't stop spinning. And worst, you have to mask around others just to appear "normal". You are drowning in even the simplest of tasks; living out of a laundry basket of unfolded clothes with day three of unwashed hair and did you even eat today? Life feels like chaos all the time! Did I mention the focus and time? Your probably even reading this after doom scrolling for the past three hours. But don't beat yourself up because of it. I'm Neurodivergent too; and I understand! Life doesn’t have to fit together perfectly like Lego!
Living with ADHD is so exhausting! You walk around everyday trying to escape the hamster wheel that just won't stop spinning. And worst, you have to mask around others just to appear "normal". You are drowning in even the simplest of tasks; living out of a laundry basket of unfolded clothes with day three of unwashed hair and did you even eat today? Life feels like chaos all the time! Did I mention the focus and time? Your probably even reading this after doom scrolling for the past three hours. But don't beat yourself up because of it. I'm Neurodivergent too; and I understand! Life doesn’t have to fit together perfectly like Lego!
Naomi Laurin
Registered Social Worker, BA Psyc, MSW, RSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
West Kelowna, BC V4T
Not accepting new clients
I have always been passionate about connecting with people and learning from their experiences, which has shaped my dedication to mental health support. Before earning my Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work, I served as a paid-on-call firefighter with my local rural fire department for nearly 8 years. This time gave me deep respect for the resilience and camaraderie that defines first responder culture. Recognizing the need for clinicians who truly understand this world, I merged my passions for firefighting and mental health to specialize in supporting first responders.
I have always been passionate about connecting with people and learning from their experiences, which has shaped my dedication to mental health support. Before earning my Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work, I served as a paid-on-call firefighter with my local rural fire department for nearly 8 years. This time gave me deep respect for the resilience and camaraderie that defines first responder culture. Recognizing the need for clinicians who truly understand this world, I merged my passions for firefighting and mental health to specialize in supporting first responders.
More Therapists Nearby
Ashley Phillips
Counsellor, MEd, CCC
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Kelowna, BC V1Z
Waitlist for new clients
Life is filled with ups and downs. I can help you manage stress, anxiety, depression, eating disorders / disordered eating including binge eating, emotional / overeating, and unhealthy relationships with food, body image issues, and coping with chronic Illness.
Life is filled with ups and downs. I can help you manage stress, anxiety, depression, eating disorders / disordered eating including binge eating, emotional / overeating, and unhealthy relationships with food, body image issues, and coping with chronic Illness.
Christine Selder
Counsellor, MEd, RCC, SEP
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Kelowna, BC V1Z (Online Only)
I work with individuals across the lifespan, from adolescents to mature adults, who are managing issues such as trauma, illness (including chronic and complex illness), relationships, anxiety, sensory sensitivities, and the full range of nervous system expressions of dysregulation. I guide people on the journey of discovering the wisdom of their bodies and its impetus to find regulation and wellness. We use physiological cues and clues to guide the session along with dialogue, imagery and at times movement. We take pieces in a paced and tolerable way to build capacity and safety within the context of change.
I work with individuals across the lifespan, from adolescents to mature adults, who are managing issues such as trauma, illness (including chronic and complex illness), relationships, anxiety, sensory sensitivities, and the full range of nervous system expressions of dysregulation. I guide people on the journey of discovering the wisdom of their bodies and its impetus to find regulation and wellness. We use physiological cues and clues to guide the session along with dialogue, imagery and at times movement. We take pieces in a paced and tolerable way to build capacity and safety within the context of change.
Cherise Lowe Illuminate Clinical Therapy
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, BSW, MSW, RSW, RCC
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Westbank, BC V4T
Do you find yourself circling around the same issues, or struggling to overcome one particular problem, despite a lot of effort to change? I get how exhausting and sometimes hopeless that place can feel. I work with my clients to drill to the core of what is perpetuating current issues, so that together we create not just coping, but healing. By treating problems at this root level, clients often report having a sense of freedom beyond what they've experienced before. I utilize a combination of therapeutic techniques, however my specialization is in Accelerate Resolution Therapy (ART).
Do you find yourself circling around the same issues, or struggling to overcome one particular problem, despite a lot of effort to change? I get how exhausting and sometimes hopeless that place can feel. I work with my clients to drill to the core of what is perpetuating current issues, so that together we create not just coping, but healing. By treating problems at this root level, clients often report having a sense of freedom beyond what they've experienced before. I utilize a combination of therapeutic techniques, however my specialization is in Accelerate Resolution Therapy (ART).
Whether you seek skills acquisition, introspection, or a safe place to have a voice, I invite you to experience the benefits of taking time to invest in you! Our physical health and mental health are wonderfully connected. Our ability to be self and other aware greatly increases the options and knowledge we have to achieve our goals. My goal is to meet you where you are as you navigate the intersections of life before you.
Whether you seek skills acquisition, introspection, or a safe place to have a voice, I invite you to experience the benefits of taking time to invest in you! Our physical health and mental health are wonderfully connected. Our ability to be self and other aware greatly increases the options and knowledge we have to achieve our goals. My goal is to meet you where you are as you navigate the intersections of life before you.
Erin is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with an undergraduate degree in Psychology, and a Masters degree in Counselling Psychology (MACP). She offers individual and couples therapy. In addition to general mental health counselling, she has specialized training in Exposure therapy for anxiety/panic disorder/phobias and EMDR therapy (if appropriate). In her couples therapy, she uses an Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) approach combined with tools taken from the Gottman Method. Erin takes a down-to-earth, empathetic, inclusive, and non-judgmental approach to counselling.
Erin is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with an undergraduate degree in Psychology, and a Masters degree in Counselling Psychology (MACP). She offers individual and couples therapy. In addition to general mental health counselling, she has specialized training in Exposure therapy for anxiety/panic disorder/phobias and EMDR therapy (if appropriate). In her couples therapy, she uses an Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) approach combined with tools taken from the Gottman Method. Erin takes a down-to-earth, empathetic, inclusive, and non-judgmental approach to counselling.
Making Strides Counselling and Wellness
Registered Social Worker, RSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Lake Country, BC V4V
Are you feeling anxious, depressed, insecure, angry, or overwhelmed? Are you struggling to feel balanced, to manage your stress and build healthier relationships? Are you lost or stuck on the road to what you know deep down is your true self and best life? Imagine how far you could go and how easy it would be if you turned your steps into strides. As a registered social worker with over 15 years of counselling experience, it begins by you pushing aside the stigmas of mental health, reaching out for support, and confronting your fears. I am here to guide you along that path that most of us find confusing and overwhelming.
Are you feeling anxious, depressed, insecure, angry, or overwhelmed? Are you struggling to feel balanced, to manage your stress and build healthier relationships? Are you lost or stuck on the road to what you know deep down is your true self and best life? Imagine how far you could go and how easy it would be if you turned your steps into strides. As a registered social worker with over 15 years of counselling experience, it begins by you pushing aside the stigmas of mental health, reaching out for support, and confronting your fears. I am here to guide you along that path that most of us find confusing and overwhelming.
I invite you to come to a safe space to gather strategies and tools that can help to strengthen your own knowing and can gently guide you back to your intelligent heart. During these uncertain times, it can be comforting to find someone to collaborate with to regain a sense of direction, hope, and stability.
I invite you to come to a safe space to gather strategies and tools that can help to strengthen your own knowing and can gently guide you back to your intelligent heart. During these uncertain times, it can be comforting to find someone to collaborate with to regain a sense of direction, hope, and stability.
Wayfinding Psychology by Dr. Megan Suehn, R. Psych
Psychologist, PhD, RPsych
Verified Verified
Okanagan Centre, BC V4V (Online Only)
Affirming LGBTQIA+ people of all ethnicities and backgrounds. Recovery from grief, & life transitions of career shifts or immigration. Revitalization from burnout and trauma. Strengthening marriages, families, & other relationships for success. Supporting front line workers like police, nurses, doctors, therapists, & other caregivers. I help you integrate aspects of your identity and learn to navigate more comfortable, safer, and healthier relationships with family, friends, and community. Helping you grow into your favourite self: from one member of the queer community to another. (Please note: I only offer online counselling).
Affirming LGBTQIA+ people of all ethnicities and backgrounds. Recovery from grief, & life transitions of career shifts or immigration. Revitalization from burnout and trauma. Strengthening marriages, families, & other relationships for success. Supporting front line workers like police, nurses, doctors, therapists, & other caregivers. I help you integrate aspects of your identity and learn to navigate more comfortable, safer, and healthier relationships with family, friends, and community. Helping you grow into your favourite self: from one member of the queer community to another. (Please note: I only offer online counselling).
I specialize in providing supervision, somatic, and psychedelic-assisted therapy for individuals seeking support in navigating trauma and its profound impact on their lives. With a deep understanding of trauma-informed care and a commitment to ethical practice, I offer a safe and supportive space for therapists and clients alike to explore the healing potential of psychedelics as a self-exploration or within a medically supervised situation. As a seasoned supervisor, I provide guidance and mentorship to therapists seeking to integrate psychedelic therapy into their practice.
I specialize in providing supervision, somatic, and psychedelic-assisted therapy for individuals seeking support in navigating trauma and its profound impact on their lives. With a deep understanding of trauma-informed care and a commitment to ethical practice, I offer a safe and supportive space for therapists and clients alike to explore the healing potential of psychedelics as a self-exploration or within a medically supervised situation. As a seasoned supervisor, I provide guidance and mentorship to therapists seeking to integrate psychedelic therapy into their practice.
Megan DeSimone, The Life Balance Counselling
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, BSW, MSW, RSW, MTC
Verified Verified
5 Endorsed
Lake Country, BC V4V
I have a Bachelor and Master's Degree in Social Work from UBC and over 23 years experience helping others with mental health, addictions, and relationship issues in a variety of health care, community and social service settings. When you come in for counselling support, I start by creating a relaxed atmosphere where you feel safe and reassured that you've found someone who can help you truly face the issues you're experiencing. Sometimes, the stress of life can be overwhelming and your world becomes very narrow.
I have a Bachelor and Master's Degree in Social Work from UBC and over 23 years experience helping others with mental health, addictions, and relationship issues in a variety of health care, community and social service settings. When you come in for counselling support, I start by creating a relaxed atmosphere where you feel safe and reassured that you've found someone who can help you truly face the issues you're experiencing. Sometimes, the stress of life can be overwhelming and your world becomes very narrow.
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How does therapy for chronic illness work?
Many people living with a chronic illness may feel they cannot speak honestly about their experience out of embarrassment or fear of being a burden, or because those close to them do not understand, for example, that they may “look good” even if they do not feel good. Therapy sessions are an opportunity to speak openly with someone who knows their symptoms are not in their head and who can offer practical, proven suggestions for managing feelings of grief, shame, or fatigue, such as techniques to challenge unhelpful thoughts about symptoms and develop new ways to respond to them, such as distraction or calming breathing practices.
Can therapy help with physical symptoms of chronic illness?
Yes, especially if an individual with chronic illness has developed depression. People with depression are less likely to maintain their health treatment regimens or to take positive steps to manage physical symptoms when they arise, thereby potentially complicating their medical prognosis. Treatment of depression, through talk therapy, medication, or both, will often improve one’s physical state as it eases the emotional burden of illness.
What are the most effective treatment options for chronic illness?
No one living with a chronic illness, or their loved ones, should see depression as an unavoidable result of their condition. Instead, they should actively seek treatment. Research shows that people with depression are less likely to devote the required time and effort to maintaining or monitoring their health, and so therapy to limit the risk of depression can be vital for physical health as well. Therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction have been found to help individuals reduce stress and anxiety.
How long does therapy for chronic illness take?
There is no set timeline for therapy for people living with chronic illnesses, but many will see a therapist for a number of weeks or months, typically spanning at least 12 weekly sessions. Some people feel that they experience progress faster than others but even some who quickly feel improvement may continue with sessions for months or years. Some people may benefit from maintenance therapy if their symptoms change or they experience a decline in physical health. Others find that the skills learned in short-term therapy can be used on an ongoing basis, even after therapy has concluded.