Chronic Illness Therapists in Dunedin
![Photo of Talia Norriss](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/5f595a04-29e1-4109-b509-139b039c67c1/3/320x400.jpeg)
5/5/24 Space available! I enjoy working with people from a diverse set of backgrounds and ages. I believe that therapy can bring meaningful change for those I work with. You may be wondering if therapy is the right approach for you, and not know where to start or what to say. That is completely normal! I aim to create a safe space where we can explore what brings you to therapy. I provide a personalised flexible approach to help people get the most out of sessions, and offer practical tools that can be used in everyday life. I offer sessions outside business hours for those who need flexibility. Christchurch or Online.
5/5/24 Space available! I enjoy working with people from a diverse set of backgrounds and ages. I believe that therapy can bring meaningful change for those I work with. You may be wondering if therapy is the right approach for you, and not know where to start or what to say. That is completely normal! I aim to create a safe space where we can explore what brings you to therapy. I provide a personalised flexible approach to help people get the most out of sessions, and offer practical tools that can be used in everyday life. I offer sessions outside business hours for those who need flexibility. Christchurch or Online.
![Photo of India Hughes-Chang, NZAC - Provisional, Counsellor](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/8a68257c-d8b1-47d5-834b-3f120d50503c/3/320x400.jpeg)
I am an experienced and passionate Counsellor specialised in working with children, teenagers, and young adults. I am committed to listening deeply to people and walking alongside them on their journey, whatever that may look like.
I am an experienced and passionate Counsellor specialised in working with children, teenagers, and young adults. I am committed to listening deeply to people and walking alongside them on their journey, whatever that may look like.
![Photo of Claire Thompson, MNZAC, Counsellor](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/a106b8c3-2bd9-4608-8e20-077ec641258a/2/320x400.jpeg)
Face to face (Auckland), online and phone appointments are available NZ and world wide.
Face to face (Auckland), online and phone appointments are available NZ and world wide.
![Photo of Megan Carter - Megan Carter, Ocean Psy Clinical Psychology , MPsych, Psychologist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/35012654-a8d5-4d19-bc95-74cb14f77d9d/3/320x400.jpeg)
Megan Carter, Ocean Psy Clinical Psychology
Psychologist, MPsych
Verified Verified
Dunedin 9018 (Online Only)
It takes a lot of courage to reach out to a person you don’t know to work through challenges. I will meet you with compassion, for you, and hold space for your human experiences. We will build safety and trust together as we seek to acknowledge, understand, heal, and integrate what you have been through. I am passionate about supporting the diverse humans I work with to build resilience, cope, and process their experiences. I support my clients to live a life where their minds are a bit kinder to them.
It takes a lot of courage to reach out to a person you don’t know to work through challenges. I will meet you with compassion, for you, and hold space for your human experiences. We will build safety and trust together as we seek to acknowledge, understand, heal, and integrate what you have been through. I am passionate about supporting the diverse humans I work with to build resilience, cope, and process their experiences. I support my clients to live a life where their minds are a bit kinder to them.
![Photo of Evelyn Shackley, MA, PBANZ, Psychotherapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/3dbfb17c-81af-4555-8353-e47e5c07cf04/1/320x400.jpeg)
I work with adults who struggle with relationships, bullying, alcohol, anxiety, and depression. Often my clients have been abused sexually, survived domestic violence and/or neglect in their childhood. This means clients might find it hard to be in close relationships, have a sense of 'being hollow inside', constantly worry about 'getting it wrong', find it hard to say no, be constantly busy, feel angry or frustrated at others, feel 'flat and rudderless' in life, and/or self-soothe (eg alcohol) to make life easier. I am interested in helping people process their psychobiography to feel more at peace.
I work with adults who struggle with relationships, bullying, alcohol, anxiety, and depression. Often my clients have been abused sexually, survived domestic violence and/or neglect in their childhood. This means clients might find it hard to be in close relationships, have a sense of 'being hollow inside', constantly worry about 'getting it wrong', find it hard to say no, be constantly busy, feel angry or frustrated at others, feel 'flat and rudderless' in life, and/or self-soothe (eg alcohol) to make life easier. I am interested in helping people process their psychobiography to feel more at peace.
![Photo of Patricia Pataki, MSc, PBANZ, Psychotherapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/537b8f93-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/3/320x400.jpeg)
I am a Nelson-based Psychotherapist offering short-term and long-term psychotherapy for adults, children and young people. My approach to working in therapy relies mainly on psychodynamic theories; meaning that I believe our early experiences (such as those encountered during our childhood and adolescence) have a significant impact on us. We may search for patterns in your life, to better understand what may be causing and perpetuating your problems. In long-term therapy it is crucial that you come to trust me, to share these often very personal memories and experiences.
I am a Nelson-based Psychotherapist offering short-term and long-term psychotherapy for adults, children and young people. My approach to working in therapy relies mainly on psychodynamic theories; meaning that I believe our early experiences (such as those encountered during our childhood and adolescence) have a significant impact on us. We may search for patterns in your life, to better understand what may be causing and perpetuating your problems. In long-term therapy it is crucial that you come to trust me, to share these often very personal memories and experiences.
![Photo of Aleksandra Gosteva, Psychologist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/001c2149-1874-445a-8f10-4fecd00db084/2/320x400.jpeg)
Aleksandra Gosteva
Psychologist
Verified Verified
Dunedin 9010 (Online Only)
Not accepting new clients
Alex is a New Zealand fully trained, Registered Occupational Health Psychologist. With her breadth of extensive training, research and internships, she has developed special interests in different areas of psychology. Alex's extensive training and experience allowed me to develop a commitment to excellence and appreciation of the vulnerability, diversity, and presentation of people. For her clients, her main assets are my approachable demeanour, emphasis on wellbeing, and straightforward appraisal of their unique needs and situation.
Alex is a New Zealand fully trained, Registered Occupational Health Psychologist. With her breadth of extensive training, research and internships, she has developed special interests in different areas of psychology. Alex's extensive training and experience allowed me to develop a commitment to excellence and appreciation of the vulnerability, diversity, and presentation of people. For her clients, her main assets are my approachable demeanour, emphasis on wellbeing, and straightforward appraisal of their unique needs and situation.
More Therapists Nearby
![Photo of Wendi Halligan, Counsellor](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/6706c959-a1f8-44ef-8452-8a08e2857cac/1/320x400.jpeg)
Hi I have been practicing working with people towards change for 17t years now. In counselling , group work, external supervision. During this time I have learnt a lot to put into my kete of knowledge to help with you to move forward to the life you will happy with.
Hi I have been practicing working with people towards change for 17t years now. In counselling , group work, external supervision. During this time I have learnt a lot to put into my kete of knowledge to help with you to move forward to the life you will happy with.
See more therapy options for Dunedin
Chronic Illness Counsellors
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.