Chronic Illness Therapists in 75251
![Photo of Deborah Holt, PhD, LMFT-S, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/827943c6-917a-4043-85cf-c775a9d77504/1/320x400.jpeg)
Deliberate care and maturation of the couple relationship is necessary for the well-being of the overall couple/family system and the quality of your life(s). Sustaining an intimate and healthy marriage or partnership demands intentional acts and ongoing effort. Inevitable conflicts may arise from diverse familial and cultural backgrounds, lived experiences, traumas, attachments, beliefs and core values, and varied methodologies of communication and conflict resolution. Daily challenges and life’s adversities may hinder the closeness and connection between partners, as it can activate the vicious cycle couples get caught in.
Deliberate care and maturation of the couple relationship is necessary for the well-being of the overall couple/family system and the quality of your life(s). Sustaining an intimate and healthy marriage or partnership demands intentional acts and ongoing effort. Inevitable conflicts may arise from diverse familial and cultural backgrounds, lived experiences, traumas, attachments, beliefs and core values, and varied methodologies of communication and conflict resolution. Daily challenges and life’s adversities may hinder the closeness and connection between partners, as it can activate the vicious cycle couples get caught in.
![Photo of Sharla Austin, MS, Marriage & Family Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/7d4ebd78-bfed-43a3-973c-d1f751b017d9/3/320x400.jpeg)
Relationships are complicated and often bring emotional pain, loneliness, anxiety, and discouragement. Committing to someone requires courage and strength. I work with couples, families, and individuals applying the principles of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) which is a research-based treatment for clients seeking emotional connection and fulfillment in relationships. EFT helps clients understand the interactional patterns that cause emotional disconnection. I would love to offer you these tools, deeper understanding, and helpful insight as you seek to repair your most important relationships.
Relationships are complicated and often bring emotional pain, loneliness, anxiety, and discouragement. Committing to someone requires courage and strength. I work with couples, families, and individuals applying the principles of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) which is a research-based treatment for clients seeking emotional connection and fulfillment in relationships. EFT helps clients understand the interactional patterns that cause emotional disconnection. I would love to offer you these tools, deeper understanding, and helpful insight as you seek to repair your most important relationships.
![Photo of Rayne L. Ventimiglia, LCSW, Clinical Social Work/Therapist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/4a9cfd5a-aa8c-44b0-a170-955af3adfb4b/4/320x400.jpeg)
Rayne L. Ventimiglia
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Dallas, TX 75251
On the surface it looks like anger or constant irritation, but beneath the turbulent current of destructive behaviors are emotions like sadness and grief, pain, sorrow and fear. Anger is much more preferable if a lot of your life you have felt powerless or helpless. As you might be figuring out, the power of intense, uncontrollable anger only leads to self-destruction and can deeply hurts others. Self-destruction can look a lot like being stuck, resistance to change even when miserable, using substances, or being undisciplined. It can feel lonely.
On the surface it looks like anger or constant irritation, but beneath the turbulent current of destructive behaviors are emotions like sadness and grief, pain, sorrow and fear. Anger is much more preferable if a lot of your life you have felt powerless or helpless. As you might be figuring out, the power of intense, uncontrollable anger only leads to self-destruction and can deeply hurts others. Self-destruction can look a lot like being stuck, resistance to change even when miserable, using substances, or being undisciplined. It can feel lonely.
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Chronic Illness Therapists
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 behavioral 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.