Picture of Kirsty Corvan, therapist at Guided Growth

GUIDED GROWTH
COUNSELLING

Therapy for people living with

Chronic Illness.

Where you're finally heard, believed and respected.

Oh hi there!

I'm the face (and voice) behind Guided Growth Counselling – a BACP registered therapist who specializes in working with people living with chronic illness, pain, and fatigue.

If you're tired of:

Being told "but you don't look sick"
Having to justify your symptoms to healthcare providers
Feeling like your old life is slipping away
Struggling with an inner critic that says you're lazy or not trying hard enough

Then you've landed in exactly the right place.

I create a space where you can show up as you are – no masking pain, no pretending to be okay, no apologies needed for cancelling when your body says "not today." Just real, down-to-earth therapy that acknowledges your reality while helping you build a meaningful life on your terms.

About me

From Unheard to Empowered

Together, we'll work on moving you from feeling:

Dismissed → Validated
Uncertain → Confident
Isolated → Connected
Defined by illness → Living alongside it

No matter where you are in your chronic illness journey, whether newly diagnosed or managing long-term conditions, therapy can help you navigate the emotional impact and rebuild your relationship with yourself.

Come for a chat, stay for a change.

About Therapy

The Chronic Illness Therapy Blog

When Medical Gaslighting Meets Chronic Pain: The Endo Experience

Kirsty Corvan

Mar 64 min read

Living with Chronic Illness and your Ableist Inner Critic

Kirsty Corvan

Jan 264 min read

Setting Limits, Saving Spoons: The Importance of Boundaries for People Living with Chronic Illness

Kirsty Corvan

Dec 17, 20247 min read

What if everything you've believed about your worth as a spoonie is wrong? 👀

Living with chronic illness often means fighting an internal battle between what your body needs and what society expects.

That inner critic telling you that you're lazy for resting? The guilt you feel when prioritising yourself? That voice saying you're not enough because you can't "keep up"?

None of it is true. ✨

The reality is that chronic illness changes the rules—but it doesn't change your inherent value.

Your worth isn't measured by productivity. Your time isn't a currency to spend pleasing others. You deserve rest without justification.

As a therapist who specialises in working with millennials with chronic conditions (and lives with chronic pain myself), I've seen how transformative it can be when we finally quieten that inner critic.

Imagine moving through life confident in your decisions, setting boundaries without guilt, and feeling truly at peace with who you are—health challenges and all.

Ready to rebuild your relationship with yourself and discover what YOU really want from life? 💜

DM me "INTRO" to book your free 15-minute intro call so we can chat about working together.

#chronicillnesstherapy #spooniesupport #chronicpain #invisibleillness #selfworth #therapyforspoonies #dynamicdisability

That feeling when you're sitting in your car, hiding the wince as you shift positions, wondering if anyone actually gets it 👀

Living with chronic pain can feel like speaking a language no one else understands. The exhaustion of explaining why you cancelled plans (again). The frustration when someone suggests yoga will "fix everything." The inner critic that whispers maybe you're just weak or making it up.

I see you in that car with your coffee, taking a moment to yourself because sometimes that's all the energy you have. The quiet space where you don't have to pretend or explain why simple tasks feel impossible today. Where the mask can slip for just a second 💔

Here's the thing - I get it. Not just as a therapist, but as someone who lives with chronic pain too. That's why my therapy space is different. No medical jargon. No "just push through it" toxic positivity. Just real conversations where you don't have to mask your pain or justify your experience.

Your chronic illness has taken enough from you physically - your mental health doesn't have to suffer too.

Ready to work with someone who truly understands? DM me 'intro' for a free 15-minute call to see if we'd be a good fit to work together. ✨

#chronicillness #spooniesupport #chronicpain #invisibleillness #therapyforspoonies #spoonielife

When chronic illness takes over, it's more than just physical symptoms – it's the guilt, self-criticism, and feeling like your identity has been hijacked.

I'm Kirsty, and I get it. Having lived with chronic pain myself for nearly a decade, I know first-hand the emotional toll it takes when your life doesn't fit society's "productive" mould anymore.

I help millennials with chronic health conditions rebuild their relationship with themselves and quiet that inner critic that says they're lazy, lying, or not enough. Together, we'll work through:

Processing medical trauma and validating your experience

Managing the anger, grief, and anxiety that come with chronic illness

Building confidence to set boundaries that actually improve your relationships

Finding purpose again when everything feels uncertain

My approach? Down-to-earth, relational therapy without the BS or jargon. No toxic positivity here – just a space where you're heard, believed, and supported as you navigate the complicated emotions that come with chronic health challenges.

Living with chronic illness can be incredibly isolating, but you don't have to face the emotional burden alone. Ready to move from just surviving to actually thriving on your own terms?

DM me 'INTRO' for a FREE 15-minute call to see if we'd be a good fit to work together.

#chronicillness #spooniesupport #spoonielife #chronicillnesstherapy #dynamicdisability #invisibleillness #chronicpain #therapyforspoonies

The chronic pain pledge we make to ourselves every morning...and then promptly ignore 🙈

Anyone else constantly caught in this cycle? That moment when your body is literally SCREAMING at you to stop, but your brain's like "just one more thing" and then BAM - you're paying for it for days.

I've lost count of how many times I've done this exact thing. Just last week, I convinced myself I absolutely HAD to finish some work on the laptop despite my pain flaring. The satisfaction of getting it done hadn't even arrived before the pain really kicked in... and then I spent the weekend horizontal on the sofa with heat packs wondering why I'm like this 🫠

The truth is, we've been conditioned to push through pain. To believe rest is lazy. To feel guilty when we're not being "productive". It's that ableist rubbish that measures our worth by what we accomplish rather than who we are.

But here's what I know from both personal experience AND working with my clients: Your body isn't betraying you - it's communicating with you. And learning to listen is probably the hardest skill we have to develop if we live with a chronic condition.

What's one thing you pushed through recently that you wish you'd hadn't? Drop it in the comments - let's normalise talking about our struggles and our attempts to break the cycle 🩷

And follow @thechronicillness.therapist for more support for chronic illness life

#chronicillness #chronicpain #chronicillnesstherapy #invisibleillness #dynamicdisability #spooniesupport #spoonielife

The truth that no one's talking about?

Social events become minefields when you live with chronic illness. It's not that you're "antisocial" - you're just tired of explaining why your life doesn't fit into neat little boxes when someone asks "What are you up to?"

I see my clients struggle with this all the time. That cycle of rejection, guilt, and then beating yourself up for something that's completely out of your control.

Society wasn't built for chronically ill bodies. Those ridiculous productivity expectations and life "goals" weren't designed with your unique challenges in mind.

That's exactly why I created a therapy space where you don't have to pretend. Where "I'm too exhausted to explain my life choices" is a perfectly valid statement. Where your worth isn't measured by how many events you attend or milestones you hit.

If you're nodding along to this carousel, know you're not alone. Your timeline is your own, and you're doing brilliantly navigating a world that often doesn't understand.

If you're tired of feeling like you need to apologise for your existence, maybe we should chat? I'm a therapist who actually gets it (living with chronic pain myself), and I promise there's no waffly therapy language - just real talk.

DM me 'INTRO' for a free 15-min call to see if we'd be a good fit. Come for a chat, stay for a change. 💜

#chronicillness #spoonielife #invisibleillness #therapyforspoonies #chronicpain #socialanxiety

That voice telling you your illness is karma for something you did? It's lying to you.

Many of my clients come to me believing their chronic condition is punishment for a perceived wrong or something they did as a child.

The truth? Chronic illness doesn't discriminate or choose based on your actions or character. It's not karma, it's not punishment, and it's absolutely NOT your fault.

Living with chronic illness is already hard enough without carrying the weight of guilt on top of your symptoms. The medical gaslighting, the friends who don't get it, the missed opportunities – none of that is because you "deserve" this.

In our therapy sessions, we create a space where you can put down that heavy burden of self-blame. Where you're believed, where your experience is validated, and where we work together to quiet that harsh inner critic that's making you feel unworthy.

Because you deserve compassion – especially from yourself.

DM me 'INTRO to book your free 15-minute call to see if we'd be a good fit to work together.

Come for a chat, stay for a change. 💜

#chronicillness #spooniesupport #chronicpain #invisibleillness #spoonielife #therapyforspoonies

I've felt the weight of this PIP announcement in almost every therapy session I've had this week.

The government's plans to change PIP assessments from 2026 has sent shockwaves through the chronic illness community - and for good reason. It's a disgrace.

What I'm hearing in my sessions is the deep pain of being invalidated AGAIN. Of being viewed as a budget line that needs cutting rather than as human beings deserving of support. Of watching society stay largely silent while the most vulnerable are targeted AGAIN.

Where's the outrage? Where are all the non-disabled people speaking up about this injustice? Why is it easier to target disabled people than implement a wealth tax on those who could actually afford it?

I see you. I hear you. I'm fucking mad about this too.

Your pain, your anger, your fear - it's all valid. The anxiety of potentially losing vital support that helps you manage your condition is REAL. The exhaustion of constantly having to prove you're "disabled enough" is REAL.

This space is for you. Share your thoughts in the comments if you need to vent. Support each other. Know you're not alone in this.

And remember - your worth is NOT determined by government policy. Your value does NOT decrease because some politicians can't see it.

#ChronicIllness #PIPChanges #Spoonie #InvisibleIllness #ChronicPain #DisabilityRights #SpoonieSupport #ChronicIllnessTherapy

Let me share a secret? The chronic illness advocacy marathon is optional, not mandatory. 💜

It's hard enough navigating flares, medical gaslighting, and that inner critic telling you you're lazy - now social media's telling you to be a full-time warrior, too?

Different strokes for different folks! Some find power in advocacy, others need their precious spoons for just getting through the day. Both are valid.

Sometimes, being a "good spoonie" feels like another job on top of managing your condition. But here's the thing - you don't need another job. You need rest, validation, and permission to just BE in your chronically ill body without performative displays of thriving.

If educating others fills your cup, brilliant! If it drains you dry, put that oxygen mask on yourself first!

What's your take - feel the pressure to educate everyone about your condition?

Or have you found your own way? Drop me a comment - no wrong answers here! 👇

#spooniesupport #chronicillness #chronicpain #chronicfatigue #spoonielife #advocacy

The outside says "warrior" but inside, you're wondering if you're just a burden. 💜

Ever notice this disconnect? To the world, you're brave, determined, and strong - the chronic illness warrior fighting the good fight. But on the inside? It's a whole different story of anxiety, overthinking, and that voice constantly asking, "Am I doing enough?"

This isn't just you being dramatic. It's the reality of living with chronic illness in an ableist society that expects you to either be miraculously cured or perpetually inspirational.

The truth is, both sides exist in you. You ARE brave and determined when you need to be. You're also allowed to feel anxious and overwhelmed without it making you any less of a warrior.

Therapy isn't about erasing the inside circle - it's about learning to live with both realities without letting the inner critic take over. It's having a space where you can admit "I'm tired of being strong all the damn time" without judgment.

DM me 'INTRO' to book your free 15-minute call and chat about how therapy can help bridge this gap. You don't have to fight this battle alone. ✨

#chronicillness #spooniesupport #spoonielife #invisibleillness #chronicillnesstherapy

When was the last time someone told you it was truly okay to rest without earning it? 💙

That feeling of guilt that creeps in when you need to take a break? I see it in so many of my clients living with chronic illness. That inner critic whispers that you're "lazy" or "not doing enough" when your body is literally begging for rest.

The truth is, our society has conditioned us to believe that our worth is tied to productivity. But for those of us living with chronic conditions, this mindset can be especially harmful.

Rest isn't a reward. It's not something to be earned after pushing yourself to exhaustion. Rest is necessary medicine for your body - just as important as any treatment or prescription.

I work with so many amazing people who struggle to give themselves permission to rest. They push through pain, ignore their body's signals, and end up in an even worse flare as a result.

What if today, you chose to see rest as an act of self-compassion rather than something to feel guilty about? What if you honoured what your body is asking for, without judgement?

Drop a 💙 in the comments if you're giving yourself permission to rest today without the guilt.

#chronicillness #spooniesupport #spoonielife #spoonie #chronicpain #invisibleillness #dynamicdisability #chroniclife #therapyforspoonies #chronicillnesstherapy #restisproductive

Spoonies, when was the last time someone validated your reality instead of trying to fix it? 💙

These are the everyday moments that those living with chronic illness understand all too well - the complex relationship with our homes, redefining what productivity looks like, finding peace in small rituals, and remembering our worth even when no one sees us.

Society expects us to either be completely disabled or miraculously recovered. The messy, complicated middle ground where most of us actually live? That part gets erased from the conversation.

I see you navigating this complexity every day. The guilt when you can only manage one small task. The mixed feelings about a home that's both sanctuary and confinement. The tiny acts of self-care that keep you going when your body won't cooperate.

What if these weren't things to feel conflicted about or apologise for, but simply normal parts of living with chronic pain and illness that deserve acknowledgement?

This is exactly what we explore in therapy together - how to quiet that inner critic that calls you lazy or not enough, how to rebuild your relationship with yourself, and how to find meaning despite the limitations your body places on you.

I currently have space for new clients starting in April. If you're tired of feeling misunderstood and ready to work with someone who gets the nuances of chronic pain and illness (and lives with it too), DM me 'INTRO' book your free 15-minute call to see if we'd be a good fit to work together.

Come for a chat, stay for a change 💙

#chronicillness #spooniesupport #spoonielife #spoonie #chronicpain #invisibleillness #dynamicdisability #chroniclife #therapyforspoonies #chronicillnesstherapy

Can I share a secret? Even therapists don't have their s**t together all the time. 👀

I wanted to get real about the emotional side of chronic illness - and how none of us is immune to those "not good enough" thoughts, even when we help others work through them!

As someone who lives with chronic pain, I know what it's like when your physical capabilities limit what you can do. The guilt of not being the parent you pictured yourself being. The pressure to "have it together" because of your job. The reality of home-bound pictures instead of exciting adventures.

Because sometimes, in the middle of medical appointments, pain management, and explaining yourself to others for the millionth time, your mental health gets overlooked.

If you're tired of feeling like you're not enough because of your physical limitations, therapy might be that space where you don't have to pretend or minimise what you're going through.

DM me 'INTRO' if you'd like a free 15-min chat to see if we might be a good fit. No therapist 'phone voice', no judgment - just a normal conversation about what support might look like for you. 💙

#ChronicIllnessTherapist #Spoonie #ChronicPain #InvisibleIllness #TherapistLife #chronicpainlife #spooniesupport

Ever been told "it's all in your head" when your body feels like it's falling apart? 🙄 Ah, the classic "you don't have a chronic illness, you just have anxiety" line—as if your physical symptoms would magically disappear if you'd just do a bit of yoga and think positive thoughts.

If you've had your very real physical symptoms written off as "just anxiety," you're not alone. Medical gaslighting is frustratingly common, especially for those with invisible or complex conditions. That inner voice questioning if maybe they're right? That's not you being dramatic—that's the result of having your reality repeatedly invalidated.

The truth is: You can have anxiety AND a chronic condition. You can have anxiety BECAUSE of your chronic condition. And sometimes, your anxiety might even flare your symptoms. All these realities can exist at once, and none of them mean your illness isn't real 🩷

In therapy, we work through that voice of doubt. We rebuild the confidence to trust your body's signals and advocate for yourself, even when faced with dismissive comments or inadequate care.

Living with chronic illness is hard enough without constantly questioning your own experience.

✨️Ready to rebuild trust in yourself and quiet that inner critic? DM me 'intro' for a free 15-minute chat to see if we'd be a good fit to work together.

Follow along @thechronicillness.therapist for more spoonie support

#chronicillness #medicaltrauma #spoonietherapy #medicalptsd #invisibleillness #chronicallyill #chronicpain #spoonielife #therapyforspoonies #chronicillnesstherapy #anxiety

Ever feel like the world just doesn't get what living with endo is really like? That frustrated sigh when someone suggests 'just think positive!' for the millionth time... 👀

The emotional weight of endometriosis is just as real as the physical symptoms - from explaining yourself constantly to navigating a healthcare system that often dismisses your pain. I hear it from my clients, it exhausts them.

That's why therapy with me looks different. As someone who lives with chronic pain myself, I offer what I wish I'd had years ago - a space where you never need to justify your symptoms, downplay your struggles, or pretend you're fine when you're not.

What that actually means: online sessions (no precious energy wasted on travel), flexible rescheduling for flare days, and absolutely zero toxic positivity or suggestions to "just try yoga."

We work on processing medical trauma, building boundaries, and finding your way forward - even on the hardest days.

DM me "INTRO" for a free 15-minute chat to see if we might be a good fit to work together ✨

And follow @thechronicillness.therapist for more chronic illness emotional support

#endometriosis #endowarrior #chronicillnesstherapy #spoonielife #spooniesupport #invisibleillness

That voice in your head saying you're 'too much' or 'not enough'? Yeah, I hear it too. 🙃

Living with chronic illness as a millennial hits different - we grew up with hustle culture, impossible productivity standards, and the constant pressure to prove our worth through what we accomplish. Add invisible symptoms that others question? It's the perfect storm.

But here's what I want you to know: You're not letting anyone down. You're not being dramatic. You're navigating a difficult reality with incredible resilience every single day.

If you're tired of being told to 'just be positive' when you're dealing with very real challenges, I get it. As someone who lives with chronic pain AND supports others through their health struggles, I offer therapy that actually works for your reality - zero toxic positivity, flexible scheduling for flare days, and a safe space to process all of it.

DM me 'INTRO' for a free 15-minute chat to see if we'd be a good fit to work together. You deserve care that honours your whole experience ✨

#chronicillness #invisibledisability #spoonielife #chronicillnesstherapy #millenniallife #spooniesupport

My clients don't stay in this 'sorry-for-existing' mode for long... but almost all of them start here 👀

Downplaying symptoms. Apologising for 'talking too much.' Minimising medical trauma. Explaining away people-pleasing. Feeling hopeless about the future.

After years of being dismissed by doctors, loved ones, and sometimes even previous therapists, these patterns make perfect sense. When you've been constantly questioned or invalidated, shrinking yourself becomes a survival skill.

But therapy with me isn't about staying stuck in these patterns. It's about acknowledging the rubbish hand you've been dealt, processing the very real impact of living with chronic illness or pain, and building the confidence to advocate for your needs without apology.

If you're tired of therapists who tell you to "just think positive" or suggest yoga when you describe complex symptoms, I might be your person. I offer online therapy specifically designed for life with chronic illness - flexible scheduling for flare days and absolutely zero toxic positivity.

DM me 'INTRO' for a free 15-minute chat to see if we'd be a good fit ✨

#spooniessupport #chronicillnesstherapy #invisibleillness #medicaltrauma #chronicpain #therapyforspoonies #chronicillness

Therapy room moments hit different, don't they? 💭

Just some real talk that's come up in sessions lately. No fancy psychology jargon - just honest conversations about the hard stuff we all face but rarely say out loud.

Sometimes it's validating the impossible situations life has thrown at you. Other times it's that gentle reminder to pause the endless planning and just sit with what you're feeling for a bit.

These aren't magic solutions - just moments of clarity that might resonate if you're navigating chronic illness, trauma, or just feeling stuck. If you're tired of being told to "just stay positive" when life is genuinely hard, you're not alone.

DM "INTRO' if you'd like to chat about working together in a judgment-free zone ✨

#chronicillnesstherapy #therapyrealtalk #spooniesupport #spoonielife #chronicillness

That moment when your body throws a new symptom into the mix and your brain instantly goes to the worst-case scenario 💭

Heart racing. Palms sweaty. That sick feeling in your stomach that isn't just another symptom – it's pure anxiety taking the wheel.

"I can't do this again" becomes the only thought you can hold onto 😪

Because let's be real – it's not just about this new pain/symptom/weirdness your body decided to surprise you with today. It's about ALL of it:

→The upcoming doctor's appointment where you'll have to advocate for yourself... again

→ The tests that might lead nowhere... again

→ The "maybe it's just stress" dismissal... again

→ The research rabbit hole you're about to fall down at 3am... again

This anxiety isn't irrational. It's your body remembering every medical trauma, every dismissal, every diagnosis journey you've already been through.

But I promise you this: you've survived 100% of your worst days so far. You've got tools and wisdom from every previous battle.

What's helping your anxiety when new symptoms show up? Drop a comment below – your strategies might be exactly what another spoonie needs to hear today 💙

And if medical anxiety is stealing your peace, DM me "intro" for a free 15-minute call. Because while I can't make your symptoms disappear, we can work on quieting that voice that says you can't handle what comes next.

#chronicillnessanxiety #spoonielife #medicaltrauma #invisibleillness #chronicallyill #therapyforspoonies #chronicpain

That little voice in your head ever tell you there's no point in dreaming anymore? The one that whispers "why bother making plans when your body might not cooperate?" 💭

Let's be crystal clear: chronic illness doesn't mean you have to shelve your dreams alongside your medication. Sure, the path might look different—compromises, adjustments, and plenty of rest stops along the way—but the destination? Still absolutely possible.

I work with clients every day who are rebuilding their relationship with hope. They're finding ways to pursue careers, relationships, and passions while managing their health. Not in spite of it, but alongside it.

The inner critic loves to whisper "you can't" or "you're not well enough" but here's the truth: you are allowed to want things. You are allowed to plan. You are allowed to dream.

Living with chronic illness AND having hopes for your future isn't contradictory—it's human.

Feeling like your dreams are gathering dust because your health has taken centre stage? I get it. It's exhausting constantly adjusting expectations. But what if you could hold both—your reality AND your aspirations? DM me 'INTRO' for a free 15-minute chat about rebuilding that relationship with possibility.

#chronicillness #spooniesupport #chroniclife #spoonielife #chronicpain #invisibleillness #dynamicdisability #therapyforspoonies #chronicillnesstherapy #selfcompassion

Spoonies, raise your hand if you've ever felt that stomach-dropping guilt when you have to cancel plans... AGAIN 🙋‍♀️

Look, chronic illness doesn't care about your social calendar, and that text saying "I can't make it" can feel like the hardest thing to send. Your inner critic goes wild: "You're unreliable," "They'll stop inviting you," "Just push through it."

But here's the thing – you're not lazy, you're not lying, and you're definitely not a bad friend.

Let me share a guilt free cancellation strategy to use to help save you from that spiral of shame:

→ Create a "cancellation template" on your phone for bad days when finding words is too much

→ Be honest but brief – no need to justify your entire medical history

→ Suggest an alternative that works with your energy (Netflix party, anyone?)

→ Remember that real friends want you WELL more than they want you THERE 💙

The world is built for people with reliable bodies, but that doesn't mean you have to apologize for yours.

Follow @thechronicillness.therapist if you want more spoonie boundary-setting tips

✨️ DM me "intro" for your free 15- min intro call, if you're ready to work on silencing that inner critic that makes cancelling feel so hard.

#chronicillness #spooniesupport #chronicpain #invisibleillness #boundaries #spoonielife #therapyforspoonies

So you have a chronic illness and you think you sound crazy...

Spoiler alert: you're not 🗣

Those thoughts running through your head? The ones wondering if your friends disappeared because of something you did wrong? If you're somehow faking an illness that impacts your entire life? If you're being punished or if you brought this on yourself?

I hear these exact thoughts from clients every. single. day.

Chronic illness is already hard enough without your brain telling you that you're losing it. But here's what I want you to know: these thoughts aren't unusual. They're actually extremely common when you're navigating a health condition in an ableist world that wasn't designed for bodies like yours 💙

Medical gaslighting, friend ghosting, and that nagging voice of self-doubt are part of the chronic illness package that nobody warns you about.

Save this post for those days when you're questioning your reality. Your experience is valid. Your illness is real. Your fears make sense. And you are absolutely not alone in having these thoughts.

✨️ Want a space where you can say all the "crazy-sounding" thoughts without judgment? Where someone gets it? DM me "intro" to book your free 15-minute call and see if therapy might be the support you've been looking for.

Because you deserve to be heard, believed, and respected - exactly as you are.

Follow @thechronicillness.therapist for all things chronic illness support

#chronicillness #spooniesupport #spoonielife #chronicpain #invisibleillness #dynamicdisability #therapyforspoonies #chronicillnesstherapy

"I'm terrified of going to another medical appointment alone but don't want to burden anyone..."

This is something I hear from my clients ALL. THE. TIME. 💙

That fear of walking into yet another appointment where you might be dismissed, have to explain your whole medical history AGAIN, or advocate for yourself when you're already exhausted? It's completely valid.

And that voice saying you're somehow a burden for needing support? That's that harsh inner critic we work to quieten in therapy.

I tell my clients this: The people who genuinely care about you won't see supporting you as a burden. Different strokes for different folks, but honestly, most people WANT to help when given the chance.

Having someone there can:

- take notes when brain fog hits
- be an extra set of ears
- simply be there as moral support
- witness your experience (goodbye medical gaslighting!)

Medical trauma is real. Appointment anxiety is real. And needing support isn't weakness - it's recognising your needs.

If appointment anxiety has ever made you delay seeking care, you're not alone in this, and it's something we can work through together.

DM me 'INTRO'to book your free 15-minute intro call and see how we might work together ✨️

And follow @thechronicillness.therapist for more chronic illness support

#chronicillness #invisibleillness #chronicpain #therapyforspoonies #spooniesupport

Ever feel like your chronic illness isn't 'the right kind' to deserve support? Let's change that 💙

I'm Kirsty, and here's something people often don't realise - every chronic illness impacts your mental health, not just the ones you hear about most. Whether you're dealing with endometriosis flares, POTS symptoms that come and go, epilepsy affecting your daily life, or any other chronic condition - the emotional impact is real.

Because living with any chronic illness means:

• Navigating a healthcare system that doesn't always listen

• Dealing with that inner critic telling you you're 'not sick enough'

• Feeling like you have to prove how unwell you are

• Trying to maintain relationships when your energy is limited

• Rebuilding your sense of self when everything's changed

That's where therapy comes in. No more explaining your condition, no more justifying your symptoms, no more pretending you're fine when you're not. Just real conversations about real life with chronic illness.

I offer online sessions (because who has the energy to travel?), flexible rescheduling for flare days, and absolutely zero pressure to 'just think positive' 🙄

Fancy a chat about how we could work together? DM me 'INTRO for a free 15-minute call to see if we're a good fit ✨

Follow along @thechronicillness.therapist for more emotional support for spoonies 👋

#chronicillness #spoonie #endometriosis #potsie #epilepsy #chronicillnesstherapy #spoonielife #invisibleillness

Well hello there 👋 Looks like you've landed in the right corner of the Internet!

I'm Kirsty, and I help people living with chronic illnesses who are tired of being told to 'just think positively' or 'push through it'. (No toxic positivity here, promise!)

As someone who lives with chronic pain, I know what it's like when your world changes because of health issues. That's why I offer therapy that actually works for you - online sessions (so no precious energy wasted on travel), flexible rescheduling for flare days and absolutely zero pressure to pretend you're fine when you're not.

Think of therapy with me as a place where you can:

✨️ Talk about the impact chronic illness has on your life without having to justify or explain your symptoms

🌱 Process the frustration at navigating the healthcare system

☁️ Work through the grief, anxiety, and changes to your sense of self

🌈 Build confidence in setting boundaries and advocating for your needs

If you're looking for a therapist who gets it, who talks like a normal person (no therapy jargon and probably the odd swear word!), and who will never tell you to try yoga or drink more water - I might be your gal.

DM me 'INTRO' to book your free 15-minute chat to see if we'd be a god fit to work together 🎯

Follow along @thechronicillness.therapist for more chronic illness content and support

#chronicillness #chronicillnesstherapy #spoonielife #therapyforspoonies #Spooniesupport

"I'll phone tomorrow..." 📱 Sound familiar?

That moment when you know you need to book a doctor's appointment, but somehow reorganising your sock drawer becomes incredibly urgent...

Let's be real - avoiding medical appointments isn't just about procrastination. Your brain's trying to protect you from past difficult experiences, and that's completely understandable.

The truth is, putting off that call isn't about being "lazy" or "making excuses" - it's your body and mind trying to protect you from tough experiences. That phone call feels as possible as a marathon when you've been through challenging moments with healthcare before.

When you keep putting it off, you end up stuck in this loop of worry, pushing through, and feeling worse - all while those symptoms aren't getting any better. But there are gentle ways to break this cycle.

That's why I'm passionate about creating a space where we can work through these feelings together.

Whether it's finding ways to feel grounded before appointments or unpacking past experiences, there are ways to make this journey lighter.

👉 Follow along @thechronicillness.therapist for more supportive content about the emotional impact of living with chronic illness

Feeling ready to explore this further? Pop me a DM with 'INTRO' for a free 15-minute chat about how we might work together. ✨

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1. I worry about what others think of me, even though I know I actually am a good person.

2. I sometimes take my frustration at living with pain out on my husband and then feel guilty.

3. I easily fall into the "compare and despair" trap, even though I know unhelpful and unrealistic it is.

4. I feel at times like a bad friend because I live far away from my circle and don't check in as often as I should.

5. I struggle to prioritise my self-care when I'm busy, even though I know it's essential for me.

6. I dip in and out of therapy when I need to. It helps me get through the more difficult parts of life, understand who I am and what I want, and makes me a better therapist.

Follow @thechronicillness.therapist for chronic illness content & support

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I spoke to @refinery29uk about navigating romantic relationships when you have a chronic illness.

A really interesting piece, I'll pop the link in the comments if you would like to have a read 💙

✍️ @tanyeledit

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That moment when everything's falling apart... and your self-care routine is the first thing to go. 👀

I don't mean spa days and meditations (altho 👌 for those!), I'm talking about when showering feels like climbing Everest, when making a meal seems impossible, when even your trusted coping tools feel out of reach. These aren't just rough days - they're often the first sign that you're drowning.

This is exactly why I always ask my clients about their self-care in our sessions. It's not as a checkbox exercise, but because these small daily struggles tell the real story. When self-care starts slipping, it's like a canary in a coal mine - a warning that you need support more than ever 💙

Sometimes, we need someone to help us listen, to hold space while we rebuild our relationship with ourselves, one gentle step at a time.

🌱DM me 'INTRO' to book your free 15-minute intro call to see if I can support you in rebuilding your safety in yourself.

👋Follow @thechronicillness.therapist for more therapy insights and chronic illness support.

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Living with chronic pain in an ableist world feels like playing life on hard mode, doesn't it? 👀

When people say 'but you don't look sick' or 'have you tried yoga?' I get it - because I'm not just a therapist, I'm a therapist living with chronic pain.

I know how living with pain in an ableist world can make you feel invisible, misunderstood, and completely alone. 🫂

But you don't have to deal with this alone.

Therapy can help you:

• Release the stress of masking pain for the comfort of others

• Set boundaries with people who don't understand

• Navigate medical trauma and gaslighting

• Find joy and purpose, even when pain persists

If this is something you need some support with, I can help, as I have with other spoonies just like you.

DM me 'INTRO' to book your free 15-minute intro call and see how we might work together 💙

👋 Follow along @thechronicillness.therapist for more content and support for spoonies

#chronicpain #chronicillness #spooniesupport #spoonielife #therapyforspoonies

We can teach each other a thing or two 💙

#spooniesupport #chronicpain #therapyforspoonies

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The Chronic Illness Therapy Blog

When Medical Gaslighting Meets Chronic Pain: The Endo Experience

Living with Chronic Illness and your Ableist Inner Critic

Setting Limits, Saving Spoons: The Importance of Boundaries for People Living with Chronic Illness

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