Counselling for Women with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue & Long-Term Health Conditions

 

When your body no longer behaves the way it used to, life can become incredibly small and frustrating: cancelled plans, deciding which task to attempt verses the cost tomorrow, time and valuable energy wasted explaining yourself to doctors, family or employers who simply don't understand.

​

If you live with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), Long Covid, autoimmune illness, chronic pain or another long-term health condition, you may already know that the emotional impact can be just as challenging as the physical symptoms.

​

I offer specialist counselling for women living with chronic illness, fatigue and pain. Unlike many therapists, I am not only professionally trained. I am also an expert by experience.

​

I understand what it is like when your body becomes unreliable. I understand the grief, frustration, fear and isolation that can come with losing your health, your confidence, your independence or the life you expected to have. You do not need to explain every symptom to me. You do not need to convince me that your fatigue is real.  And you certainly do not need to pretend you are coping when you're not. I am with you in shared experiences and common challenges and I want to support you and share the wisdom and insights gathered using a combined coaching and counselling approach.

​

A Different Approach to Chronic Illness Counselling

Many women come to therapy believing they should be able to "push through". The problem is that chronic illness rarely responds well to pressure, self-criticism or constant striving.  Instead, we work with your reality.

​

My approach combines counselling, therapeutic coaching, mindfulness and nervous system support to help you navigate the emotional challenges of living with chronic illness whilst also developing practical ways to improve your quality of life.

​

Together we can explore:

• The grief of losing your former self

• The frustration of fluctuating symptoms

• Health anxiety and uncertainty about the future

• Relationships affected by illness

• Boundaries and people-pleasing

• Burnout and nervous system overload

• Loss of identity, confidence and purpose

• Feelings of guilt, shame or being a burden

• Managing work, family and caring responsibilities

• Learning to pace yourself without feeling lazy or selfish

​

The Three-Legged Stool Approach

I often use a simple analogy that many clients find helpful. Imagine your wellbeing as a three-legged stool.  One leg represents your physical health.  One leg represents your emotional wellbeing.  One leg represents your practical life and support systems.

​

When chronic illness strikes, the physical leg becomes unstable. Most women understandably focus all their energy there.

But if we can strengthen the emotional and practical legs, the whole stool becomes more stable.

​

We may not always be able to change symptoms immediately, but we can improve how supported, resilient and resourced you feel whilst living with them and give the body the best opportunities and conditions to improve - which is possible slowly and over time.  This often reduces stress, improves emotional wellbeing and helps create the conditions for your nervous system to feel safer and more regulated.

​

Supporting Your Nervous System

Many women with chronic illness live in a constant state of survival.  I have been there. Years of symptoms, uncertainty, medical appointments and pushing through can leave your nervous system stuck on high alert.

​

Alongside counselling, I may draw on approaches such as:

• Mindfulness

• Breathwork

• Somatic awareness

• Nervous system regulation techniques

• Yin-inspired practices

• EFT tapping

• Compassion-focused approaches

​

These are always adapted to your energy levels and physical limitations.  This is not about fixing you.  It is about helping your mind and body feel safer, calmer and more supported.  We work flexibly and there are no charges to missed appointments as long as you let me know the morning of your slot if you can't make it.

​

Counselling with Someone Who Understands

One of the biggest frustrations I hear from women is:

"Nobody really gets it."  Friends often stop asking.  Partners may struggle to understand.  Healthcare professionals can sometimes focus solely on normal test results and pharmaceutical options which can feel even worse at times.

​

The result is that many women carry the emotional burden of chronic illness completely alone. Again it's partly why I wanted to extend my expertise to this field when I started to feel ill some years ago and train as a mindfulness teacher and then EFT, and therapist and develop my skills further. I've been working with women with chronic fatigue and burnout since around 2021.

​

Therapy gives you a space where you no longer have to explain or justify your experience. A space where all of you is welcome.  I welcome the part of you that is exhausted and frightened, angry and the hopeful parts. I invite the version who is simply tired of carrying everything alone to come and meet a fellow survivor negotiating it all herself.

​

Counselling for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue & Chronic Illness Across the UK

I offer online counselling throughout the UK and face-to-face counselling near Shrewsbury and Ludlow for women living with:

• Fibromyalgia

• ME/CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)

• Long Covid

• Chronic pain conditions like Endo

• Autoimmune illnesses

• Persistent fatigue

• Invisible illnesses

• Health-related anxiety and adjustment difficulties

• Chronic stress and burnout

​

If you're looking for a counsellor who understands both the emotional and practical realities of living with chronic illness, I'd be delighted to have a conversation.

​

Book a free introductory call and let's explore whether working together feels right for you.