The benefits of therapy in life with chronic illness

Counseling is as routine for me as eating. Being born with cystic fibrosis and receiving a double-lung transplant led to recurring mental health struggles, including anxiety and depression, which require continual management. Therapy is one of the tools I use to respond.

I began my college years as a young, innocent 18-year-old who didn’t know where my career path would lead. By my sophomore year, I had learned enough to know that counseling was my calling in life. I ended up with a master’s degree in the field.

My first experience with a therapist was in college. It was the first time I had uttered the words “cystic fibrosis” to someone outside my family. Until then, I’d lived my life normally, despite struggling with severe lung disease. Growing up in a small town and attending a small school, the last thing I needed was a reason to stand out more or be made fun of, which already had happened because I was so skinny. Children can be so cruel sometimes.

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Normalizing therapy

Since college, health crises, seasons of transition, and life in general required an unbiased professional to weigh in on my situation. Having a therapist has been a lifesaver, given all the changes to my health and the difficult transplant process that began eight years ago.

I’ve faced extensive medical trauma from all of my hospitalizations and various health crises throughout the years, which makes it difficult to feel comfortable in my own body. Living with the tension of unpredictable health isn’t something one ever really gets used to. Ambiguity is unsettling to the nervous system, and attempting to move forward despite setbacks can feel especially burdensome.

Given my background, I think it’s important that we normalize counseling. It’s part of life and being human to struggle, but I don’t think we were meant to carry our burdens alone. Seeking help, to me, is the bravest, healthiest step one can take.

For those experiencing life-threatening chronic illness, I think it’s also important that we normalize our mental health struggles. My physical health challenges are invisible, which adds to the burden of unseen mental health issues. No one would know just by looking at me how heavy a weight I carry each day. Validating that internal struggle is vital.

Having someone listen to our life experiences brings validation and affirms that we don’t have to go through life alone. Therapy is a space to process heavy emotional matters and find solutions with the help of a trained expert.

Because April is Counseling Awareness Month, if you’re also facing struggles that are similar to the ones I’ve described, I challenge you to consider risking vulnerability and finding a therapist. They could be a calming voice that provides a sense of presence in your life. A good therapist can witness the depths of your humanity without turning away. They can often offer hope and a path forward.

I’m grateful to have found that kind of therapist in my life. And I’m honored to be able to offer the same assistance to my own clients. We need each other in this life, no matter what our burdens may look like.

Note: Cystic Fibrosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Cystic Fibrosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to cystic fibrosis.