Chronic & Acute Illness Therapists
Dealing with illness involves more than physical symptoms—it affects your emotions, relationships, and sense of self. Connect with therapists who understand on First Session.
Living with chronic or acute illness can bring a range of emotional challenges alongside the physical ones. You might be navigating grief over changes to your life, frustration with limitations, anxiety about the future, or the exhaustion of managing ongoing health concerns. These feelings are a normal part of coping with illness, yet they often go unaddressed.
Working with a therapist who understands the emotional impact of illness can provide valuable support. Therapy offers a space to process your experiences, develop coping strategies, and attend to your mental health alongside your physical health. On First Session, you can browse therapist profiles and watch intro videos to find someone who has experience with health-related challenges.
Kate MacDonald
Psychologist
Virtual Sessions in AB, NS, and NB.
Waitlist
Kate MacDonald
Psychologist
Anxiety, Burnout, Perfectionism, Assertiveness, Attachment, Chronic and acute illness, Couples Therapy, Depression, Health anxiety, Life transitions, Low mood, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness, Negative thinking and ruminating, People pleasing, Stress, Workplace stress
Anxiety, Burnout, Perfectionism, Assertiveness, Attachment, Chronic and acute illness, Couples Therapy, Depression, Health anxiety, Life transitions, Low mood, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness, Negative thinking and ruminating, People pleasing, Stress, Workplace stress
Kate Newby
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in AB, BC, MB, and SK.
Waitlist
Kate Newby
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Life transitions, Navigating challenging relationships, LGBTQ2IA+, Sexuality and gender issues, Dissociation, Nervous system regulation, Emotional regulation, Trauma processing, Attachment wounds, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Suicidal ideation, Familial and social relationships, Break-up recovery, Bullying, People pleasing, Boundaries and boundary setting, School challenges, Chronic and acute illness, Aging, Caregivers, Mind-body connection, Meaning and purpose, Self-esteem, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Life transitions, Navigating challenging relationships, LGBTQ2IA+, Sexuality and gender issues, Dissociation, Nervous system regulation, Emotional regulation, Trauma processing, Attachment wounds, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Suicidal ideation, Familial and social relationships, Break-up recovery, Bullying, People pleasing, Boundaries and boundary setting, School challenges, Chronic and acute illness, Aging, Caregivers, Mind-body connection, Meaning and purpose, Self-esteem, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Monica Andrus
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in ON, AB, MB, BC, and NB.
Waitlist
Monica Andrus
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Identity and Self-Exploration, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, ADHD, Attachment, Emotional regulation, Meaning and purpose, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Transitioning into Adulthood, Anxiety, Depression, BIPOC, Burnout, Trauma, Childhood trauma, Chronic and acute illness, Fertility, Couples, Break-up recovery, Nervous system regulation, Intergenerational trauma, Attachment trauma, Perfectionism, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Perinatal, Building Meaningful Connections, Existential questions, Familial and social relationships
Identity and Self-Exploration, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, ADHD, Attachment, Emotional regulation, Meaning and purpose, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Transitioning into Adulthood, Anxiety, Depression, BIPOC, Burnout, Trauma, Childhood trauma, Chronic and acute illness, Fertility, Couples, Break-up recovery, Nervous system regulation, Intergenerational trauma, Attachment trauma, Perfectionism, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Perinatal, Building Meaningful Connections, Existential questions, Familial and social relationships
Ryan Yellowlees
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in BC and AB.
Waitlist
Ryan Yellowlees
Registered Clinical Counsellor
He/Him/His
Disability, Chronic Illness, Caregivers, Chronic and acute illness, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Empowerment, Motivation, Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Stress, Men's issues, Masculinity, Depression, Depression coping skills, Conflict resolution, Relationships, People pleasing, Family Conflict, Familial and social relationships, Family issues, Effective communication, Physical Disability, Grief and Loss
Disability, Chronic Illness, Caregivers, Chronic and acute illness, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Empowerment, Motivation, Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Stress, Men's issues, Masculinity, Depression, Depression coping skills, Conflict resolution, Relationships, People pleasing, Family Conflict, Familial and social relationships, Family issues, Effective communication, Physical Disability, Grief and Loss
Eda Mucaj
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Eda Mucaj
Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Attachment wounds, Childhood trauma, Transformative dream work, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Addiction, Depression, Dissociation, Anger, Anxiety, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Chronic and acute illness, Borderline Personality Disorder, Eating disorders, Emotional Numbness, Life transitions, Intergenerational trauma, Interpersonal dynamics, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Personal Growth, Intimacy concerns, Perfectionism, Sleeping difficulties, Sexual issues, Grief and Loss
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Attachment wounds, Childhood trauma, Transformative dream work, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Addiction, Depression, Dissociation, Anger, Anxiety, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Chronic and acute illness, Borderline Personality Disorder, Eating disorders, Emotional Numbness, Life transitions, Intergenerational trauma, Interpersonal dynamics, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Personal Growth, Intimacy concerns, Perfectionism, Sleeping difficulties, Sexual issues, Grief and Loss
Lea Konforte
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in MB, YT, NU, AB, NT, NL, BC, and ON.
Waitlist
Lea Konforte
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/Her
Anxiety, Relationships, Infertility, Fertility, Life transitions, Attachment trauma, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Break-up recovery, Burnout, Chronic and acute illness, Conflict resolution, Dating challenges, Emotional regulation, Family issues, Goal Setting, Intergenerational trauma, Mind-body connection, Nervous system regulation, Negative thinking and ruminating, Spirituality, Stress, Workplace stress, Grief and Loss
Anxiety, Relationships, Infertility, Fertility, Life transitions, Attachment trauma, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Break-up recovery, Burnout, Chronic and acute illness, Conflict resolution, Dating challenges, Emotional regulation, Family issues, Goal Setting, Intergenerational trauma, Mind-body connection, Nervous system regulation, Negative thinking and ruminating, Spirituality, Stress, Workplace stress, Grief and Loss
Dennis Keefe
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Dennis Keefe
Registered Psychotherapist
Addiction, ADHD, Anxiety, Assertiveness, Boundaries and boundary setting, Chronic and acute illness, Emotional regulation, Fears and phobia, Health anxiety, Life transitions, Low mood, Men's issues, Motivation, OCD, Pain management, Panic attacks, Parkinson's disease, Performance anxiety, Relationships, Social anxiety, Phobias, Stress, Self-esteem, Workplace stress, Disability, Grief and Loss
Addiction, ADHD, Anxiety, Assertiveness, Boundaries and boundary setting, Chronic and acute illness, Emotional regulation, Fears and phobia, Health anxiety, Life transitions, Low mood, Men's issues, Motivation, OCD, Pain management, Panic attacks, Parkinson's disease, Performance anxiety, Relationships, Social anxiety, Phobias, Stress, Self-esteem, Workplace stress, Disability, Grief and Loss
Emily Duggan
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Emily Duggan
Registered Psychotherapist
She/her
LGBTQ2IA+, Neurodiversity, Eating disorders, ADHD, Attention and Impulsivity, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment, Borderline Personality Disorder, Coming out and identity, Childhood trauma, Children/Teens, Fears and phobia, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Depression, OCD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), PTSD, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Stress, Body Dysmorphia, Chronic and acute illness, Highly Sensitive Person, Identity and Self-Exploration
LGBTQ2IA+, Neurodiversity, Eating disorders, ADHD, Attention and Impulsivity, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment, Borderline Personality Disorder, Coming out and identity, Childhood trauma, Children/Teens, Fears and phobia, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Depression, OCD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), PTSD, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Stress, Body Dysmorphia, Chronic and acute illness, Highly Sensitive Person, Identity and Self-Exploration
Margaret Hux
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in MB, ON, NB, PE, NS, BC, SK, AB, and NL.
Waitlist
Margaret Hux
Registered Psychotherapist
she/her
Aging, Anxiety, Career guidance, Chronic and acute illness, Depression, Depression coping skills, Existential questions, Emotional regulation, Fears and phobia, Familial and social relationships, Health anxiety, Negative thinking and ruminating, Panic attacks, PTSD, Addiction, Workplace stress, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Grief and Loss
Aging, Anxiety, Career guidance, Chronic and acute illness, Depression, Depression coping skills, Existential questions, Emotional regulation, Fears and phobia, Familial and social relationships, Health anxiety, Negative thinking and ruminating, Panic attacks, PTSD, Addiction, Workplace stress, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Grief and Loss
Andrew Goldstein
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Andrew Goldstein
Registered Social Worker
He/Him
Depression, Anxiety, Separation and divorce, Boundaries and boundary setting, Chronic and acute illness, Aging, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Creativity, Family Conflict, Break-up recovery, Familial and social relationships, Vulnerability, Trauma processing, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Depression, Anxiety, Separation and divorce, Boundaries and boundary setting, Chronic and acute illness, Aging, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Creativity, Family Conflict, Break-up recovery, Familial and social relationships, Vulnerability, Trauma processing, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Courtney Doherty
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
Waitlist
Courtney Doherty
Registered Clinical Counsellor
She/Her
Adjusting to a diagnosis, Aging, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Boundaries and boundary setting, Brain injury, Caregiver burnout, Caregivers, Chronic Illness, Chronic and acute illness, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Trauma, Supervising qualifying therapists, Stress, Sleeping difficulties, Social anxiety, Self-esteem, PTSD, Pregnancy, Parkinson's disease, Depression, Family issues, Anger Management, Parenting, Grief and Loss
Adjusting to a diagnosis, Aging, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Boundaries and boundary setting, Brain injury, Caregiver burnout, Caregivers, Chronic Illness, Chronic and acute illness, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Trauma, Supervising qualifying therapists, Stress, Sleeping difficulties, Social anxiety, Self-esteem, PTSD, Pregnancy, Parkinson's disease, Depression, Family issues, Anger Management, Parenting, Grief and Loss
Cayla Townes
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON, BC, NL, NT, NU, YT, and SK.
Waitlist
Cayla Townes
Registered Psychotherapist
she/her
Attachment trauma, Life transitions, Self-esteem, Attachment wounds, Aging, Anxiety, Depression, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Childhood trauma, Workplace stress, Self-Development, Stress, Relationships, Perfectionism, People pleasing, Overwhelm, Meaning and purpose, Caregiver burnout, Chronic and acute illness, Imposter syndrome, Separation and divorce, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Attachment trauma, Life transitions, Self-esteem, Attachment wounds, Aging, Anxiety, Depression, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Childhood trauma, Workplace stress, Self-Development, Stress, Relationships, Perfectionism, People pleasing, Overwhelm, Meaning and purpose, Caregiver burnout, Chronic and acute illness, Imposter syndrome, Separation and divorce, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
No results found. Your criteria may be too specific.
Search finds the closest match while filters exclude profiles that do not match your criteria. Try clearing your filters and using search to find a match.
We add therapists weekly. Sign up to receive updates.
Therapy is hard work.
Finding the right therapist shouldn’t be. Over 10,000 Canadians found their new therapist with First Session.
How does illness affect mental health?
Chronic and acute illness can affect mental health in many ways. You might experience grief over life changes, anxiety about symptoms or prognosis, depression related to limitations or pain, frustration with the healthcare system, or strain on relationships. The stress of managing health conditions can also lead to burnout. These emotional responses are normal and valid—addressing them is an important part of overall wellbeing.
Who might benefit from therapy related to illness?
Therapy may be helpful if you're struggling emotionally with a new diagnosis, managing the ongoing challenges of a chronic condition, dealing with pain or fatigue that affects your mood, navigating changes in your identity or relationships due to illness, or supporting a loved one through health challenges. You don't need to be in crisis—therapy can help at any stage.
What's it like to work with a therapist on illness-related challenges?
Therapy for illness-related concerns often involves processing the emotional impact of your health situation, developing coping strategies for difficult days, addressing any anxiety or depression that has developed, and finding ways to maintain quality of life and meaningful connections. Your therapist can adapt their approach based on your energy levels and what you're dealing with physically.
How long does this type of therapy typically take?
The duration varies widely depending on your situation and goals. Some people benefit from short-term support during a particularly challenging period, while others find ongoing therapy helpful as they navigate living with a chronic condition. Your therapist can help you determine what makes sense for your needs.
How do I know if a therapist is right for me?
Finding a therapist who has experience with health-related issues and who feels compassionate and understanding is important. On First Session, you can watch therapist intro videos to get a sense of their approach. Look for someone who seems to appreciate the complexity of living with illness and with whom you feel comfortable sharing your experiences.
How do I book a session?
Browse therapists on First Session who work with chronic and acute illness, watch their intro videos, and book directly online. Many therapists offer online sessions, which can be especially helpful if travel or energy is a concern.