Newly Diagnosed: The first step to adjusting to a diagnosis is understanding the unique care needs the illness present and finding ways to meet these consistently. People often need to develop new coping skills to manage the intense emotions that come with major life changes. Using strategies from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Stacey teaches clients how to communicate effectively with care providers and advocate for their health.

Experienced “Patients”: Counselling can also be helpful to people who have lived for many years with illness when changes occurs. It can aid those experiencing major adjustment to treatment, a loss of ability, or those navigating life transitions (going to university, getting married, having a child, menopause, or retirement). Importantly, counselling provides the time, space, and presence to grieve the body, ability, ambition or relationship losses that have happened since illness interrupted your life.

Medical Trauma: Finally, counselling can help people who have experienced medical trauma(s) associated with their illness and/or care. As a trained EMDR therapist specializing in chronic pain and illness, Stacey understands how important it is to reckon with what has happened so that you can move forward with self-compassion.