A Therapist’s Guide to Practicing with an Invisible Chronic Illness
As therapists, we're trained to show up.
To be available.
To prioritize client needs.
To hold space no matter what’s going on in our own lives.
And if you're like me—navigating life with an invisible chronic condition like fibromyalgia, chronic pain, long COVID, depression, or cancer—you know just how heavy that can be.
We love this work.
It gives us purpose, connection, and a reason to get out of bed—literally.
But that doesn't mean we can keep practicing the way we were taught.
The 'Shoulds' We Were Raised On
In grad school and internships, we absorbed so many silent rules of being a ‘good’ therapist:
A good therapist accommodates their clients’ schedules.
A good therapist works evenings and weekends.
A good therapist pushes through.
And if we couldn't do those things? Well, the shame and guilt crept in fast.
The truth is, these 'shoulds' don’t just create unrealistic expectations—they're dangerous for therapists with chronic conditions. Trying to live up to them often leads to:
Flare-ups
Burnout
Resentment
Emotional dysregulation
And sometimes, walking away from the field we love
I know this because I lived it.
For years, I worked alongside the shoulds talking myself into being flexible for my clients even though what my body actually needed was rest, restoration, and predictability.
Today, I start my first session at 6am, and I'm done by 1 or 2pm.
I don’t see clients past 3pm—ever.
Not because I’m lazy, not because I’m not committed, but because I’ve learned that honoring my body is what makes me a better therapist.
I give my best during those early hours—focused, grounded, and present.
No excuses, just boundaries that let me thrive.
3 Ways to Dismantle the 'Shoulds' and Practice with Chronic Conditions
Here’s what I want every therapist silently struggling to know:
1. You Have to Walk the Walk
You’ve told your clients that “shoulds” are distortions, right? That perfectionism is just shame in a fancy outfit?
It’s time to apply that same lens to yourself.
The thought “a good therapist would offer evening appointments” is just that—a thought.
Challenge it. Reframe it. Say instead:
A good therapist knows their limits, honors them, and sets their practice up to serve both themselves and their clients well.
2. Talk Back to the Guilt
When you start to feel guilty because your condition limits what you can do—pause.
Breathe.
And talk back to that inner critic like you would to a client:
"I’m allowed to have needs. I’m allowed to do this differently."
Grace is not a luxury. It’s a clinical tool. One that helps you stay grounded and in integrity.
3. You Are Not Alone
I know it feels like you have to hide.
We’re taught not to disclose too much to our clients, to keep the focus on them—which I still believe in.
But that doesn’t mean we have to isolate ourselves from one another.
There’s a whole community of therapists like us—smart, empathic, committed professionals navigating illness while still showing up. Quietly. Painfully. But with so much heart.
4. Create a Schedule That Serves You First
What if you designed your practice around what actually works for your body?
What if you let go of the “normal” hours and instead chose a schedule that supported energy, consistency, and longevity?
That’s not selfish.
It’s sustainable.
I built my practice around this philosophy.
And now, it’s filled with therapists who are silently struggling, just like I was.
They don’t want to quit.
They don’t want to be coddled.
They just want to keep helping others without sacrificing themselves in the process.
If that’s you, I see you. I am you.
Let’s make space for your purpose and your pain.
Let’s reimagine what being a “good therapist” really looks like.
I’d be honored to support you.
Because you don’t have to choose between being a therapist and honoring your body.
You get to do both.
Ready to redefine how you practice with a chronic condition?
Let’s talk. I’m here to help you hold space for others—without abandoning yourself. Schedule Your Free Call Here.