Therapy for Chronic Illness & Chronic Pain in Austin
Living with chronic illness or chronic pain affects far more than the body.
It can impact identity, relationships, work, and your nervous system.
If you’re navigating unpredictable symptoms, medical burnout, or the grief of a life that looks different from what you expected, our Austin-based therapists can help you process, regulate, and rebuild a sense of stability.
Most people around you don't fully understand what this is like
Many people living with chronic illness or chronic pain feel deeply misunderstood. Friends and family may not see the daily impact of symptoms, and the medical system can sometimes leave people feeling dismissed or alone.
You may be constantly managing energy, symptoms, and uncertainty while still trying to maintain relationships, work, and a sense of identity.
If any of this sounds familiar:
feeling exhausted from constantly managing symptoms, appointments, and uncertainty
grief about how your body or life has changed
uncertainty about who you are outside of your illness
frustration with doctors or the medical system
anxiety about flare-ups or the future of your health
feeling misunderstood by friends, family, or coworkers
guilt about needing more rest, support, or accommodations
difficulty maintaining relationships, work, or daily responsibilities
a sense of isolation that others don’t fully understand
Living with chronic illness or chronic pain can affect every part of life, not just your physical health.
Therapy offers a space to process what you're going through with someone who understands the emotional complexity of living with chronic illness or chronic pain.
How therapy can help when you're living with chronic illness or chronic pain
processing grief about how life or your body has changed
navigating frustration, dismissal, or trauma within the medical system
learning how to listen to and care for your body without shame or self-blame
regulating the nervous system during periods of flare-ups, uncertainty, or overwhelm
setting boundaries and pacing energy in ways that protect your wellbeing
navigating the impact of illness on relationships, work, and identity
cultivating compassion for yourself while navigating in a body that’s constantly changing
At Carlisle Collective, therapy for chronic illness and chronic pain goes beyond symptom management. Our therapists support clients in:
Our Austin therapists take a collaborative, compassionate approach tailored to your experience. Whether your illness is newly diagnosed or something you've been living with for years, therapy can help you feel more supported, grounded, and connected to yourself.
Chronic illnesses and conditions we often support
Our therapists have supported clients living with a wide range of chronic illnesses and health conditions — from autoimmune disorders to post-viral illness to chronic pain. Some of the conditions we commonly work with include:
Some of the conditions our clients live with include:
autoimmune conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Hashimoto’s
fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome
endometriosis and pelvic pain conditions
chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
POTS and dysautonomia
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
migraines and chronic headache disorders
type 1 diabetes and other metabolic conditions
long COVID and post-viral illness
gastrointestinal disorders such as IBS or Crohn’s disease
We work with clients in Austin and throughout Texas navigating a wide range of chronic illnesses. We offer both in-person and virtual therapy, which can be especially helpful on difficult symptom days. And even if your diagnosis isn't listed here, therapy can still provide meaningful support for the emotional impact of living with chronic illness or chronic pain.
Meet a few of our therapists who specialize in chronic illness and chronic pain
Here are a few Carlisle Collective therapists who bring particular focus and experience to this work:
Liana Mauro
Specializes in chronic pain, trauma, and helping clients reconnect with their nervous system
LPC
Anna Lipkin
Focuses on chronic illness, nervous system regulation, and building sustainable self-care
LPC Associate
Graduate Student TherapistCatherine Alpeter
Works with autoimmune conditions, identity shifts, and mindfulness-based approaches
Other therapists on our team also support clients living with chronic illness and chronic pain.
Ready to find the right therapist for you?
We know that finding the right therapist can feel like one more exhausting thing to manage. Just reach out and let us know you're looking for support with chronic illness or chronic pain — we'll take it from there and match you with a therapist who truly understands this experience.