Chronic Pain, Illness & Injury

Chronic conditions don't just affect the body; they shift how you feel about yourself, how you relate to others, and how others relate to you. While medical and physical interventions are necessary to address the biological and physical aspects of a condition, the psychosomatic impact requires a specialized, supportive space to help you navigate and adapt. 

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My role is to help you find the courage and curiosity to change what you can and the strength and resilience to find meaning and acceptance in what you cannot.

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A Psychosomatic Approach to Management

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Together, we move beyond the limitations of a diagnosis to reclaim your right to pleasure and autonomy. My intervention focuses on:

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1. Rebuilding Self-Esteem and Body Image

Illness can make the body feel like an "enemy." We work on shifting the focus from what the body cannot do to appreciating what it can feel, fostering self-compassion and confidence.

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2. Expanding the "Menu" of Pleasure

If traditional intimacy is no longer comfortable or possible, we explore Adaptive Intimacy. This involves discovering different ways of giving and receiving pleasure, focusing on sensory awareness and "outercourse" rather than just penetration or performance.

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3. Stress & Nervous System Regulation

For autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, stress is often a major trigger. I utilize TRE (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises) to help your body "shake off" the physiological tension of chronic illness, helping to lower the baseline of pain and systemic inflammation.

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4. Communication and Partnership

I help couples navigate the delicate balance between the "caregiver/patient" dynamic and being romantic "partners". We create a safe space to discuss fears, negotiate expectations, and manage the pressure of performance.

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How Conditions Impact Intimacy

Different conditions present unique challenges to sexual well-being. Conditions within my scope of practice include: 

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• Chronic Pain (e.g., Fibromyalgia, IBS): Persistent pain and/or discomfort can lead to a "fear-avoidance" cycle where the brain associates touch with pain, causing the body to guard or tense up. This often impacts self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, and general mental health.

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• Metabolic & Systemic Illness (e.g., Diabetes, Prostate Cancer, Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer, SCC, HIV): These can impact blood flow, nerve sensitivity, and hormonal balance, often resulting in changes to arousal and/or desire. Furthermore, the stress of navigating a life-changing condition and the side effects of treatment can overwhelm the system, causing existential distress and diminishing the capacity for pleasure and connection.

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• Pelvic & Core Challenges (e.g.,Urinary/fecal incontinence): Concerns regarding bladder or bowel control can lead to significant anxiety, shame, and a withdrawal from physical closeness.

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• Life-Altering Injuries (e.g., Spinal Cord Injuries, Amputations): Significant injuries require a "re-mapping" of pleasure and a discovery of new ways to experience the body, and pleasure - alone and with a partner. Beyond practical adaptations, fostering an open mind creates fertile ground for new, fulfilling experiences. 

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