chronichealthsupport.co.uk – Counselling for those living with ME/CFS and other chronic illnesses

The awful reality of living with CFS/ME (and other chronic illnesses) means relentless debilitating symptoms, often in isolation, over years with little medical support and an unknown prognosis. Trying to cope with this and its repercussions may take you, to what feels like, the end of your resources. When things are difficult for us I believe in the critical importance and value of human connection and being heard. It takes more than resilience and perseverance to cope and most of us can benefit from a kind, non judgmental, confidential space to talk about the challenges. When we are physically ill it is vital we take care of our emotional and mental wellbeing. Counselling and emotional support can help break the cycle of stress and deteriorating health. The impact of kind intelligent emotional support is vastly underestimated.

This support for your mental wellbeing is crucially available to you in your own home via Skype or phone, so there is no pressure/need to get dressed or leave your bed.

It takes courage to ask for help, its uncomfortable - that's a normal reaction and not a reason not to.

This specialised help is based on both training and experience. I have a BSc in Human Biology from Kings College London which means I have some understanding about the medical background of the illness.I have an MSc in Social Work from the London School of Economics, so am a trained professional in working with others around complex life challenges. I have a Diploma in Counselling from Roehampton Institute and professional experience of working as a counsellor.

I adhere to the ethical framework of the BACP, am in ongoing supervision and am insured.

Along with the above, I believe my most helpful qualification to be living with the illness and other chronic autoimmune diseases for 20 years. I was mostly bedbound for the initial two years and virtually house bound for the next four. I continue to live with limitations.

Lorna Sturgis BSc. MSc. AKC. CQSW. DipCouns.

The daily struggle of life with ME/CFS presents an ongoing mental health challenge. Being chronically unwell means you may find it helpful to explore the issues, obstacles and demands from various angles and in various areas:

the long term nature of the struggle may have worn down your hope, your spirit and even whole sense of self
facing the loss of the life, role and health you had, alongside the ongoing loss of all you imagined for your life may leave you stuck in an unresolved grief cycle
being overwhelmed with feelings (vulnerability, frustration, anger, depression, anxiety) may be hampering your ability to rest
changes to the dynamics of your relationships may be disrupting and damaging
acknowledging the stigma of having a poorly understood illness may be helpful to explore
finding the self compassion that can help you may not come easily to you
the effects and challenges of physical isolation may be central to any deterioration in your wellbeing
past issues may be reawakened because of the extra strain on your mental health
trying to educate and/or communicate to others about your needs and health may be a significant challenge
the lack of help from medical Drs, at times being treated abysmally by those Drs, may also be a critical factor to the mental struggle you’re facing
endlessly and desperately making radical lifestyle adjustments all the while battling to hold onto hope is reason enough to benefit from some support

Counselling is about valuing humanness, honesty and vulnerability. Daring to voice what’s difficult might feel uncomfortable for you initially, but it may also feel a relief, to be able to tell the truth about how it is, having your experience honoured and heard. We often tend to downplay difficulties, and yet accepting where we find ourselves is the only place we can start from. I will not be able to make difficult things go away but I am interested in hearing what you are going through, helping you to sit with it compassionately and become more curious about what is and isn’t helping. I also am interested in the strengths you may have forgotten about, or got buried amidst your physical weakness – chronic illness means our sense of worth can take a battering.

Additionally, I believe in the value of becoming/being conscious of our emotional and mental life, in order that we can resist blending with either and so increase the possibility of making choices that will bring us peace. I hope with time I can help you gain insight and awareness of both your mental and emotional life. You may wish to explore the role of events, relationships and stresses (both past and present) on your health and current situation. Lastly, if you would like, I am interested in helping you feel more connected to your body and whole self through relaxation, self-compassion and mindfulness so that you can access your own wisdom about what’s going on for you and rest more effectively - learning to rest (physically and mentally) is perhaps the most valuable thing you can do for yourself.

The relationship you and I develop will be the biggest single factor towards a positive outcome so it is important you can see yourself feeling safe, comfortable and opening up to me. I will not be right for everyone, for this reason the first session is free.

"I have had a number of sessions with Lorna. She is highly empathic, intuitive and a discerning listener. I still find it weird to be talking to a counselling professional who understands ME - but in a good way! Her understanding of the emotional territory of life with ME is meeting a deep need in me to be heard. Her skill in relation to mindfulness is taking the therapeutic effect of our conversations to a deeper emotional level. 30 years of life with ME had taken its toll on my morale."

"Being housebound with ME I was looking for a way of lessening the isolation and making marginal gains with my health. Speaking to Lorna over the last few months has definitely done both. Lorna is compassionate, knowledgeable and has a genuine wish to help others with ME, qualities I have found both comforting and cathartic. As an added bonus she has really helped me with some mindfulness and relaxation techniques which are beginning to have an effect on my physical as well as emotional wellbeing. After 19 years with ME I thought I had tried everything so am particularly delighted to have found Lorna to help me cope/manage better. I was nervous about booking that first appointment but now I genuinely look forward to speaking to her."

Counselling for those living with ME/CFS and other chronic illnesses

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