Alicia Dorn Counseling

Just wrapped the first of many Bi-Weekly Chronic Illness Group sessions. So powerful! It’s not too late to join if you’re a Maryland resident.

Don’t miss your opportunity for immediate community, support, and skills to cope with all the feelings coming with a chronic condition. 😊

Reserve your spot today.

https://aliciadorncounseling.com/group-counseling/

Have you been recently diagnosed with a chronic illness? Or perhaps you've been living with an undiagnosed condition for a while and it's been making it harder to feel like yourself? 😫

The journey with a chronic condition can be full of overwhelming changes to your life and how you feel.

But working with a therapist trained in helping you move forward with a chronic condition can enhance your life and give you hope to move forward. 🥰

Read my most recent blog to learn about the benefits of working with a mental health therapist to support you with all of these changes with your health. 👇

https://aliciadorncounseling.com/newly-diagnosed-chronic-illness/

7 Benefits Of Therapy When You Have A Newly Diagnosed Illness Working with a chronic illness therapist can help you tremendously when you've been newly diagnosed with a chronic condition.

What’s something you’re grateful for from this week - big or small? Share in the comments. 👇🥰

Setting long-term goals can be a positive experience for some, but it can also feel like you’re being insensitive, unrealistic or unfair to yourself when living with a chronic illness. And truthfully, it may not be what’s best for you. ❤️

That’s okay. Doing what's best for you will always be better than following along with what everyone else is doing.🥰

Try this instead:
✅ Set a daily goal of intention (big or small) to help you feel more present, fulfilled and connected with yourself.

What are you doing with intention today? Comment below. 👇🏽

Living with chronic illness can be an emotional and difficult experience. Fortunately, you don't have to live through it alone.❤️

As a therapist living with my own chronic condition (MS🧡), I know firsthand how important it is to be surrounded by supportive people who you don't have to always explain your condition to.

You want to feel seen, understood and encouraged to keep going during the moments of fear, sadness, grief and even anger that comes up relating to your health. 😊

I have two groups that could be of support for you on your journey.🙌

Whether you'd like to build a community of people who "get it," or you'd like to feel more confident in how to handle the difficult moments and health symptoms, we've got you covered. 💯

Schedule your free call with me today and secure your spot. 🥰

What a moment…

As a person living with Multiple Sclerosis, I stood up and shouted for when she walked onto the stage (from my living room couch). 🙌🏽

Many people likely see her and think, “Well she looks fine. And she has a cane.” 🤔

But what they don’t see is the time it likely took for her to get ready. The thought process of what it will take to walk out on stage appearinge differently to her peers and the world than they’re used to seeing her. The fact that she needed additional support to even get out on the stage, and the reminder that she’s not where she used to be because of her MS. And the reminder of how loved and cherished she is despite of all she’s going through (that others can’t see). Who knows where her energy level was that day or any other invisible symptoms she had at the time?!

It’s an emotional experience to face moments like these. But she faced it with bravery and toughness. She embraced the moment and tried to enjoy herself. 🥰

For all of those who are experiencing these moments of bravery, know that we see and support you. Keep going. 🧡

Try to connect with people, things and experiences that give your life meaning and joy. It’s sometimes a battle to get there, but those lemons could absolutely be worth the squeeze in the end. ☺️

Christina Applegate received a standing ovation when she made a rare public appearance to present the first award at the Emmys. Applegate, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2021 and who was nominated for her role in “Dead to Me,” was visibly overcome by the audience support. https://nyti.ms/48RFLvi

I’m so excited to have been featured and included on such an important topic. ☺️I know firsthand as a therapist living with my own chronic illness that it affects all areas of your life. It’s so important that your counselor knows how to support you in this area.

Take a read!

Coping With Stress & Uncertainty of Chronic Health Conditions Living with a chronic illness means many things including a great deal of questions and uncertainty. Here's how to start to make sense of it.

Taking care of yourself is hard enough, but what about caring for someone else? 👀

The life of a caregiver is honorable, but can feel overwhelming and stressful over time. Unfortunately the amount of time needed to focus on your loved one's needs can put you at risk of overlooking your own. 😞

If you or a loved one are noticing this in yourselves, you could possibly be experiencing signs of compassion fatigue. 💔

Here’s some information about it and how to deal with it moving forward. 👇

https://aliciadorncounseling.com/coping-with-compassion-fatigue-as-a-caregiver/

Coping With Compassion Fatigue As A Caregiver - Alicia Dorn Counseling Compassion fatigue or caregiver stress is the experience you have after caring for a sick loved one over a time. Here's how to cope.

Managing your chronic illness is a full-time job with no time off. And that difficulty goes to another level when you are faced with having to work a professional job at the same time. 💯

The challenges that you face when trying to make it all happen can make you question your own abilities, because your body doesn't respond that way as your colleagues. Yet you're held to the same expectations.😔

You're faced with pressures to "fake it til you make it" and push through as if nothing is happening. But ultimately, that's not always best or possible...😳

Deep down you know that your job is a huge part of your identity. You've worked so hard to get to this point, and the risk of having to leave your career or feel that it's impossible because of your health condition can make you question yourself and bring on a huge wave of grief. 💔

You want to be supported in getting the job done without having to cause more harm to your body in the process. You want to be able to provide for yourself and do things that are important to you. 🥰

There's absolutely nothing wrong with trying to make that happen.

Here are some important strategies and resources to help you work with your chronic condition moving forward.

https://aliciadorncounseling.com/working-with-chronic-illness/

How To Support Your Health While Working With A Chronic Illness Having to work while you have a chronic illness is hard. Here's ways to support your health while you face what lies ahead.

Tic-Borne Diseases can change your quality of life significantly. They’re not a myth and affect many people. And you don’t have to be out in the woods to get it. 😳

Personally, as someone who didn’t get the typical rash or know that a bite occurred, I’m grateful that my doctor tested me for it anyway and got me treatment immediately. ❤️

And although we caught it in earlier stages, it affected me pretty severely in my early twenties, delaying when I could start actually working as a therapist after graduate school because I was too sick to start.

Tic-Borne Disease can lead to a host of problems, including a range of neurological, physical and mental health concerns. 💯

If you suspect you have been bitten by a tic, request an infectious disease panel. It could save your life.🙏🏽

What It’s Like to Live With a Tick-Borne Disease Chronic pain, fatigue, rashes: As tick territories are expanding, so too are the number of illnesses they cause.

It's hard witnessing a parent feeling unwell without having your own emotional experience. It's what makes you human. 💔

Here are some ways to help you cope along the way. 🥰

https://aliciadorncounseling.com/coping-parents-illness/

Coping With Your Parent's Illness Without Falling Apart When your parent gets sick, it can be extremely stressful. Here's how to cope with a parent's illness in the healthiest way.

Have you been recently diagnosed with a chronic illness? Or are you awaiting an appointment to discuss test results with your doctor? 👀

These conversations with your doctor can be overwhelming, because you're faced with the task of receiving important news about your health and asking important questions while feeling a range of emotions at the same time. 🤯😓

That's a lot for anyone.🫤

Here are some important topics to discuss with your doctor to help ease the worries and feel more prepared.

Checklist Of Topics To Explore When You Have A Chronic Illness Talking with your doctor after being diagnosed with a chronic illnesses is critical. Use this checklist to help get the answers you need.

The relationship you have with your doctor is one of the most important relationships you'll ever have. You put a lot of trust in your them to see the things you can't and to support you with making the hard decisions relating to your health.❤

But sometimes the relationship with your medical provider can cause more harm than help, becoming toxic and bringing on anything but the warm and fuzzies. It's often in these moments when it's best to consider other options so that you can get back to focusing on your mental, emotional and physical healing. 😕

Here are some ways to end that toxic relationship unapologetically.👀

How To End A Toxic Relationship With Your Doctor Toxic relationships with doctors or other medical providers can be challenging to untangle. Here's how to end one and start over.

Living with a chronic illness is a FULL-TIME job. It changes how you see yourself and how you approach your life. 💯

Whether you’ve been recently diagnosed or been living with it for a while, it’s really difficult to keep going when you see how life is much harder for you than other people around you. 😢

From medical appointments, managing ongoing or new health symptoms, canceling plans to feeling misunderstood… it’s not surprising that you feel overwhelmed. 🤯

Here are some facts:
- 60% of people in the US live with at least one chronic condition.
- 40% of adults live with 2 or more chronic conditions.
- Those living with chronic conditions are more likely to experience high levels of worry, depression and social isolation as they manage their health condition.

That's a lot to take in... 🫤

But did you know that you can still live a meaningful life and feel more control over how you respond to your stress (even with a chronic illness)?? 👀

Yes, you can! 😊

Here’s how I can help you accomplish that…

I run 6-week Virtual Chronic Illness Skills Groups that help you manage your symptoms, improve your mood and build supportive relationships with others in the chronic illness community. 🙌

We practice specific strategies to help you respond to your body with compassion, soothe your anxiety, express your needs and meet yourself where you are TODAY. 👍

Come join a community that wants help getting out of survival mode and back to LIVING in ways that work best for them. 🥰

Schedule your free consultation today to secure your spot. 👇
https://aliciadorncounseling.com/group-counseling/

Motherhood is a joy and it has its challenges. And being the mother of a chronically ill child can make you feel alone on that journey, making you feel that not many people understand what you're going through. 💔

It's hard seeing your child live everyday with a condition that you can't make disappear. It's not a boo-boo that you can put a bandage on, kiss and make it all better. ❤️‍🩹

Instead you're faced with helping your child through it while trying to deal with how it changes your life, too. Not many people talk about the journey full of worries, sleepless nights, doctor appointments, sadness and even anger. 🫶

That's a lot to carry. 💯

But you don't have to carry that alone. We see you and there are supports that can help get you through. 🥰

This next blog post is just for you, moms. Check it out and share with other moms in the same boat.

How To Navigate Life As The Mother Of A Chronically Ill Child Parenting a chronically ill child comes with many challenges, as a mother of a kid with a chronic condition, here's advice to help you.

Living with a chronic condition can feel like an uphill battle, even when you feel like you're doing everything right. 💯

From doctor appointments, to medical treatments, exercise and healthy diet, and putting on a smile, sometimes it's not enough to get you through the days of feeling lost, left behind, alone, worried and angry. 😔

At the end of the day, even though there isn't a cure for your chronic illness, you want to feel relief and connection, confidence to manage your condition and express your needs, and to feel like you're LIVING (not just existing). 🥰

You deserve that. And I'm here to tell you that it's possible! 🙌

If you're tired of feeling stuck and you're ready to feel more connected with your life in a meaningful way, this group opportunity is just for you. ☺️

Living with a chronic condition can feel like an uphill battle, even when you feel like you're doing everything right. 💯

From doctor appointments, to medical treatments, exercise and healthy diet, and putting on a smile, sometimes it's not enough to get you through the days of feeling lost, left behind, alone, worried and angry. 😔

At the end of the day, even though there isn't a cure for your chronic illness, you want to feel relief and connection, confidence manage your condition and express your needs, and to feel like you're LIVING (not just existing). 🥰

You deserve that. And I'm here to tell you that it's possible! 🙌

If you're tired of feeling stuck and you're ready to feel more connected with your life in a meaningful way, this group opportunity is just for you. ☺️

This time of year as a parent can be stressful as you prepare for your child to return to school...especially if they have a chronic illness. 😫

My Return-to-School Checklist will help you feel more prepared for the transition back so that you don't have to do everything in a rush, forget important steps or get overwhelmed. 💪

Take a look and post it on your fridge. ☺️

Chronic Illness Checklist For Returning To School In The Fall This chronic illness checklist will help simplify life when your child returns to school and you have to manage paperwork, medicine and more.

The Summertime is known to many people as a time to live your life to the fullest. But it can also feel like a time to miss out and get left behind when living with a chronic illness. 😔

It’s not uncommon to feel lonely, incapable and frustrated when everyone else seems to be taking vacations without a care in the world. Meanwhile, your body isn’t responding well to the heat of Summer and your plans seem to keep being canceled because you don’t feel well enough to keep them. 😣

The connection, excitement and fulfillment you desire is still in reach for you. 🙌🏽

Starting next week, you can join others who want to learn how to have those things while managing their chronic condition.

Here are the details for the 3-Week Virtual Chronic Illness Skills Group below! 👇

Reserve your spot today. ☺️

For those grieving how their chronic illness has changed parts of your life (and how you see yourself), this one is for you. ❤️

Chronic illness grief is such a gut wrenching cycle. It’s full of ups and downs, regrets, tears and even joy.

Although your journey may not look like the next person, know that you’re not on this journey alone. ☺️

➡️ Share this if you or someone you know could use this encouragement.

It takes a village 🥰

How to Deal with Chronic Illness Grief of the Past Chronic illness grief is a common part of the healing process that many people face after being diagnoses with a chronic illness.

Living with a chronic illness is a full-time job with no time off, increasing the risk for social isolation, burnout and mental decline. That’s why I’m excited to host a 3-Week Virtual Chronic Illness Skills Group for adults (20-40) starting Tuesday August 1st. ☺️

This group provides immediate connections with other people living with chronic conditions.🥰🙌🏽

✅Meetings are twice weekly for 3 weeks.

✅Sessions will focus on practicing skills helping you manage your symptoms, boost your mood and build your confidence advocating for yourself in an ableist society.

✅Participants will also receive a FREE Chronic Illness Skills Group Workbook with enrollment.

✅Participation is open in all 50 states.

Toni Braxton recently talked about her journey with Lupus. I love that she’s open about not only her diagnosis, but the ups and downs she experiences as she moves forward.

One of the parts that spoke to me was how she can no longer perform as often as she used to, which is a grieving point for her. However she makes intention to do what she loves in ways that work for her today.

Have you noticed things in your life that have changed as a result of your health condition? What’s something that has changed for you?

Reminder: You’re allowed to grieve what’s changed in your life as a result of your chronic illness. Facing it helps you move forward with clarity and support. ❤️

Toni Braxton opens up about her lupus-related health emergency Grammy-award winning singer Toni Braxton reveals she experienced a life-threatening health scare after living with lupus for more than 15 years and shares ho...

Need some tips to help you support your chronically ill loved one? This is just for you. 👇

https://aliciadorncounseling.com/how-to-support-your-loved-one-living-with-a-chronic-illness/

✅ Comment below if you can relate.

✅ Like and Share this post for more tips.

How to Support Your Loved One Living with a Chronic Illness Your life has changed now that your loved one is living with a chronic illness. Learn how to support them and yourself moving forward.

Are you feeling lonely as you manage your chronic condition? 💔Here are some reasons why and some ways to deal with it.

https://aliciadorncounseling.com/4-reasons-your-chronic-condition-brings-feelings-of-loneliness/

4 Reasons Your Chronic Condition Brings Feelings of Loneliness Your chronic condition can often make you feel lonely. Here are some ways to combat loneliness and feel more connected with others.

There’s so much to consider after you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic health condition. Here are some things to avoid. 😬

https://aliciadorncounseling.com/5-things-not-to-do-after-receiving-a-chronic-illness-diagnosis/

5 Things Not to Do After Receiving a Chronic Illness Diagnosis Receiving a chronic illness diagnosis can be an emotional and confusing experience. Here are five things to avoid after getting the news.

Medical appointments can bring on worries for many reasons. Here are a few tips to help give you some relief. 😊

Click the link in my bio to learn how to deal with the "5 Reasons You're Feeling Medical Appointment Anxiety." ⬆️

Over 40% of school-aged children and teens live with at least one chronic illness.

This is a full-time job they didn't ask for, but society requires them to act and perform like a "normal" kid when their bodies have different needs. ❤️

The truth is... Your chronically ill teen likely feels nothing like "normal."

And that's hard to deal with when you want to fit in. 💯

There's hope. 🥰

Click the link in my bio to learn how to support your chronically ill teen. 😊

This one is for my MS Warriors and Caregivers. Let’s keep promoting awareness. 🧡

"P-Valley" Star Brandee Evans Talks Multiple Sclerosis Among Black People Brandee Evans, the star of Starz' hit series "P-Valley", is getting candid about her real-life role as her mother's caregiver. In addition to caring for her ...

I'm excited and honored to be speaking with the community about a chronic illness that affects so many people - over 58 million to be exact.💙

Looking forward to promoting awareness and support from the mental health perspective. ❤

Join us TONIGHT at 7pm EST! 😊

As a chronic illness therapist, I often hear people being discredited when they talk about their chronic illness because they're "too young," "don't look sick," or the "illness doesn't run in your family." 😳

Here are the facts for the USA:
✅ 6/10 adults live with at least one chronic illness.
✅ 4/10 adults have two or more chronic illnesses.
✅ More than 40% of school-aged children and adolescents have at least one chronic illness.

You can still receive a chronic illness diagnosis even if you seem healthy, make 6+ figures a year, or are below the age of 50. 💯

So, when someone tells you they are chronically ill, believe them even if you are surprised and confused.

It's more common than you'd think. 👀

Share this post to spread awareness. ❤