Chronic Pain & Illness
At Olive Branch Therapy Group, we understand that chronic illness affects every part of life — your identity, relationships, work, and sense of control. Our therapists provide compassionate, evidence-based support to help you manage stress, process grief, and strengthen emotional resilience while living with ongoing health challenges.
When your body demands constant care, your mind often carries the weight too.
- Autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, MS)
- Chronic pain or fatigue syndromes (e.g., fibromyalgia, ME/CFS)
- Endocrine and metabolic conditions (e.g., diabetes, thyroid disorders)
- Gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., Crohn’s disease, IBS)
- Neurological conditions (e.g., migraines, seizures, POTS)
- Long-term recovery from medical trauma or injury
- Post-viral or post-surgical complications
- Emotional distress linked to ongoing medical care or disability
Our goal is to help you live a fuller, calmer, and more supported life — even when your health doesn’t follow a predictable path.
Common Concerns We Support
Our Approach to Chronic Illness Therapy
We focus on both emotional and practical support, combining clinical techniques with empathy and flexibility. Therapy may help you process your experiences, manage stress, and rebuild trust in your body and yourself.
Our approaches may include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Identifies thought patterns that intensify pain, fear, or hopelessness.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Helps you live in alignment with your values, even when symptoms persist.
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): Builds awareness and calm through body-based mindfulness and breathwork.
- Trauma-Informed Therapy: Addresses medical trauma, anxiety around care, and feelings of loss or isolation.
- Grief and Adjustment Counseling: Supports emotional processing and self-compassion as you adapt to life changes.
- Psychoeducation: Provides strategies for pacing, boundary-setting, and communicating needs with loved ones or healthcare providers.
Our therapists recognize that chronic illness isn’t just physical — it’s emotional, relational, and deeply personal. We meet you where you are, helping you find ways to cope, communicate, and feel more in control of your day-to-day life.
What to Expect in Therapy
Every client’s experience is different, but therapy often includes:
Therapy is designed to adapt with you — offering structure and support even as your symptoms or circumstances change.
On-going reflection
Process grief, celebrate progress, and build sustainable resilience over time.
Develop communication strategies for healthcare, family, or work contexts.
support integration
Learn coping tools for pain management, fatigue, and emotional regulation.
skill-building
Identify patterns of thought and behavior that may amplify distress.
exploration
Share your health history, current challenges, and emotional needs.
FIRST SESSION
- Reduce anxiety, depression, and burnout
- Manage pain and fatigue more effectively
- Strengthen self-advocacy and communication with providers
- Process grief, frustration, and fear
- Improve boundaries and emotional well-being
- Reconnect with joy, meaning, and hope
Why Therapy Matters for Chronic Illness
Start Chronic Illness Therapy in New Jersey
If you’re living with chronic illness or ongoing pain and need support, Olive Branch Therapy Group can help. Our licensed therapists offer Chronic Illness Therapy in East Brunswick, Somerville, and online across New Jersey.
