Chronic Illness Existential-Humanistic - Serbian Language

Chronic Illness

Chronic illness has the ability to affect you in more ways than just medically. In fact, it can impact you psychologically. The degree of impact is dependent on the person's personality and the circumstances before the diagnosis. Support structure plays an important role on a person's ability to cope, but oftentimes, a person has to go through various stages of dealing with the condition before they are able to adjust to the realities of the chronic illness.

When a person is diagnosed with a chronic illness, he or she will go through a number of stages similar to the stages of grief. Denial, disbelief and shock are just some of the emotions a person experiences when a diagnosis is made, and it's natural for them to resist major changes. Eventually, they will become exhausted, when all they really want to do is to recover. At that point, fear and anxiety will set in and worry in the face of uncertainty of the future.

Sadness, grief and depression are common emotions when they consider the possibility of lost goals, hopes and dreams. Losing independence is a real fear, which becomes inevitable if an illness progresses and that brings about the fear of being a burden to loved ones, which brings on more anger, resentment and even shame.

Counselling can help a person to deal with the emotions relating to chronic illness and to cope with the stress and anxieties of accepting and coping with life changes. It will help to regain personal control over life and yourself.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who works with in chronically ill individuals you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Existential-Humanistic, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Communication Skills Training

Existential-Humanistic psychotherapies emphasize a collaborative approach to the understanding of the client's full experience rather than just the symptom, thoughts or behaviour. Psychological problems are viewed as the result of a restricted ability to make authentic, meaningful, and self-directed choices about how to live. Consequently, interventions are aimed at increasing client self-awareness and self-understanding. The key words for existential-humanistic therapy are acceptance and growth, responsibility and freedom.

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy encompasses a range of six principles that aim to help clients develop greater psychological flexibility. The six principles include:

1. Cognitive defusion help to reduce tendencies to regard thoughts, memories and emotions as real and concrete events.

2. Acceptance is about allowing the thoughts to surface and pass without the need to allow them to interfere with daily life.

3.  Being present means being aware of current existence and being involved with the now.

4. Self observation helps the client to be aware of the self and the unchanging consciousness.

5. Exploring values to discover those that are most important to the person.

6. Committed action involves setting goals based on the explored values, and setting actions in place to reach those goals.

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy is a form of cognitive behavioural therapy and is commonly used in therapy, and in it's sub-forms and helpful for a range of conditions, including OCD. If you require Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, have a look at the counsellors listed below.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a psychological approach that deals with the way in which clients think about themselves, other people and the world. The outside world affects how we think and feel about ourselves and as a result, our behaviour. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can help a person to change the way they think about thoughts and feelings, but it is not like other types of talk therapy.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy focuses on current issues and challenges that affect the client right now. It doesn't consider the past issues that caused distress, but rather looks for solutions that can improve the client's state of mind in the moment. Much of CBT involves looking at thought distortions that can affect mood and are affected by mood, and helps client examine and challenge distorted thinking patters.

CBT can help a range of problems, from OCD, PTSD, bulimia, stress, phobias and other issues that might seem overwhelming to the client, by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable chunks.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Communication Skills Training is a valuable investment in a world where technology has taken the place of verbal, eye-to-eye meetings. Misunderstandings have become common-place and lead to unnecessary breakdown in relationships.

People who feel that they know what they want to say, but don't know how to explain it, can benefit from Communication skills training. Communication skill can often mean the difference between effectively and ineffectively dealing with difficult people.

Communication skills training also help people to develop as people, and to prosper in their careers. Whether you want to be a better team member, or develop as a public speaker or educator, communication skills training will help you increase confidence levels and help you to communicate clearly and efficiently.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers communication skills training, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Note: You may narrow your search by selecting more than one filter below.

    • Online booking
I am a relationship and individual counsellor who focuses on supporting my clients in becoming more connected to eachother and to themselves.  Have you noticed that worrying is negatively impacting your life or... Read more

Fay Ferris

M.Ed., RCC
    • Audio on profile
 I am now offering online or virtual and telephone counselling only.  I have focused my practice on Couples Counselling and Individuals struggling with Depression and Anxiety and relationship isssues. Using... Read more

Phyllis Chan

M.Ed., CCC
    • Online booking
I am a Canadian Certified Counsellor with good standing. I have over 15 years of counselling experience. I completed my master's degree in counselling psychology at the University of British Columbia. I... Read more

TzuHsuan Lin

MCP:AT, RCC
    • Online booking
Dear Clients, Thank you for your courage to reach out and try counseling. It shows me your incredible strength and hope for a better balance of life and a better self.  I believe your life journey is a... Read more

Carly Degenstein

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Welcome! And Hello :) I'm Carly - an RCC (Registered Clinical Counsellor) that's had the honor of working as a therapist for over 5 years now. I run a private practice that... Read more

Lephuong Ong

Ph.D., R.Psych
Insight and Therapy:  It takes great courage and insight to make the decision to engage in therapy to examine and address the concerns that have been troubling you. Though it may seem daunting, therapy... Read more

Heather Webster

M.A., RCC
Heather Webster (she/her) is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). She holds a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia... Read more

Maria Boublil

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
Therapy is about achieving lasting change that improves your quality of life now and in the future. You may be looking for a therapist to talk to, but more importantly, you are looking for someone who can help you... Read more

Saba Hessamian

M.A., RCC
Accepting New Client! Talking about mental health is so brave and important. Congratulations in taking the first step in your healing and growth process. My goal is to help individuals in helping themselves in... Read more
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
With over a decade of experience as a clinical counsellor, I am dedicated to helping clients navigate life’s challenges and transitions. My commitment lies in creating a secure, non-judgmental, and confidential... Read more

Gayatri Saikia

M.Couns., RCC
    • Online booking
At A Hopeful Step, I offer a safe and non-judgmental space for you to share your story and embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing. I firmly believe that the therapeutic process... Read more

Judy Zhu

M.Ed., RCC
Are you struggling with depression, anxiety, addiction, or feeling stressed out? Are you also experiencing health issues such as digestion problems, poor sleep, pain and fatigue? I am a registered clinical... Read more

Geoff Williams

M.S.W., RCC
It takes courage to engage with therapy and self improvement. So please, let me commend you, and express that it is my privilege to work with you.   My name is Geoff Williams and I am of English, Scottish,... Read more

Kate Gustin

Ph.D., R.Psych
As a registered psychologist, I have helped hundreds of people over the past 25 years heal emotional wounds and recover peace of mind. If you're finding that your daily mood and quality of life are being... Read more

Adrienne Wang

Ph.D., R.Psych
We all have the potential to make meaningful changes to lead the lives we desire.  I specialize in helping adults with various concerns such as obsessions and/or compulsions, chronic worrying, social anxiety,... Read more

Mary Munro

M.A., RCC
I can help. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor practicing in Vic West, close to downtown.  Counselling can help you function better.  You may feel calmer and more effective, or find insights, meet... Read more

Coleen Adderley

M.A., RCC
Coleen is the Founder and Clinical Director of Reflective Soul Counselling. She is passionate about helping others and believes that each obstacle we face only makes us that much stronger.   Coleen has over... Read more

Marcia Stacey

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I work with people struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, relationship issues, trauma, low self-esteem, and life transitions. This can include any problematic emotions or problems that have become barriers to... Read more

Eli Norman

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I enjoy coming alongside my clients and helping them achieve personal growth, healing, and well-being. Facing problems alone can be overwhelming, whether it’s depression, anxiety, anger, mood swings, stress,... Read more

Angeline Vaughan

M.A., RCC
Angeline is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (#10058) and a member in good standing with the British Columbia Association of Clinical counsellors (BCACC). Angeline holds a Masters of Arts degree in Counselling... Read more