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The Chronic Illness Therapists
Destiny Davis LPC CRC
144 episodes
1 week ago
Disrupting the mental health and medical system for people with chronic, invisible illnesses. We will no longer accept lack of answers, empathy, and guidance from the professionals we are told to trust. It’s not in your head, you are not a burden, and we’ll prove that to you one episode at a time. I'm an Atlanta-based mental health therapist specializing in chronic pain / invisible illnesses. This podcast is for educational and insight purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for mental health treatment. Always seek medical advice before making changes to your health regimens.
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Mental Health
Health & Fitness
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All content for The Chronic Illness Therapists is the property of Destiny Davis LPC CRC and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Disrupting the mental health and medical system for people with chronic, invisible illnesses. We will no longer accept lack of answers, empathy, and guidance from the professionals we are told to trust. It’s not in your head, you are not a burden, and we’ll prove that to you one episode at a time. I'm an Atlanta-based mental health therapist specializing in chronic pain / invisible illnesses. This podcast is for educational and insight purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for mental health treatment. Always seek medical advice before making changes to your health regimens.
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Mental Health
Health & Fitness
Episodes (20/144)
The Chronic Illness Therapists
Ep 111: What Therapy Actually Looks Like When You Have POTS with Dr. Laurie Dos Santos

FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS:

SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE TRAINING Jan 10th! The Countertransference & Chronic Illness Intensive

⁠Click here to register!⁠


🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6&7, 2026!⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠REGISTER HERE!⁠⁠⁠⁠


NON THERAPISTS: SIGN UP FOR DESTINY'S NEXT LIVE WORKSHOP

The Masks We Wear: Navigating Chronic Illness in Social Contexts on January 3rd!

⁠⁠⁠⁠→ Register Here!


JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠⁠⁠⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)


Episode summary:

In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Laurie Dos Santos shares her approach to supporting adolescents and young adults with POTS, dysautonomia, and chronic fatigue syndrome. With advanced training in these often-dismissed conditions and a background in designing innovative support groups, Dr. Dos Santos brings both clinical expertise and genuine warmth to her work with young people navigating complex medical and mental health challenges.

Dr. Dos Santos reminds us that even with the best intentions, the healthcare system consistently dismisses people with POTS and dysautonomia. Her practice, Evolvinn Therapy and Consulting, now serves clients across 43 states and runs 13 chronic illness support groups, creating the community and specialized care that this population desperately needs.


MEET DESTINY:⁠⁠ ⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠BlueSky⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠

MEET GUEST: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ / ⁠Instagram⁠ / Facebook


⁠⁠→ ⁠READ THE BLOG FOR THIS EPISODE⁠⁠


ASK DESTINY ANYTHING

→ ⁠⁠⁠Submit your questions here⁠⁠⁠


FOR YOU, OUR PODCAST LISTENERS:


JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠⁠⁠⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)


FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS:


🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6&7, 2026!⁠⁠ ⁠REGISTER HERE!⁠⁠


🛋️ ⁠⁠⁠Join The Mastermind!⁠⁠⁠ (monthly business and clinical consultation calls for medical professionals specializing in working with patients with chronic illnesses)


🧭 Get Your Client Roadmap For Navigating Complex Trauma and Chronic Illness (specifically for mental health therapists) (COMING SOON-⁠⁠ ⁠sign up for the waitlist⁠⁠⁠)


WANT TO SAY THANKS? - Reviews tell the app, “hey, people like this! Show it in the algorithm to more people!” :)

💜 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠

🟢 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify⁠⁠⁠


Disclaimer: Everything we talk about here is just meant to be general education and information. It's not intended as personal mental health or medical advice. If you have any questions related to your unique circumstances, please contact a licensed therapist or medical professional in your state of residence.

Show more...
3 weeks ago
43 minutes 12 seconds

The Chronic Illness Therapists
EP 110: The Free Resource That's Helping People With Lung Disease Feel Less Alone with Tiffany Quicke

FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS:

SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE TRAINING Jan 10th! The Countertransference & Chronic Illness Intensive

Click here to register!


🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6&7, 2026!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠REGISTER HERE!⁠⁠⁠


NON THERAPISTS: SIGN UP FOR DESTINY'S NEXT LIVE WORKSHOP

⁠⁠⁠→ Upcoming Workshops!⁠⁠


JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠⁠⁠⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)


Episode summary:

Tiffany Quicke is a Respiratory Therapist and Certified Asthma Educator and works as a Lung Health Navigator for the American Lung Association. She has over 20 years of experience working in Pulmonary Rehab and has been with the American Lung Association for 2 years. Her primary role includes being the lead Lung Health Navigator on both the COPD and Pulmonary Fibrosis education programs.

In this conversation, we cover:

  • Why lung.org serves as a critical resource hub that bridges the gap between rushed medical appointments and the support patients actually need—from proper inhaler technique to end-of-life planning

  • How isolation and the stoic "don't ask for help" mentality create barriers for patients, and why having someone to simply talk to can be life-changing for people who are homebound and talk to no one

  • Why shame and guilt are so prevalent among COPD patients (particularly those whose disease stems from smoking), and how both patients and their overwhelmed caregivers need support to navigate grief and role changes

  • How therapy and resource navigation work hand-in-hand—you need both the practical support that organizations like the American Lung Association provide and the mental health care to truly thrive with chronic illness

  • Why 76% of Americans now have at least one chronic condition, yet we're still fighting against a healthcare system designed around individualism rather than community support—and why recent Medicare telehealth restrictions are devastating for patients who can barely walk to the bathroom

Tiffany reminds us that in a healthcare system where doctors don't have time to explain how to use an inhaler or discuss what to expect at the end of life, organizations like the American Lung Association fill an essential gap. Her work isn't just about education—it's about being a consistent human presence for people who often talk to no one and go nowhere, reminding them they're not alone in navigating their diagnosis.


Contact Tiffany and Access Resources:

  • Lung Navigator Website

  • Lung Helpline: 866-252-2959

MEET DESTINY:⁠⁠ ⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠BlueSky⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠

MEET GUEST: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ / ⁠Instagram⁠ / Lung Helpline: 866-252-2959


⁠⁠→ ⁠READ THE BLOG FOR THIS EPISODE⁠⁠


FOR YOU, OUR PODCAST LISTENERS:


JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠⁠⁠⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)


🛋️ ⁠⁠⁠Join The Mastermind!⁠⁠⁠ (monthly business and clinical consultation calls for medical professionals specializing in working with patients with chronic illnesses)


WANT TO SAY THANKS - Reviews tell the app, “hey, people like this! Show it in the algorithm to more people!” :)

💜 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠

🟢 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify⁠⁠⁠


Disclaimer: Everything we talk about here is just meant to be general education and information. It's not intended as personal mental health or medical advice. If you have any questions related to your unique circumstances, please contact a licensed therapist or medical professional in your state of residence.

Show more...
1 month ago
42 minutes 12 seconds

The Chronic Illness Therapists
Ep 109: How to Actually Get Heard by Your Doctors (Without Getting Dismissed) w/ Kayla Thompson-Riviere

FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS:

🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6&7, 2026!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠REGISTER HERE!⁠⁠⁠


SIGN UP FOR DESTINY'S NEXT LIVE WORKSHOP

⁠⁠⁠→ ⁠Parenting Sensory Kids + The Holidays (Chronic Illness Edition) with Rachael Lopez OTR/L!⁠⁠⁠


JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠⁠⁠⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)


Episode summary:

In this episode, registered nurse and personal medical strategist Kayla Thompson-Riviere shares practical strategies for getting off what she calls the "medical merry-go-round" when you're stuck, dismissed, or misdiagnosed.

In this conversation, we cover:

  • Why leading with data instead of emotions helps providers take you seriously

  • How to prepare for appointments like business meetings with clear agendas

  • The "breadcrumb technique" for guiding doctors toward the right tests without triggering defensiveness

  • Why bringing someone to appointments can be crucial for advocacy

  • How to handle dismissal by requesting documentation of declined tests

  • Why the healthcare system isn't broken—it's working exactly as designed, just not for patients

Kayla reminds us that even with clinical training, being the patient activates the emotional brain in ways that make self-advocacy incredibly difficult. Her work focuses on being that clinical partner who takes the time to know everything about you and helps coordinate the care you deserve.



MEET DESTINY:⁠⁠ ⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠BlueSky⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠

MEET GUEST: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ / ⁠Facebook / Kayla’s Medical Roadmap


⁠⁠→ ⁠READ THE BLOG FOR THIS EPISODE⁠⁠


ASK DESTINY ANYTHING

→ ⁠⁠⁠Submit your questions here⁠⁠⁠


FOR YOU, OUR PODCAST LISTENERS:

JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠⁠⁠⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)


FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS:

🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6&7, 2026!⁠⁠ ⁠REGISTER HERE!⁠⁠

🛋️ ⁠⁠⁠Join The Mastermind!⁠⁠⁠ (monthly business and clinical consultation calls for medical professionals specializing in working with patients with chronic illnesses)

🧭 Get Your Client Roadmap For Navigating Complex Trauma and Chronic Illness (specifically for mental health therapists) (COMING SOON-⁠⁠ ⁠sign up for the waitlist⁠⁠⁠)


WANT TO SAY THANKS - Reviews tell the app, “hey, people like this! Show it in the algorithm to more people!” :)

💜 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠

🟢 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify⁠⁠⁠


Disclaimer: Everything we talk about here is just meant to be general education and information. It's not intended as personal mental health or medical advice. If you have any questions related to your unique circumstances, please contact a licensed therapist or medical professional in your state of residence.

Show more...
1 month ago
52 minutes 37 seconds

The Chronic Illness Therapists
Ep 108: When Your Doctor Believes You: Finding Care For EDS, POTS, MCAS w/ Kara Pepper, MD

FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS:

🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6&7, 2026!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠REGISTER HERE!⁠⁠⁠


SIGN UP FOR DESTINY'S NEXT LIVE WORKSHOP

⁠⁠⁠→ ⁠Parenting Sensory Kids + The Holidays (Chronic Illness Edition) with Rachael Lopez OTR/L!⁠⁠⁠


JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠⁠⁠⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)


Episode summary:

Dr. Kara Pepper joins the podcast to discuss her approach to treating the vastly overlooked triad of EDS, POTS, and MCAS, along with eating disorders. After leaving the commercial healthcare model to open her own practice, Dr. Pepper now spends an hour with patients instead of 10 minutes, giving her time to actually listen and put together the puzzle pieces that other doctors miss. She explains why validation is often the most therapeutic thing she offers, how she navigates the gray space of diseases without reliable testing, and why some of her most dramatic patient improvements come from looking at blood vessel compression rather than just prescribing more salt and water. We also talk about the nuanced role of GLP-1s in MCAS treatment, why compounded medications matter for this population, and her philosophy that patients should drive their own healthcare WITH proper medical guidance. This conversation is for anyone who's been told their labs are normal while feeling anything but fine.


MEET DESTINY:⁠⁠ ⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠BlueSky⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠

MEET GUEST: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ / ⁠Instagram⁠ / YouTube


⁠⁠→ ⁠READ THE BLOG FOR THIS EPISODE⁠⁠


ASK DESTINY ANYTHING

→ ⁠⁠⁠Submit your questions here⁠⁠⁠


FOR YOU, OUR PODCAST LISTENERS:

JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠⁠⁠⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)


FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS:

🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6&7, 2026!⁠⁠ ⁠REGISTER HERE!⁠⁠


🛋️ ⁠⁠⁠Join The Mastermind!⁠⁠⁠ (monthly business and clinical consultation calls for medical professionals specializing in working with patients with chronic illnesses)


🧭 Get Your Client Roadmap For Navigating Complex Trauma and Chronic Illness (specifically for mental health therapists) (COMING SOON-⁠⁠ ⁠sign up for the waitlist⁠⁠⁠)


WANT TO SAY THANKS - Reviews tell the app, “hey, people like this! Show it in the algorithm to more people!” :)

💜 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠

🟢 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify⁠⁠⁠


Disclaimer: Everything we talk about here is just meant to be general education and information. It's not intended as personal mental health or medical advice. If you have any questions related to your unique circumstances, please contact a licensed therapist or medical professional in your state of residence.

Show more...
1 month ago
48 minutes 58 seconds

The Chronic Illness Therapists
Ep 107: Finding Safety Despite Medical Trauma with Sarah Stasica LMSW

FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS:

🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6&7, 2026!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠REGISTER HERE!⁠⁠⁠


SIGN UP FOR DESTINY'S NEXT LIVE WORKSHOP

⁠⁠⁠→ Parenting Sensory Kids + The Holidays (Chronic Illness Edition) with Rachael Lopez OTR/L!⁠⁠


JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠⁠⁠⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)


Episode summary:

In this episode, Sarah Stasica, LMSW and founder of the membership community Medical Trauma Support, joins me to talk about the realities of healing from medical trauma and why going slowly might be the best thing you can do for your nervous system. We explore why people isolate during medical crises, the overlap between complex trauma and medical trauma, how our nervous system responses show up in our bodies, and why befriending your body isn't about positive thinking but about building the capacity to trust yourself again. Sarah reminds us that this work isn't fast or overnight, and that our nervous systems deserve to be treated gently and slowly, even when parts of us think we don't deserve that care.


MEET DESTINY:⁠⁠ ⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠BlueSky⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠

MEET GUEST: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ / ⁠Instagram⁠ / YouTube / Facebook / Podcast

Check out Sarah’s Befriend Your Body Membership here!


⁠⁠→ ⁠READ THE BLOG FOR THIS EPISODE⁠⁠


ASK DESTINY ANYTHING

→ ⁠⁠⁠Submit your questions here⁠⁠⁠


FOR YOU, OUR PODCAST LISTENERS:

JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠⁠⁠⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)


FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS:

🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6&7, 2026!⁠⁠ ⁠REGISTER HERE!⁠⁠

🛋️ ⁠⁠⁠Join The Mastermind!⁠⁠⁠ (monthly business and clinical consultation calls for medical professionals specializing in working with patients with chronic illnesses)

🧭 Get Your Client Roadmap For Navigating Complex Trauma and Chronic Illness (specifically for mental health therapists) (COMING SOON-⁠⁠ ⁠sign up for the waitlist⁠⁠⁠)


WANT TO SAY THANKS - Reviews tell the app, “hey, people like this! Show it in the algorithm to more people!” :)

💜 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠

🟢 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify⁠⁠⁠


Disclaimer: Everything we talk about here is just meant to be general education and information. It's not intended as personal mental health or medical advice. If you have any questions related to your unique circumstances, please contact a licensed therapist or medical professional in your state of residence.

Show more...
2 months ago
52 minutes 19 seconds

The Chronic Illness Therapists
Ep 106: Finding Joy While Chronically Ill w/ Dr. Brentia Caldwell-Smith Ph.D., LPC, NCC, ACS, CPCS

FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS:

🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6&7, 2026!⁠⁠ ⁠REGISTER HERE!⁠⁠


SIGN UP FOR DESTINY'S NEXT LIVE WORKSHOP

⁠⁠→ Upcoming Workshops!⁠


JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠⁠⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠⁠⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)


Episode summary:

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Brentia Caldwell-Smith, founder of the UP Center and a licensed professional counselor who specializes in chronic illness navigation. We discuss disenfranchised grief—the kind of loss that comes with chronic illness that people don't always recognize or validate—and explore how cultural expectations around strength, religion, and perseverance can complicate the healing process. Dr. Brentia shares her personal experience living with lupus and interstitial lung disease, and we talk about the importance of building community, finding joy in the midst of uncertainty, and making your life work for you even when it looks different than you expected. This conversation is full of practical wisdom about connecting with others, prioritizing your own needs, and refusing to let illness take away your ability to have fun and live fully.


MEET DESTINY:⁠ ⁠Website⁠⁠ /⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ /⁠ ⁠BlueSky⁠⁠ /⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ /⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠

MEET GUEST: ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠ / Instagram


⁠→ ⁠READ THE BLOG FOR THIS EPISODE⁠


ASK DESTINY ANYTHING

→ ⁠⁠Submit your questions here⁠⁠


FOR YOU, OUR PODCAST LISTENERS:

JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠⁠⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠⁠⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)


FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS:

🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6&7, 2026!⁠ ⁠REGISTER HERE!⁠


🛋️ ⁠⁠Join The Mastermind!⁠⁠ (monthly business and clinical consultation calls for medical professionals specializing in working with patients with chronic illnesses)


🧭 Get Your Client Roadmap For Navigating Complex Trauma and Chronic Illness (specifically for mental health therapists) (COMING SOON-⁠ ⁠sign up for the waitlist⁠⁠)


WANT TO SAY THANKS - Reviews tell the app, “hey, people like this! Show it in the algorithm to more people!” :)

💜 ⁠⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠

🟢 ⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify⁠⁠


Disclaimer: Everything we talk about here is just meant to be general education and information. It's not intended as personal mental health or medical advice. If you have any questions related to your unique circumstances, please contact a licensed therapist or medical professional in your state of residence.

Show more...
2 months ago
38 minutes 25 seconds

The Chronic Illness Therapists
Ep 105: When Your Labs Are Normal But Your Body Isn't: Understanding Invisible Illness with Dr. Kara Wada

FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS:

🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6&7, 2026!⁠ ⁠REGISTER HERE!⁠


SIGN UP FOR DESTINY'S NEXT LIVE WORKSHOP

⁠→ Upcoming Workshops!


JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)


Episode summary:

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Kara Wada, a board-certified allergist and immunologist who also lives with Sjögren's disease and dysautonomia. We talk about what happens when your labs come back "normal" but your body is anything but, why 30-40% of people with Sjögren's have normal blood work, and how to navigate the gap between a medical system that dismisses you and wellness influencers who promise quick fixes. Dr. Kara shares her own story of going down the supplement rabbit hole, the three questions to ask when vetting providers, and why hypervigilance—both mental and physical—keeps so many people stuck in chronic illness. We also dig into the 80/20 rule for symptom management, the concept of de-prescribing, and why partnership beats certainty every single time. If you've ever felt too complicated for the system or been told it's all in your head, this conversation is for you.


MEET DESTINY: ⁠Website⁠ / ⁠Instagram⁠ / ⁠BlueSky⁠ / ⁠YouTube⁠ / ⁠TikTok⁠

MEET GUEST: ⁠Website⁠ / Instagram / YouTube

Dr. Kara offers virtual consultations and direct care memberships through the Immune Confident Institute for individuals navigating allergies, autoimmunity, and chronic inflammation.


→ ⁠READ THE BLOG FOR THIS EPISODE


ASK DESTINY ANYTHING

→ ⁠Submit your questions here⁠


FOR YOU, OUR PODCAST LISTENERS:

JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)


FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS:

🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6&7, 2026! ⁠REGISTER HERE!


🛋️ ⁠Join The Mastermind!⁠ (monthly business and clinical consultation calls for medical professionals specializing in working with patients with chronic illnesses)


🧭 Get Your Client Roadmap For Navigating Complex Trauma and Chronic Illness (specifically for mental health therapists) (COMING SOON- ⁠sign up for the waitlist⁠)


WANT TO SAY THANKS - Reviews tell the app, “hey, people like this! Show it in the algorithm to more people!” :)

💜 ⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠

🟢 ⁠Leave a rating on Spotify⁠


Disclaimer: Everything we talk about here is just meant to be general education and information. It's not intended as personal mental health or medical advice. If you have any questions related to your unique circumstances, please contact a licensed therapist or medical professional in your state of residence.

Show more...
2 months ago
50 minutes 34 seconds

The Chronic Illness Therapists
Ep 104: The Emotional Burden of Chronic Illness w/ Kate Zera Kray LCSW

SIGN UP FOR DESTINY'S NEXT LIVE WORKSHOP

→ Financial Wellness for Chronic Medical Conditions


JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)

**


Episode summary:

In this episode, clinical social worker and psychotherapist Kate Zera Kray joins Destiny to explore Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and its powerful application for those living with chronic illness. Kate breaks down the three types of "parts" we all have – managers (our organized protectors), firefighters (our emergency responders), and exiles (the vulnerable parts holding our pain) – and explains how chronic illness can send these internal systems into overdrive. Through personal stories about Lyme disease, diabetes management, and the challenge of de-identifying from illness, they discuss how understanding our protective parts can lead to more self-compassion during the medical journey. The conversation illuminates why over-identification with illness can be protective during acute treatment phases, and how creativity becomes essential for problem-solving when traditional approaches fail. Kate emphasizes the importance of "unblending" from our parts to access our core Self, characterized by qualities like curiosity, compassion, and creativity – offering a new framework for navigating the complex emotional landscape of chronic illness with greater understanding and grace.



MEET DESTINY: Website / Instagram / BlueSky / YouTube / TikTok

MEET GUEST: Website / licensed in GA and IL


SIGN UP FOR DESTINY'S NEXT LIVE WORKSHOP

→ Financial Wellness for Chronic Medical Conditions


→ READ THE BLOG FOR THIS EPISODE


ASK DESTINY ANYTHING

→ Submit your questions here


FOR YOU, OUR PODCAST LISTENERS


JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)


FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON event in Atlanta, GA, in the Spring or Fall of 2026! Sign up for the waitlist here!

🛋️ Join The Mastermind! (monthly business and clinical consultation calls for medical professionals specializing in working with patients with chronic illnesses)

🧭 Get Your Client Roadmap For Navigating Complex Trauma and Chronic Illness (specifically for mental health therapists) (COMING SOON- sign up for the waitlist)

**


WANT TO SAY THANKS - Reviews tell the app, “hey, people like this! Show it in the algorithm to more people!” :)

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify

**

Disclaimer: Everything we talk about here is just meant to be general education and information. It's not intended as personal mental health or medical advice. If you have any questions related to your unique circumstances, please contact a licensed therapist or medical professional in your state of residence.


Show more...
2 months ago
40 minutes 36 seconds

The Chronic Illness Therapists
Ep 103: Your Pain Is FaceTiming, It Wants To Tell You Something w/ Kelly Clark DPT

SIGN UP FOR DESTINY'S NEXT LIVE WORKSHOP

→ Financial Wellness for Chronic Medical Conditions


**

JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)


**

Episode summary: In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Kelly Clark, a physical therapist and owner of Patient PT in Bloomington, Indiana, to challenge the popular narrative that chronic pain is a "false alarm." Kelly shares her personal journey with chronic pain and explains why pain is actually valuable biological data that deserves our attention, not dismissal. We explore the crucial difference between "good pain" and "bad pain" in therapeutic exercise, why the relational aspect of healing matters so much for chronic pain recovery, and how learning to listen to smaller pain signals can prevent your nervous system from turning up the volume. Kelly also walks us through a fascinating case study on headaches, demonstrating how understanding anatomy and building trust with your body are both essential for healing. If you've been told your chronic pain is "all in your head" or you're struggling with the "push through it" mentality, this conversation offers a refreshing and hopeful perspective on working with your pain rather than against it.


→ READ THE BLOG FOR THIS EPISODE



MEET DESTINY: Website / Instagram / BlueSky / YouTube / TikTok


MEET GUEST: Website / Instagram

→ READ THE BLOG FOR THIS EPISODE


ASK DESTINY ANYTHING

→ Submit your questions here


FOR YOU, OUR PODCAST LISTENERS

JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)


FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON event in Atlanta, GA, in the Spring or Fall of 2026! Sign up for the waitlist here!

🛋️ Join The Mastermind! (monthly business and clinical consultation calls for medical professionals specializing in working with patients with chronic illnesses)

🧭 Get Your Client Roadmap For Navigating Complex Trauma and Chronic Illness (specifically for mental health therapists) (COMING SOON- sign up for the waitlist)


**

WANT TO SAY THANKS - Reviews tell the app, “hey, people like this! Show it in the algorithm to more people!” :)

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify

**

Disclaimer: Everything we talk about here is just meant to be general education and information. It's not intended as personal mental health or medical advice. If you have any questions related to your unique circumstances, please contact a licensed therapist or medical professional in your state of residence.


Show more...
2 months ago
58 minutes 36 seconds

The Chronic Illness Therapists
Ep 102: Burnout Is Predictable - But Prevention Requires More Than Willpower w/ Kamilah Jones, PharmD, LPC, CRC

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEXT LIVE WORKSHOP

⁠→ Financial Wellness for Chronic Medical Conditions⁠ Oct 25th 2025 @ 12 EST

  • :Understanding your relationship with money and building practical strategies that work with your chronic illness reality.


Episode Summary: In this episode, Destiny sits down with Kamilah Jones, PharmD, LPC, CRC, to explore the crucial difference between stress and burnout, particularly for healthcare professionals. Kamilah shares her personal journey from pharmacist to therapist, including her own experience with burnout while building her private practice - and why knowing what to do wasn't enough to prevent it. They talk about why healthcare workers are uniquely vulnerable to burnout due to competitive training, emotional labor, and systemic constraints, and discuss the uncomfortable truth that resources (financial, social, and professional support) often matter more than resilience when it comes to recovery. The conversation covers practical strategies for healthcare providers, including the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, knowing when to refer out, and recognizing the signs that professional help is needed. Kamilah offers a free self-care guide for stress and burnout at InTouch Wellness, and both hosts emphasize that asking for help isn't weakness - it's wisdom.


Resources mentioned → ⁠Kamilah's Self-Care Guide


MEET DESTINY: Website / Instagram / BlueSky / YouTube / TikTok

MEET GUEST: Website / Instagram / LinkedI


READ THE BLOG FOR THIS EPISODE

→ Burnout Is Predictable - But Prevention Requires More Than Willpower w/ Kamilah Jones


ASK DESTINY ANYTHING

→ Submit your questions here

FOR YOU, OUR PODCAST LISTENERS

→ Join The Membership (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)


FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

🛋️ Join The Mastermind! (monthly business and clinical consultation calls for medical professionals specializing in working with patients with chronic illnesses)

🧭 Get Your Client Roadmap For Navigating Complex Trauma and Chronic Illness (specifically for mental health therapists) (COMING SOON- sign up for the waitlist)

**


SAY THANKS - Reviews tell the app, “hey, people like this! Show it in the algorithm to more people!” :)

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify

**

Disclaimer: Everything we talk about here is just meant to be general education and information. It's not intended as personal mental health or medical advice. If you have any questions related to your unique circumstances, please contact a licensed therapist or medical professional in your state of residence.


Show more...
3 months ago
51 minutes 17 seconds

The Chronic Illness Therapists
Ep 101: When Past Injuries Cause Current Problems w/ Rick Olderman

SIGN UP FOR DESTINY'S NEXT LIVE WORKSHOP

→ ⁠Creating a Restorative Home: Environmental & Sensory Support for Chronic Illness Recovery⁠



JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)

**


Episode summary:

In this episode, sports and orthopedic physical therapist Rick Olderman explains why chronic pain is a systems problem, not a component problem, and how our medical system's focus on individual tissues misses the bigger picture. Through fascinating patient stories - like how a 20-year-old ankle injury can cause back pain 30 years later when left unchecked - Rick demonstrates how compensation patterns create chains of dysfunction throughout the body. We explore the science of myofibroblasts, specialized connective tissue that responds to stress hormones and provides a real, physical pathway for how emotional states manifest as tension in the body. This conversation challenges the false dichotomy of pain being "all physical" or "all mental" and offers hope for people who've been told "nothing's wrong" while living with very real symptoms.


Resources mentioned:

→ Rick's Youtube Channel


MEET DESTINY: Website / Instagram / BlueSky / YouTube / TikTok

MEET GUEST: Website / Facebook


→ READ THE BLOG FOR THIS EPISODE


ASK DESTINY ANYTHING

→ Submit your questions here


FOR YOU, OUR PODCAST LISTENERS:


JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)


FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS:

🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON event in Atlanta, GA, in the Spring or Fall of 2026! Sign up for the waitlist here!

🛋️ Join The Mastermind! (monthly business and clinical consultation calls for medical professionals specializing in working with patients with chronic illnesses)

🧭 Get Your Client Roadmap For Navigating Complex Trauma and Chronic Illness (specifically for mental health therapists) (COMING SOON- sign up for the waitlist)

**

WANT TO SAY THANKS - Reviews tell the app, “hey, people like this! Show it in the algorithm to more people!” :)

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify

**

Disclaimer: Everything we talk about here is just meant to be general education and information. It's not intended as personal mental health or medical advice. If you have any questions related to your unique circumstances, please contact a licensed therapist or medical professional in your state of residence.


Show more...
3 months ago
1 hour 2 minutes 21 seconds

The Chronic Illness Therapists
Ep 100: When Trying Harder Makes It Worse: A Different Approach to Chronic Illness Recovery⁠

JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)

→ The Family Waiting Room - Do your partner, spouse, friends, parents try to support you but they just don’t know how? Send them their own version of support here!


**


Episode summary:

In this episode, I sit down with Shana Evans Basset, a Licensed Professional Counselor from Atlanta, to explore the complex intersection of chronic illness, emotional regulation, and healing. We get into why living with chronic pain is like being trapped in an abusive relationship you can't leave, the profound grief that comes with losing the life you thought you'd have, and how our "snap out of it" culture makes everything harder. Shana explains why emotional regulation isn't about fixing yourself or positive thinking your way out of symptoms - it's about learning to be with uncertainty, accepting what you can't control, and recognizing when trying harder actually makes things worse. We also discuss the crucial role of community support, the isolation that comes with chronic illness, and how real healing often happens when we allow ourselves to fully grieve our losses rather than pushing through them.


MEET DESTINY: Website / Instagram / BlueSky / YouTube / TikTok

MEET GUEST: Website / Instagram


SIGN UP FOR DESTINY'S NEXT LIVE WORKSHOP

→ Creating A Restorative Home: Environmental & Sensory Support for Chronic Illness Recovery

https://www.thechronicillnesstherapist.com/workshops


→ There are two blogs to accompany this podcast episode

  • When Trying Harder Makes It Worse: A Different Approach to Chronic Illness Recovery
  • The Relationship You Didn't Ask For: Navigating Chronic Pain and Emotional Regulation


ASK DESTINY ANYTHING

→ Submit your questions here


FOR YOU, OUR PODCAST LISTENERS


JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)


FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON event in Atlanta, GA, in the Spring or Fall of 2026! Sign up for the waitlist here!

🛋️ Join The Mastermind! (monthly business and clinical consultation calls for medical professionals specializing in working with patients with chronic illnesses)

🧭 Get Your Client Roadmap For Navigating Complex Trauma and Chronic Illness (specifically for mental health therapists) (COMING SOON- sign up for the waitlist)

**

WANT TO SAY THANKS - Reviews tell the app, “hey, people like this! Show it in the algorithm to more people!” :)

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify

**

Disclaimer: Everything we talk about here is just meant to be general education and information. It's not intended as personal mental health or medical advice. If you have any questions related to your unique circumstances, please contact a licensed therapist or medical professional in your state of residence.


Show more...
4 months ago
47 minutes 20 seconds

The Chronic Illness Therapists
Ep 99: How Clinical Hypnosis Actually Helps with Gut Issues

THERAPISTS: Join my 4-week group with physical therapist Jason Therrien

  • This is specifically designed to reduce tension in the body that comes from 1) sitting all day and 2) holding client stories in our brains and bodies.
  • LEARN MORE HERE

GENERAL PUBLIC - JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)

**

Episode summary: In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Antonia Repollet to demystify clinical hypnosis and explore how it's revolutionizing treatment for gut-brain disorders like IBS and IBD. We dive into what clinical hypnosis actually is (spoiler: nothing like stage hypnosis), why it's so effective for digestive issues with 70-80% success rates, and what you can realistically expect from treatment. Dr. Repollet breaks down the gut-brain connection, explains how our nervous systems develop "muscle memory" for symptoms, and walks us through what sessions actually look like - including some fascinating techniques for people whose minds race too fast for traditional meditation. Whether you're dealing with functional disorders, chronic pain, or just curious about evidence-based mind-body approaches, this conversation offers practical insights and realistic expectations about what healing can look like.

Resources mentioned:

→

MEET DESTINY: Website / Instagram / BlueSky / YouTube / TikTok

MEET GUEST: Website / Instagram / X / BluSky / YouTube / TikTok (link all)

SIGN UP FOR DESTINY'S NEXT LIVE WORKSHOP

→ When Everything’s Connected: Understanding Autism, ADHD, and Chronic Health Conditions

  • Saturday Aug 30th noon EST

https://www.thechronicillnesstherapist.com/workshops

→ READ THE BLOG FOR THIS EPISODE

ASK DESTINY ANYTHING

→ Submit your questions here

FOR YOU, OUR PODCAST LISTENERS

JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)

FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON event in Atlanta, GA, in the Spring or Fall of 2026! Sign up for the waitlist here!

🛋️ Join The Mastermind! (monthly business and clinical consultation calls for medical professionals specializing in working with patients with chronic illnesses)

🧭 Get Your Client Roadmap For Navigating Complex Trauma and Chronic Illness (specifically for mental health therapists) (COMING SOON- sign up for the waitlist)

🌱4-week group with physical therapist Jason Therrien

  • This is specifically designed to reduce tension in the body that comes from 1) sitting all day and 2) holding client stories in our brains and bodies.
  • LEARN MORE HERE

**

SAY THANKS - Reviews tell the app, “hey, people like this! Show it in the algorithm to more people!” :)

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify

**

Disclaimer: Everything we talk about here is just meant to be general education and information. It's not intended as personal mental health or medical advice. If you have any questions related to your unique circumstances, please contact a licensed therapist or medical professional in your state of residence.


Show more...
4 months ago
51 minutes 17 seconds

The Chronic Illness Therapists
Ep 98: You Don't Have to Choose Between Conventional Medicine & Holistic Health w/ Rita Gupta, DO

SIGN UP FOR DESTINY'S NEXT LIVE WORKSHOP

→ When Everything’s Connected: Understanding Autism, ADHD, and Chronic Health Conditions → CLICK HERE TO JOIN


Episode summary: In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Rita Gupta, a board-certified family medicine physician and integrative medicine practitioner, to discuss why you don't have to choose between traditional medicine and holistic approaches when managing chronic pain. We explore the three types of pain (nociceptive, neuropathic, and neuroplastic), explore how fear and anxiety create real physical symptoms in the body, and tackle some controversial territory around vaccines and chronic illness. Dr. Rita shares her unique perspective as someone who's lived with chronic pain herself while working within both traditional and integrative medical models, and we discuss practical strategies like understanding your personal recovery times, the importance of pain education in changing beliefs, and why finding practitioners who see you as a whole human - not just a collection of symptoms - can be life-changing. Whether you're feeling stuck between medical approaches or struggling to make sense of conflicting health information, this conversation offers a balanced, nuanced perspective on creating your own integrated approach to healing.


MEET DESTINY: Website / Instagram / BlueSky / YouTube / TikTok

MEET GUEST: Website / Instagram

→ READ THE BLOG FOR THIS EPISODE


ASK DESTINY ANYTHING

→ Submit your questions here


FOR YOU, OUR PODCAST LISTENERS

JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)


FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON event in Atlanta, GA, in the Spring 2026! Sign up for the waitlist here!

🛋️ Join The Mastermind! (monthly business and clinical consultation calls for medical professionals specializing in working with patients with chronic illnesses)

🧭 Get Your Client Roadmap For Navigating Complex Trauma and Chronic Illness (specifically for mental health therapists) (COMING SOON- sign up for the waitlist)

**

WANT TO SAY THANKS - Reviews tell the app, “hey, people like this! Show it in the algorithm to more people!” :)

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify

**

Disclaimer: Everything we talk about here is just meant to be general education and information. It's not intended as personal mental health or medical advice. If you have any questions related to your unique circumstances, please contact a licensed therapist or medical professional in your state of residence.


Show more...
4 months ago
57 minutes 7 seconds

The Chronic Illness Therapists
Ep 97: Beyond Restrictive Diets: Real-World Nutrition Tips for EDS, POTS, and MCAS

Episode Summary: In this episode, registered dietitian Louisa O'Grady shares practical, evidence-based nutrition strategies for managing EDS, POTS, and MCAS without falling into restrictive diet patterns. Louisa, who lives with these conditions herself, debunks common myths about low histamine diets (they're meant to be temporary, not lifelong), introduces important tips like using belly bands for POTS symptom management during meals, and explains why your food reactions might actually be triggered by environmental factors like stress or barometric pressure changes rather than the food itself. She emphasizes an additive rather than restrictive approach to nutrition, offering practical solutions throughout the whole episode to manage histamine levels and strategic fiber introduction for gut health. Throughout the conversation, Louisa highlights the importance of individualized care, nervous system regulation, and working with qualified professionals who understand the complex interplay between these conditions and nutrition.


Resources mentioned:

→ Harvard Healthy Plate


MEET DESTINY: Website / Instagram / BlueSky / YouTube / TikTok

MEET GUEST: Website / Instagram


SIGN UP FOR OUR NEXT LIVE WORKSHOP

→ When Everything’s Connected: Understanding Autism, ADHD, and Chronic Health Conditions Sat Aug 30th @ 12pm EST


→ READ THE BLOG FOR THIS EPISODE


ASK DESTINY ANYTHING

→ Submit your questions here


FOR YOU, OUR PODCAST LISTENERS

Join The Membership (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)


FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

🛋️ Join The Mastermind! (monthly business and clinical consultation calls for medical professionals specializing in working with patients with chronic illnesses)

🧭 Get Your Client Roadmap For Navigating Complex Trauma and Chronic Illness (specifically for mental health therapists) (COMING SOON- sign up for the waitlist)

**

WANT TO SAY THANKS? - Reviews tell the app, “hey, people like this! Show it in the algorithm to more people!” :)

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify

**

Disclaimer: Everything we talk about here is just meant to be general education and information. It's not intended as personal mental health or medical advice. If you have any questions related to your unique circumstances, please contact a licensed therapist or medical professional in your state of residence.


Show more...
5 months ago
49 minutes 44 seconds

The Chronic Illness Therapists
Ep 96: When You Actually Need a Registered Dietitian, Not More Therapy w/ Samina Qureshi

THERAPISTS! Join me and Victoria Rodriguez of Revive Counseling in our 6-week Chronic Illness Therapists Cohort! This is a curriculum-based consultation class for therapists who want to do their best work with the chronic illness population.

[CLICK HERE TO JOIN]


**

Episode summary: In this follow-up episode with registered dietitian Samina Qureshi, we explore her new clinical textbook that tackles something I see all the time in my practice - when chronic GI conditions create eating patterns that look disordered but have nothing to do with weight or body image. Samina and her team of 10 health professionals wrote this resource because they were seeing patients come in terrified of food, experiencing unexplained weight loss, not because they wanted to be thin, but because they were genuinely afraid of throwing up or having worsened GI symptoms. We talk about ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) and how it shows up in the GI space, why it's so important to believe patients when they say certain foods cause pain even without a formal diagnosis, and how the goal isn't just telling someone to "eat and you'll feel better" - because how frustrating is that advice? Instead, it's about finding accessible ways to nourish their body while expanding their diet and helping them feel confident around food again. This conversation is valuable for both clinicians who want to understand these complex intersections and for anyone living with GI conditions who's been told their very real physical symptoms are just anxiety when they're actually doing what they can to keep their body safe.


Resources mentioned:

→ Samina’s Book, Comprehensive Nutrition Therapy for Co-Occurring Gastrointestinal & Eating Disorders: the EDGI Training Project


MEET DESTINY: Website / Instagram / BlueSky / YouTube / TikTok


MEET SAMINA: Website / Instagram / TikTok


SIGN UP FOR DESTINY'S NEXT LIVE WORKSHOP

→ Aug 30th


→ READ THE BLOG FOR THIS EPISODE


ASK DESTINY ANYTHING

→ Submit your questions here


FOR YOU, OUR PODCAST LISTENERS


JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)


FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON event in Atlanta, GA, in the Spring or Fall of 2026! Sign up for the waitlist here!

🛋️ Join The Mastermind! (monthly business and clinical consultation calls for medical professionals specializing in working with patients with chronic illnesses)

💻Join me and Victoria Rodriguez of Revive Counseling in our 6-week Chronic Illness Therapists Cohort! This is a curriculum-based consultation class for therapists who want to do their best work with the chronic illness population.

⁠[CLICK HERE TO JOIN]

🧭 Get Your Client Roadmap For Navigating Complex Trauma and Chronic Illness (specifically for mental health therapists) (COMING SOON- sign up for the waitlist)

**

SAY THANKS - Reviews tell the app, “hey, people like this! Show it in the algorithm to more people!” :)

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify

**

Disclaimer: Everything we talk about here is just meant to be general education and information. It's not intended as personal mental health or medical advice. If you have any questions related to your unique circumstances, please contact a licensed therapist or medical professional in your state of residence.



Show more...
5 months ago
35 minutes 52 seconds

The Chronic Illness Therapists
Ep 95: The ADHD Brain Food Everyone Says to Avoid & A Secret Ingredient for ADHD Nutrition w/ Annika Angelo MS

JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)

**

Episode summary: In this episode, I sit down with ADHD nutrition research expert Annika Angelo to bust some of the biggest myths floating around ADHD and diet. We talk about why that viral "78% improvement" elimination diet study is actually BS, why you shouldn't be afraid of fruit, and the truth about Red 40 and food additives (spoiler: the US actually has stricter regulations than the EU). We talk about what stress really does to our bodies, why community is the secret ingredient most people ignore, and practical tips that actually work for ADHD brains. If you're tired of conflicting nutrition advice and want to know what the research actually says, this one's for you. Bottom line: stop putting so much pressure on yourself around food choices – there are way bigger factors affecting your health than whether you eat gluten.


MEET DESTINY: Website / Instagram / BlueSky / YouTube / TikTok

MEET Annika: Website / Instagram / YouTube / TikTok / The Nutritional Mental Health Podcast (Apple)


SIGN UP FOR DESTINY'S NEXT LIVE WORKSHOP

→ Nervous System-Informed Care for Chronic Illness: Aligning your self-care habits with your personal values, capacity levels, and nervous system needs. https://chronicillnesstherapist.myflodesk.com/selfcare


→ READ THE BLOG FOR THIS EPISODE


→ ASK DESTINY ANYTHING Submit your questions here


FOR YOU, OUR PODCAST LISTENERS

JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)


FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON event in Atlanta, GA, in the Spring or Fall of 2026! Sign up for the waitlist here!

🛋️ Join The Mastermind! (monthly business and clinical consultation calls for medical professionals specializing in working with patients with chronic illnesses)

🧭 Get Your Client Roadmap For Navigating Complex Trauma and Chronic Illness (specifically for mental health therapists) (COMING SOON- sign up for the waitlist)

**


WANT TO SAY THANKS? - Reviews tell the app, “hey, people like this! Show it in the algorithm to more people!” :)

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify


**

Disclaimer: Everything we talk about here is just meant to be general education and information. It's not intended as personal mental health or medical advice. If you have any questions related to your unique circumstances, please contact a licensed therapist or medical professional in your state of residence.

Show more...
5 months ago
1 hour 2 minutes 32 seconds

The Chronic Illness Therapists
Ep 94: At my sickest, I couldn't leave my house

At my sickest, I couldn't leave the house most days. Over 10 years later, I can have full days out without even thinking about it. This is a small part of my real, unfiltered story of living with chronic illness—the struggles with getting diagnosed, what finally started to help, and the hard truths about healing that no one talks about.

In this video, I share:

  • Why I stopped chasing diagnoses after being gaslit by doctors
  • The role of pharmaceutical medication in my healing journey
  • What trauma work actually is (and isn't)
  • The truth about neuroplastic pain and medical gaslighting
  • How I went from housebound to living a full life


I talk honestly about low-dose naltrexone, ketotifen, functional medicine, and why healing isn't a one-size-fits-all journey. If you're struggling with chronic pain, ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, or just feeling lost in the medical system, this might resonate with you.


Chronic Pain & Illness IntensivesIf you're ready to work on changing your relationship with chronic pain while still taking proper medical care of yourself, I offer 1:1 intensives over 2-3 days.


Apply for an intensive here: https://forms.gle/3Xv6jFcTroX7fbpEA

Show more...
5 months ago
6 minutes 29 seconds

The Chronic Illness Therapists
Ep 93: Medical Micro-Traumas w/ Emma Tynan

Episode Summary:

Today I sit down with Emma Tynan, an Irish psychotherapist who specializes in medical trauma and chronic illness, bringing both professional expertise from over a decade as a nurse and personal understanding from her own chronic health journey. We explore the often-overlooked micro-traumas of chronic illness—how the real devastation often hits not during the big diagnosis moment, but in quiet daily realizations like the day you can't hold a spoon or write in a journal the way you used to.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Why the recovery period after treatment can actually be the hardest time
  • The unique challenges of having symptoms without a diagnosis
  • How to work with "different versions of yourself" each day using Emma's "money in your purse" approach to energy management
  • Why our goals often need to shift from doing more to doing less
  • How family and friends can unintentionally add to trauma through well-meaning but invalidating responses

Emma offers practical guidance for both those living with chronic illness and the people who want to support them, emphasizing that there's no universal experience of illness and the most powerful thing we can offer is simply asking and listening rather than assuming we know what someone needs.

MEET DESTINY: Website / Instagram / BlueSky / YouTube / TikTok

MEET EMMA: Website

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEXT LIVE WORKSHOP

→Nervous System-Informed Care for Living With A Chronic Illness 🪴 July 26th 2025 @ 12PM EST / 9AM PST

→ READ THE BLOG FOR THIS EPISODE

ASK DESTINY ANYTHING

→ Submit your questions here

FOR YOU, OUR PODCAST LISTENERS

Join The Membership (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)

FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

🛋️ Join The Mastermind! (monthly business and clinical consultation calls for medical professionals specializing in working with patients with chronic illnesses)

🧭 Get Your Client Roadmap For Navigating Complex Trauma and Chronic Illness (specifically for mental health therapists) (COMING SOON- sign up for the waitlist)

**

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Disclaimer: Everything we talk about here is just meant to be general education and information. It's not intended as personal mental health or medical advice. If you have any questions related to your unique circumstances, please contact a licensed therapist or medical professional in your state of residence.


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6 months ago
44 minutes 37 seconds

The Chronic Illness Therapists
Ep 92: Narcissistic Abuse When It Intersects with Chronic Pain - Insights from Pamela Madsen

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Episode summary:

In this episode, therapist Pamela Madsen, MS, LPC, explores the often-overlooked connection between narcissistic abuse and chronic pain conditions. Pamela breaks down the four types of narcissistic parents (grandiose, covert, malignant, and communal) and explains how growing up with narcissistic caregivers creates hypervigilance that extends beyond scanning the environment to scanning the body internally, amplifying pain perception and contributing to conditions like fibromyalgia, IBS, and migraines. She discusses why many high-achieving adults don't recognize their childhood experiences as traumatic, how complex PTSD manifests in successful people who come to therapy for seemingly unrelated issues, and why addressing the underlying trauma through therapy can significantly improve both emotional well-being and physical pain symptoms. Pamela emphasizes that healing begins with repairing the relationship with oneself and recognizing that you deserve care and are worthy of good things, rather than existing solely to benefit others.

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Pamela is the owner of Sea Change Therapy, where there is a variety of specialties in the office with accessible building and easy parking access. Pamela also provide supervision and clinical consultation to other professionals.

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→ Beyond the Behavior: Understanding hair pulling, skin picking, nail biting, or other body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) in Chronic Illness

https://www.thechronicillnesstherapist.com/workshops

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FOR YOU, OUR PODCAST LISTENERS

JOIN DESTINY’S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness

→ ⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it’s a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)

FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! WOOO! It’ll be an IN-PERSON event in Atlanta, GA, in the Spring or Fall of 2026! Sign up for the waitlist here!

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🧭 Get Your Client Roadmap For Navigating Complex Trauma and Chronic Illness (specifically for mental health therapists) (COMING SOON- sign up for the waitlist)

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SAY THANKS - Reviews tell the app, “hey, people like this! Show it in the algorithm to more people!” :)

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify

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Disclaimer: Everything we talk about here is just meant to be general education and information. It's not intended as personal mental health or medical advice. If you have any questions related to your unique circumstances, please contact a licensed therapist or medical professional in your state of residence.


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7 months ago
56 minutes 8 seconds

The Chronic Illness Therapists
Disrupting the mental health and medical system for people with chronic, invisible illnesses. We will no longer accept lack of answers, empathy, and guidance from the professionals we are told to trust. It’s not in your head, you are not a burden, and we’ll prove that to you one episode at a time. I'm an Atlanta-based mental health therapist specializing in chronic pain / invisible illnesses. This podcast is for educational and insight purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for mental health treatment. Always seek medical advice before making changes to your health regimens.