A diagnosis that does not go away changes more than your body. It can change your work, your plans, your relationships and how you see yourself. Some days you cope well. Other days, even a shower feels like a big task. Chronic illness counselling in Ottawa gives you a place to sort through all of it with someone who understands. This post covers grief after a lasting diagnosis, pacing, how pain, sleep and mood connect, and how to get support from home or our downtown office.
This post is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Counselling works alongside your medical care, never instead of it. Please keep your doctor and care team involved in decisions about treatment.
What chronic illness counselling in Ottawa is for
Chronic illness covers many conditions that last a long time. Examples include diabetes, arthritis, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, long-term pain, heart conditions and many more. Living with any of them can affect your mental health. People with a long-term illness are more likely to face depression, and depression can make the illness harder to manage (see Sources).
Counselling is not a cure for your condition. It is support for the person living with it. Chronic pain counselling in Ottawa and counselling for other long-term conditions can help you:
Make sense of the feelings that come with a diagnosis
Plan your energy so you have more good days
Cope with pain, poor sleep and low mood
Talk with family, friends and your workplace about what you need
Find a sense of meaning and identity beyond your illness
You can read more on our chronic illness and disability page.
Grief and uncertainty after a diagnosis that stays
Many people are surprised to feel grief after a diagnosis. Nobody died, so why does it feel like loss? But you may be grieving the life you expected, a job you loved, a sport you can no longer play or simply feeling "normal." That grief is real and it makes sense.
Uncertainty adds another layer. You may not know how your condition will change, when the next flare will come or what treatment will work. Not knowing can be harder than bad news.
In counselling, you can say the hard things out loud: the anger, the fear, the "why me." You do not have to stay positive for anyone. A therapist can help you hold the grief and the hope at the same time, without forcing either one. Over time, many people find a way to grieve what changed while still building a life that feels like their own.
Energy, pacing and the boom-and-bust cycle
Many people with a chronic illness fall into what is often called a boom-and-bust cycle. On a good day, you try to catch up on everything: laundry, errands, work, seeing friends. The next day, or the day after, you crash. Then you rest until you feel better, and the cycle starts again.
Pacing for chronic illness is one way to break this cycle. It means:
Spreading tasks across the week instead of doing them all at once
Taking planned breaks before you are exhausted, not after
Breaking big jobs into small parts
Noticing early signs that you are pushing too hard
Slowly building up activity on a steady base
Pacing sounds simple, but it can be hard to do. It may mean saying no to things you want to do, or resting when you feel fine. Old beliefs like "rest is lazy" can get in the way. A therapist can help you notice those beliefs and build a plan that fits your body and your life.
Pain, sleep and mood
Pain, sleep and mood are closely linked. Pain can make it hard to sleep. Poor sleep can make pain feel worse the next day. Both can drag down your mood, and low mood can make pain harder to cope with. It can feel like a loop with no way out.
Psychological therapies for chronic pain, like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), have been studied a lot. A large Cochrane review found that they can bring small improvements in pain, distress and disability for some adults (see Sources). Small does not mean useless. For many people, a small change in how pain affects their day makes a real difference.
In counselling, you might work on:
Noticing the thoughts that make pain feel more frightening
Making room for discomfort while still doing things that matter to you
Gentle routines that support rest
Ways to calm your body when pain flares
Your therapist will not tell you the pain is "in your head." Pain is real. Therapy helps with how you live with it.
Relationships, work and saying no
A chronic illness affects the people around you too. Partners may take on more at home. Friends may not understand why you cancel plans. Coworkers may not see your illness at all, especially if it is invisible.
Common struggles include:
Feeling guilty for needing help
Feeling like a burden
Being told "but you look fine"
Worrying about falling behind at work
Hiding symptoms so people won't treat you differently
Coping with chronic illness often means learning to say no and ask for what you need. That can feel uncomfortable at first. In counselling, you can practise what to say, decide what to share and with whom, and find ways to protect your energy without pulling away from everyone.
Counselling from home on harder days
Getting to an appointment is not always easy. On a flare day, the drive, the walk and the waiting room can use up energy you don't have. That is one reason many people choose online sessions.
With online counselling, you can join a session from your couch, your bed or wherever you are comfortable in Ontario, with a blanket and a cup of tea if that helps. Some people mix online and in-person sessions depending on how they feel that week.
One option for online support is Fariba Touyeh, a clinical psychologist whose profile lists chronic pain among the areas she supports. She sees clients online anywhere in Ontario. You can learn more about Fariba Touyeh. If you're not sure who to choose, the free consultation can match you with a good fit.
The downtown Ottawa office
If you'd like to meet in person, our Ottawa office is at 1 Rideau St, 7th Floor, in downtown Ottawa. It is a short walk from Rideau Station on the O-Train. You can call the office at (613) 691-1006.
If accessibility or energy is a concern, mention it during the free consultation. The team can help you plan sessions that work for your body, whether that means in person, online or a mix.
You do not need to have everything figured out before you reach out. Many people start by saying, "I'm tired of carrying this alone." That is enough to begin. Your therapist will go at a pace that respects your energy, your medical care and your goals.
Cost, billing and your first step
Sessions with our therapists range from $130 to $200, depending on the clinician.
We accept Health Spending Accounts (HSAs).
We can direct bill many insurers. Coverage depends on your plan, so check with your insurer before you start.
Book a free 15-minute consultation with our admin team. Let them know you're looking for chronic illness counselling, and whether you'd prefer the Ottawa office, online or both.
If you're in crisis: if you or someone you love is in immediate danger, call 911. If you're thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 any time, day or night.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Sources
Psychological therapies for the management of chronic pain (excluding headache) in adults, Williams and colleagues, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020
Understanding the link between chronic disease and depression, National Institute of Mental Health