Chronic Illness & Pain Therapy
Health Psychology Treatment | Los Angeles, California, and New York
Overview
Living with chronic illness or chronic pain can affect every part of life — physical, emotional, and relational. I provide evidence-based therapy for chronic illness and pain grounded in health psychology for adults in Los Angeles, California, and New York via telehealth.This work focuses on helping individuals cope with ongoing symptoms, reduce emotional distress, and build a meaningful life alongside medical conditions. Treatment emphasizes skill-building, self-compassion, and sustainable behavior change, rather than pushing through symptoms or striving for unrealistic control.Who I Work With
My services may be a good fit if you:Live with chronic pain, fatigue, or persistent physical symptomsAre managing autoimmune, neurological, or complex medical conditions that are either chronic or progressiveExperience flares, uncertainty, or loss related to health changesFeel frustrated, overwhelmed, or self-critical about your bodyStruggle with pacing, boundaries, or energy managementWant practical tools to improve quality of life alongside illness
I frequently work with individuals navigating medical conditions in combination with anxiety, stress, sleep difficulties, or mood changes.Evidence-Based Approaches I Use
Treatment is individualized and may integrate:Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Reducing struggle with pain and symptoms while building a values-driven lifeCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Addressing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors that maintain distressMindfulness-Based Interventions: Developing present-moment awareness and emotional flexibilityPacing and Energy Management: Supporting sustainable activity without push–crash cyclesRelaxation and Nervous System Regulation: Reducing physiological stress and pain amplificationPsychoeducation: Understanding the mind–body connection
These approaches are widely supported in chronic pain and medical populations.What Therapy May Look Like
Chronic illness and pain therapy is collaborative, structured, and paced carefully. Sessions may include:Education about pain, stress physiology, and symptom flaresSkill-building for managing uncertainty and symptom variabilityIn-session practice of mindfulness and relaxation techniquesValues clarification and behavior change strategiesSupport for identity shifts, grief, and self-compassion
The goal is not to eliminate symptoms, but to reduce suffering and improve day-to-day functioning and quality of life.About the Psychologist
Hi, I’m Elika! I’m a licensed clinical psychologist based in Los Angeles and have advanced training in health psychology and mind–body medicine. For over 10 years, I have worked in integrated medical and healthcare settings, and also maintain a telehealth private practice serving Los Angeles and California residents. I have worked all across the medical system, including in Pain Management, Sleep Medicine, Movement Disorders/Parkinson’s Disease, Oncology, Primary Care, Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, and Palliative Care. I’ve also worked on inpatient unites in Bone Marrow Transplant and Oncology, and Palliative Care. My approach integrates ACT, mindfulness, pacing strategies, CBT-informed tools, and self-compassion. Please reach out if you’re interested in scheduling an intake screening for this group.