If you have an eating disorder and a chronic illness, recovery might not look like what gets celebrated online, and that disconnect can leave you feeling like you're doing it wrong. The missing piece isn't more willpower; it’s a provider who actually understands how these two things interact.

In this episode, you'll hear from Tiffany Pecoraro, MS, RD, LD, EDOC, Registered Dietitian and founder of Freedom With Nutrition, who specializes in eating disorder recovery alongside co-occurring chronic conditions. Her insight: the goal isn't a perfect diet, it's finding every creative path toward adequate nourishment for your specific body and your specific picture.

Connect with Destiny:  Instagram / Facebook

______________________________

🤝 RESOURCES & WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER

______________________________

🩺 FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

💬 Clinical Consultation

→ ⁠The Chronic Illness Cohort⁠: A 6-week live virtual program for allied health professionals ready to deepen their clinical skills and get real consultation on their most complex cases. Led by Destiny Davis, LPC, CRC and Victoria Rodriguez, PhD, LPC. Open to therapists, PTs, OTs, RDs, and other allied health providers. Starts April 7th, runs through May 12th, 2026. Includes 4 NBCC-approved CE hours and 5 independent study hours.

→ ⁠The Mastermind⁠: A free monthly business and clinical consultation group for therapists, PTs, OTs, and RDs specializing in chronic illness. Come think through cases, talk shop, and connect with a community of providers who really get this work.

🎓 Continuing Education

→ ⁠The Chronic Illness Therapists Conference⁠ — 2027: The 2026 conference was just the beginning. We're returning to Atlanta (new venue!) in October 2027 — in person and virtually. Early bird pricing is live now.

→ ⁠Past CE Workshops⁠ Browse past on-demand continuing education workshops in the Skool community. 

______________________________

🌊 FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS

🛋️Therapy:

→ ⁠Therapy Intensives with Destiny⁠: Half-day and full-day intensive therapy sessions are now available for clients in Georgia, Florida, and Colorado. A good option if weekly sessions aren't working for your schedule — or if you want to do deeper work in a shorter window.

🧑‍💻Non-therapy Support Groups/Education

→ Latest Workshops Here

→ ⁠Welcome to the Waiting Room⁠ is a low-cost membership run by Destiny and guest experts each month, including:

• General support groups, 2–4 Fridays per month at 12 EST

• Sex + Chronic Pain Support Group — biweekly, on Thursdays at 11am EST for those navigating intimacy while living with chronic pain. Facilitated by Jessica Sullivan-Sanchez, LPC, CRC, SEP, a somatic sex therapist with lived experience.

• Monthly community education workshops on topics relevant to life with chronic illness with new expert guests each month

These groups are not therapy and are not a replacement for therapy. Due to ethical guidelines around dual relationships, current therapy clients of Destiny or Angie are not able to join the membership at the same time. If you have questions about whether the membership is the right fit for you, feel free to reach out before joining.

______________________________

⚠️ DISCLAIMER

The Chronic Illness Therapists Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing shared in this podcast — by Destiny, guests, or anyone else — constitutes medical advice, mental health treatment, or a therapeutic relationship. Listening to this podcast does not create a client-provider relationship of any kind. Always consult with your own qualified healthcare providers before making decisions about your medical care, mental health treatment, or medications. If you are in crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

Therapists and Physical Therapists - Join our 6-week Chronic Illness & Medical Trauma Cohort, starting April 7th. Only 5 of 20 spots left. Learn more at https://www.thechronicillnesstherapist.com/the-chronic-illness-therapists-cohort Body reconnection is often the goal of trauma work — but it can't be where you start. In this episode, licensed counselor and chronic illness specialist Destiny Davis, LPC, CRC breaks down why sequencing matters in somatic work with chronically ill clients, what gets in the way of felt safety, and how to assess readiness without pathologizing a client's protective responses.You'll learn:- Why rushing toward body connection can flood your clients, and what to do instead- How to work with dissociation as a protector, not an obstacle- The role of belief systems, disability justice, and adaptive tools in building safety- What questions to ask to identify each client's unique obstacles to readiness- Why there's no universal protocol, and how to build an individualized framework anywayWhether you're newer to somatic approaches or already integrating body-based work into your practice, this episode will challenge you to slow down, stay curious, and meet your clients exactly where they are.Want to go deeper? Destiny and Victoria Rodriguez, LPC, PhD are offering their final 6-week Chronic Illness & Medical Trauma Cohort of 2026, starting April 7th. Only 5 spots remain. Learn more at https://www.thechronicillnesstherapist.com/the-chronic-illness-therapists-cohort

If you have chronic kidney disease, you've probably been told to cut out potassium, avoid phosphorus-rich foods, and brace for dialysis. But what if most of that advice is outdated and the foods you've been avoiding are actually the ones that could protect your kidneys?

In this episode, you'll hear from Jen Hernandez RDN, CSR, LDN, who makes the case that the most powerful thing people with CKD can do isn't eliminate more foods, but stop fearing the ones that were never the problem to begin with.

Connect with Destiny:  Instagram / Facebook

______________________________

🤝 RESOURCES & WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER

______________________________

🩺 FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

💬 Clinical Consultation

→ ⁠The Chronic Illness Cohort⁠: A 6-week live virtual program for allied health professionals ready to deepen their clinical skills and get real consultation on their most complex cases. Led by Destiny Davis, LPC, CRC and Victoria Rodriguez, PhD, LPC. Open to therapists, PTs, OTs, RDs, and other allied health providers. Starts April 7th, runs through May 12th, 2026. Includes 4 NBCC-approved CE hours and 5 independent study hours.

→ ⁠The Mastermind⁠: A free monthly business and clinical consultation group for therapists, PTs, OTs, and RDs specializing in chronic illness. Come think through cases, talk shop, and connect with a community of providers who really get this work.

🎓 Continuing Education

→ ⁠The Chronic Illness Therapists Conference⁠ — 2027: The 2026 conference was just the beginning. We're returning to Atlanta (new venue!) in October 2027 — in person and virtually. Early bird pricing is live now.

→ ⁠Past CE Workshops⁠ Browse past on-demand continuing education workshops in the Skool community. 

______________________________

🌊 FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS

🛋️Therapy:

→ ⁠Therapy Intensives with Destiny⁠: Half-day and full-day intensive therapy sessions are now available for clients in Georgia, Florida, and Colorado. A good option if weekly sessions aren't working for your schedule — or if you want to do deeper work in a shorter window.

🧑‍💻Non-therapy Support Groups/Education

→ Latest Workshops Here

→ ⁠Welcome to the Waiting Room⁠ is a low-cost membership run by Destiny and guest experts each month, including:

• General support groups, 2–4 Fridays per month at 12 EST

• Sex + Chronic Pain Support Group — biweekly, on Thursdays at 11am EST for those navigating intimacy while living with chronic pain. Facilitated by Jessica Sullivan-Sanchez, LPC, CRC, SEP, a somatic sex therapist with lived experience.

• Monthly community education workshops on topics relevant to life with chronic illness with new expert guests each month

These groups are not therapy and are not a replacement for therapy. Due to ethical guidelines around dual relationships, current therapy clients of Destiny or Angie are not able to join the membership at the same time. If you have questions about whether the membership is the right fit for you, feel free to reach out before joining.

______________________________

⚠️ DISCLAIMER

The Chronic Illness Therapists Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing shared in this podcast — by Destiny, guests, or anyone else — constitutes medical advice, mental health treatment, or a therapeutic relationship. Listening to this podcast does not create a client-provider relationship of any kind. Always consult with your own qualified healthcare providers before making decisions about your medical care, mental health treatment, or medications. If you are in crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

If you've ever felt like you were failing at being sick, like you weren't trying hard enough, being positive enough, or consistent enough, this episode is for you. What if the pressure to heal is actually part of what's making things harder?

In this replay from episode 73, you'll hear from Grace Quantock, psychotherapeutic counsellor, advocate, and author of the newly released book, Reclaiming Wellness with Chronic Illness. She makes a compelling case that wellness culture's obsession with cure isn't just unhelpful, it's a system designed to blame us for our own suffering.

Connect with Destiny:  Instagram / Facebook

______________________________

🤝 RESOURCES & WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER

______________________________

🩺 FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

💬 Clinical Consultation

→ The Chronic Illness Cohort: A 6-week live virtual program for allied health professionals ready to deepen their clinical skills and get real consultation on their most complex cases. Led by Destiny Davis, LPC, CRC and Victoria Rodriguez, PhD, LPC. Open to therapists, PTs, OTs, RDs, and other allied health providers. Starts April 7th, runs through May 12th, 2026. Includes 4 NBCC-approved CE hours and 5 independent study hours.

→ The Mastermind: A free monthly business and clinical consultation group for therapists, PTs, OTs, and RDs specializing in chronic illness. Come think through cases, talk shop, and connect with a community of providers who really get this work.

🎓 Continuing Education

→ The Chronic Illness Therapists Conference — 2027: The 2026 conference was just the beginning. We're returning to Atlanta (new venue!) in October 2027 — in person and virtually. Early bird pricing is live now.

→ Past CE Workshops Browse past on-demand continuing education workshops in the Skool community.

______________________________

🌊 FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS

🛋️Therapy:

→ Therapy Intensives with Destiny: Half-day and full-day intensive therapy sessions are now available for clients in Georgia, Florida, and Colorado. A good option if weekly sessions aren't working for your schedule — or if you want to do deeper work in a shorter window.

🧑‍💻Non-therapy Support Groups/Education

→ Latest Workshops Here

→ Welcome to the Waiting Room is a low-cost membership run by Destiny and guest experts each month, including:

• General support groups, 2–4 Fridays per month at 12 EST

• Sex + Chronic Pain Support Group — biweekly, on Thursdays at 11am EST for those navigating intimacy while living with chronic pain. Facilitated by Jessica Sullivan-Sanchez, LPC, CRC, SEP, a somatic sex therapist with lived experience.

• Monthly community education workshops on topics relevant to life with chronic illness with new expert guests each month

These groups are not therapy and are not a replacement for therapy. Due to ethical guidelines around dual relationships, current therapy clients of Destiny or Angie are not able to join the membership at the same time. If you have questions about whether the membership is the right fit for you, feel free to reach out before joining.

______________________________

⚠️ DISCLAIMER

The Chronic Illness Therapists Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing shared in this podcast — by Destiny, guests, or anyone else — constitutes medical advice, mental health treatment, or a therapeutic relationship. Listening to this podcast does not create a client-provider relationship of any kind. Always consult with your own qualified healthcare providers before making decisions about your medical care, mental health treatment, or medications. If you are in crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS:

🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! 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:

In this episode, licensed professional counselor and supervisor Dr. Heather Olivier joins us to explore the intersection of neurodivergence and chronic illness—and what it means for both clients and clinicians. Drawing from her perinatal loss research, her clinical work using Relational-Cultural Theory and Brainspotting, and her own lived experience as an autistic, ADHD individual with POTS and MCAS, Heather brings a uniquely personal and professional lens to the conversation.

In this conversation, we cover:

● Why neurodivergent conditions like ADHD are so frequently misdiagnosed in women—and how missed diagnoses contribute to chronic illness down the road

● The barriers neurodivergent and chronically ill therapists face in session—and why making accommodations for yourself as a clinician is an act of clinical care, not selfishness

● How Brainspotting bridges the gap between physical pain and emotional experience for clients living with chronic illness and invisible conditions

● Practical strategies for building a more inclusive therapeutic space—for both the clinician and the client

Heather reminds us that an inclusive space for one is an inclusive space for all. Her work at Olivier Counseling and Consulting, her role shaping the next generation of clinicians at Southeastern Louisiana University, and her nationally recognized perinatal loss research all reflect a commitment to meeting clients—and students—exactly where they are.

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

MEET GUEST: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠ / LinkedIn

⁠⁠→ ⁠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! 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.

FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS:

🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! 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:

In this episode, licensed marriage and family therapist Lisa Gray shares practical strategies for maintaining healthy relationships when chronic illness enters the picture—whether you're navigating high-conflict dynamics or learning to communicate through the unique challenges of chronic pain and fatigue.

In this conversation, we cover:

● Why externalizing chronic illness as a "third partner" helps couples team up against the problem instead of blaming each other—even when both partners are grieving in different directions

● How to have scheduled, calm conversations using the speaker-listener framework so you actually understand each other before jumping to problem-solving

● Why intimacy can become even more intimate when you scale back to sensual touch and connection—and how to navigate those conversations without guilt or pressure

● The importance of the well partner taking care of themselves (and why it's the ill partner's job to encourage that), plus creative solutions for managing household responsibilities as a team

Lisa reminds us that healthy conflict isn't just about reducing fights—it's also about being brave enough to have the hard conversations chronic illness demands. Her work focuses on teaching couples to stay connected, communicate with empathy, and renegotiate their relationship over and over as illness evolves—because this is chronic, and the adjustments never really end.

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

MEET GUEST: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ / ⁠Instagram⁠ / Twitter / TikTok

⁠⁠→ ⁠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.

FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS:

🏢 WE’RE HOSTING A CONFERENCE! 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:

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Victoria Rodriguez, PhD, LPC, a licensed professional counselor in New Orleans, Louisiana. In her private practice, she specializes in medical trauma and provides wellness trainings for professionals and healthcare organizations. She also serves on the Pregnancy Associated Mortality Review Board with the Louisiana Department of Health to advance equitable medical care across the state.

In this conversation, we cover:

MEET GUEST: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ / ⁠Instagram⁠

Join Victoria's next FREE training "The Home-Based Practice: Intentional Design for the Chronically Ill Telehealth Therapist" to learn how to design your office and practice to build a successful business AND prioritize your comfort. 

Register at homebasedtherapist.com

⁠⁠→ ⁠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! 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.

🏢 WE’RE HOSTING THE CHRONIC ILLNESS THERAPISTS CONFERENCE! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6 & 7, 2026!

REGISTER HERE!⁠⁠⁠⁠

Use code EARLYBIRD for $100 off!

Episode Summary:

In this episode, therapists Destiny Davis and Victoria Rodriguez explain why chronic illness requires specialized clinical training beyond traditional therapy approaches and discuss the first-ever Chronic Illness Therapist Conference. They explore common treatment goals for chronically ill clients—including communicating needs without feeling burdensome, learning to rest and pace, and navigating accommodations—while debunking the myth that all major medical experiences are inherently traumatic and addressing how environmental factors and systemic issues often contribute to medical trauma.

REGISTER HERE!⁠⁠ Use code EARLYBIRD for $100 off!

🏢 WE’RE HOSTING THE CHRONIC ILLNESS THERAPISTS CONFERENCE! It’ll be an IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL event in Atlanta, GA, on MARCH 6 & 7, 2026!

⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠REGISTER HERE!

Use code EARLYBIRD for $100 off!

Episode Summary:

In this episode, therapists Destiny Davis and Victoria Rodriguez discuss why empathy alone isn't enough when working with chronically ill clients and share insights about the first-ever Chronic Illness Therapist Conference. They explore the importance of understanding medical terminology, disability theory, and evidence-based frameworks, beyond just lived experience and compassion, to effectively support clients navigating chronic illness, medical trauma, and the US healthcare system.

⁠REGISTER HERE and use code EARLYBIRD for $100 off!

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!⁠⁠⁠⁠

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:

In this episode, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Financial Social Worker Megan Stevenson shares practical insights on navigating the financial and emotional complexities of chronic illness. Through her private practice, Curiosity Counseling and Consulting, Megan helps individuals and caregivers manage the unique intersection of money stress, healthcare costs, and the emotional weight of living with conditions like chronic kidney disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

In this conversation, we cover:

• What financial therapy really is—why it focuses on the emotional relationship with money rather than just budgeting, and how common money blocks like impulsive spending and shame show up with chronic illness

• Practical strategies for navigating healthcare costs, including offsetting expenses through patient assistance programs, understanding hidden insurance benefits, and finding community resources

• Why the healthcare system is working exactly as designed (just not for patients or providers), the critical need for care coordinators, and how providers can build coalitions to advocate for systemic change

Megan reminds us that money is a skill that takes time to develop, and that financial stress during chronic illness isn't a personal failing, but a predictable response to a system that was never designed to support patient wellbeing. Her work emphasizes the importance of addressing both the practical financial literacy side and the deeper emotional and trauma work that shapes our relationship with money.

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

MEET GUEST: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ / Facebook / Threads

⁠⁠→ ⁠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.