The Chronic Illness Therapists

By Destiny Davis LPC CRC

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 trus... more

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FAQs about The Chronic Illness Therapists:

How many episodes does The Chronic Illness Therapists have?

The podcast currently has 144 episodes available.

The Chronic Illness Therapists episodes:

December 19, 2025 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.
...more
44min
December 13, 2025EP 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.
...more
43min
December 03, 2025Ep 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.
...more
53min
December 01, 2025 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.
...more
49min
November 14, 2025 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.
...more
53min
November 07, 2025 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.
...more
39min
October 31, 2025 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.
...more
51min
October 31, 2025 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.

...more
41min
October 19, 2025 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.

...more
59min
October 07, 2025Ep 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.
...more
52min

FAQs about The Chronic Illness Therapists:

How many episodes does The Chronic Illness Therapists have?

The podcast currently has 144 episodes available.

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