Are you new to managing chronic illness? Have you been feeling overwhelmed with an uncertain future because of your illness? Or maybe you’ve been managing for a while now and wish you had more support and understanding. If any of this feels like you, Collective Wellness invites you to join our Living with Chronic Illness Support Group.
The Living with Chronic Illness Support Group is an open-membership, ongoing support group. This means that people can join at any time rather than waiting for the next group “cohort” to start like you would for a closed-membership, time-limited group. Our group meets two times per month, the first and third Wednesday of each month, from 2:30 to 4:00 via Zoom.
We will explore a topic relevant to the Chronic Illness community during the first session each month. For example, self-advocacy in the healthcare system, setting boundaries with loved ones, or coping with the grief and losses of a life-changing illness. Our second monthly session is an open discussion meeting where members can bring anything to the table related to managing or coping with chronic illness. All our sessions are virtual to make them accessible to those with mobility, pain, and other issues that make getting to a brick-and-mortar office difficult.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today to discuss enrolling in the group. We’ll save you a seat!
Cost per session:
$30
Schedule:
First & third Wednesday of each month
Time:
2:30-4:00 PM
Christie has been a practicing therapist since graduating from the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work in 2007. She became a Clinical Social Worker in 2010 after completing her post-graduate clinical hours at Pittsburgh Action Against Rape, Allegheny County’s sexual violence crisis and treatment center. While initially focused on the treatment of sexual violence over the lifespan, Christie has expanded over her years in practice to treating trauma in many of its varying forms, including from accidents, illnesses, traumatic loss, domestic and intimate partner violence, traumatic birth, combat exposure, and moral injury. Christie specializes in the treatment of Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C- PTSD) and in the many ways trauma survivors adapt their lives to cope with the overwhelming experiences inherent to ongoing Post Traumatic Stress.
Christie transitioned to private practice for several years before beginning a four-year journey with a local Vet Center near Pittsburgh, which is part of the Pittsburgh VA Healthcare System. This is where her love for group therapy really began. It was here that she had the opportunity to develop and pilot a curriculum for group therapy for Military Sexual Trauma survivors. She adapted the curriculum for all sexual trauma survivors once returning to private practice in 2021.
Christie currently works full time as a private practice therapist providing individual, romantic partner(s), and group therapies. She is also fully trained in the use of EMDR as a tool in the recovery process.
Collective Wellness
20 Cedar Boulevard
Suite 400
Pittsburgh, PA 15228
