Who is TheChronicIllnessPsychologist?

Hi, I’m Alice. I’m a Clinical Psychologist with twenty years of experience in health and psychology services, I also live with Long Covid, and before that, ME/CFS.

At Mind, Body and Spoons, I work with people who are living with chronic illness/es, and connect with them through a deeply rooted understanding of both clinical and personal aspects of life.

I know that chronic illness isn’t limited to a single medical issue. It’s a whole-life altering issue that can take away your energy and ability to think. There are days you can’t get out of bed and times when it’s hard to keep going. It chips away at your confidence, your sense of self, your relationships, and the future you thought you were working toward.

My Background:

Since 2020, Long Covid and POTS have reshaped my life. Before that, ME/CFS had already given me a crash course in the art of pacing, surrender, and redefining success. I went from a career I’d spent years establishing and a wide circle of friends to spending all day in bed, wondering if I’d ever be able again to do something as simple as meet a friend for a cuppa.

I’ve dealt with the unpredictable energy crashes, the brain fog that steals your words, and the frustration of a body that doesn’t behave. Learning to adapt has been a slow, and sometimes infuriating, journey. But, psychological tools and therapy have been invaluable; learning to regulate my nervous system has been invaluable, alongside re-learning ways to find value and meaning in my life.

The last Covid infection brought with it Histamine Intolerance, and to manage this I needed to overhaul everything I ate. It wasn’t easy to do, and was especially hard when you love food like I do (which has also led to struggles with weight gain). Thankfully I have had help from @ChronicIllnessChef, and with her help, I can enjoy delicious treats and nutrient dense food.

How I can help:

In our work together, I help people find ways to navigate the emotional toll of living in a body that doesn’t follow the rules anymore. That might mean gently unpacking the grief that comes with potentially losing various aspects of your life; career, hobbies, or social life. It might mean working out how to live more in line with your current energy levels without losing your sense of who you are. Often it means learning how to live alongside uncertainty, whilst finding new meaning, connection, and joy in the life you now have.

What I offer:

As part of Mind, Body and Spoons, I’ll be offering workshops designed to support nervous system regulation and emotional wellbeing. These sessions will bring together gentle, accessible psychological tools to help you find steadier ground in a body that can feel unpredictable. We’ll explore ways to soothe your nervous system, cope with pain, understand and process the complex emotions that arise with chronic illness and reconnect with purpose and meaning, even in the midst of ongoing limitations.

In addition to these workshops, I’ll also be offering regular therapeutic-coaching that specifically addresses living with chronic illness, and helping you create and manage a new life

We want to create a supportive community for people with chronic illness. A place to share stories, exchange practical tips, and find encouragement without judgement. Because living with chronic illness can feel isolating, but you don’t have to do it alone.

Through the Mind, Body and Spoons website and Instagram I’ll be sharing posts about how to adapt to life with chronic illness, and use tools from the world of psychology and therapy to help you reconnect with yourself. We’ll also find ways to make space for your emotions, and ways to live meaningfully, even when your body won’t do what it used to.

There’ll be gentle strategies for managing fatigue, pacing, brain fog, pain and grief; reflections on the emotional realities of chronic illness; and I’ll share my own experience of navigating all this too. It’s not about fixing yourself, it’s about finding ways to meet yourself with compassion, and carry both the mess and the meaning of this life you didn’t choose.

So, if this sounds good to you, drop us a line through our contact page, and head on over to both our Instagram and Facebook pages to get involved with our communities.