Chronic Illness and Mental Health: My Journey as a Therapist with Type 1 Diabetes

When people hear the word “diabetes,” they often think of food restrictions, insulin injections, or blood sugar checks. But for those of us living with a chronic condition, the emotional and mental impact runs far deeper than numbers on a screen.

Chronic Illness and Mental Health: My Journey as a Therapist with Type 1 Diabetes. AE Therapy, Angelica Esposito | EMDR Burlington, Ontario

I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 28 years old, while I was working in a highly stressful corporate environment. On the surface, I appeared successful and driven. But beneath it all, I was disconnected from my body, my emotions, and my core values. I was pushing through each day on autopilot—overachieving, ignoring my limits, and minimizing my needs. When the diagnosis came, it was as if my body had finally said, “Enough.”

That moment changed the trajectory of my life—not only in terms of my physical health but also in how I chose to live, work, and relate to others. It eventually led me to the path of becoming a therapist.

The Emotional Side of Chronic Illness

Living with a chronic condition is a constant balancing act. There’s no break, no pause button. You’re always managing something: your physical symptoms, your energy, your fears, your future. Over time, this can take a toll on your emotional well-being.

Some common emotional struggles that come with chronic illness include:

• Anxiety around health, complications, or uncertainty

• Grief for the life you imagined before your diagnosis

• Guilt when your body doesn’t cooperate or when you need help

• Isolation from feeling misunderstood by friends or family

• Frustration at the relentlessness of daily management

You may look “fine” on the outside, but inside, it’s a lot to carry.

A Therapist Who Understands

In therapy, being truly seen and understood is essential. While I bring years of clinical training, I also bring the kind of understanding you can only gain from living it. I know what it’s like to be thrown into a world of insulin, alarms, medical appointments, and daily calculations. I know the emotional toll of acting like you’re okay while silently juggling exhaustion, fear, and burnout.

And I know the deeper cost of living out of alignment with your values—of staying in environments that wear you down, because you think you have to, or because you’ve lost sight of what you actually need.

Because of this, I approach therapy with chronic illness from a place of shared humanity—never pity, never judgment. Just presence, support, and a deep respect for the strength it takes to live each day with a body that asks more of you than most.

How Therapy Can Help

If you’re living with a chronic illness, therapy can provide a safe, validating space to:

• Talk honestly about your experience without having to educate your therapist

• Process complex emotions like fear, anger, grief, or resentment

• Learn coping tools to manage stress, anxiety, and burnout

• Explore identity shifts that often come with long-term illness

• Reconnect to your values and sense of self beyond your diagnosis

In my practice, I integrate approaches like EMDR, narrative therapy, and mindfulness to support healing from both physical and emotional wounds. And because I know how draining it can be to manage appointments and energy levels, I offer virtual sessions and flexible options to meet you where you are.

You’re Not Alone

If you’re navigating the emotional landscape of chronic illness, I want you to know: you’re not alone. Whether you’ve just been diagnosed or have been managing your condition for years, your story is valid—and it deserves care.

If you’re looking for a therapist who truly understands the mind-body connection because she lives it too, I invite you to book a free consultation. Let’s talk about how therapy can support your journey—not just as a patient, but as a whole person.