Chronic Illness
Living with a chronic illness requires making adjustments to many areas of your life.
Being able to understand your condition and advocate for yourself, manage your symptoms - all while trying to maintain a quality of life it takes a village!
Here’s the thing though, YOU are the expert on you, who do you want in your village? I’d like the chance to help you thrive in spite of your chronic illness.
How We Can Work Together With Your Chronic Illness
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Let's Begin
Recognize and accept the feelings that come with living with a chronic illness. Let’s process them—not push them away—so you can move forward more easily.
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The Re-Frame
Changing your thoughts doesn’t mean your struggle isn’t real or you haven’t tried. We will still acknowledge and accept your feelings, then find new ways to move forward.
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The Toolbox
Build a personal toolbox of coping skills to live with a chronic illness. Notice your feelings about your health and trust you can handle them.
About Me & My Practice
Hello! I’m Jenna, of Counselling & Health Advocacy by Jenna Reed-Côté, and I became a therapist to be one of the helping professionals I needed growing up with chronic health issues.
Navigating life and the healthcare system can feel overwhelming. Emotions pop up, seemingly counterproductive to what you're trying to do. My goal is to create a calm space to meet you where you're at, in any given session. Therapy can feel daunting, especially when you've rarely felt welcome to collaborate in your own healthcare…maybe you’ve even felt like a piece of meat? We’ll work together to help you reclaim your power.
I specialize in supporting clients with chronic illnesses. I can help you feel like the expert on you and find your voice. I can provide you with tools tailored to your unique needs, be it communication or advocacy.
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Psychotherapist/Social Worker
I know what it’s like when you're advocating at the top of your lungs but it feels like no one's listening.
I can help you feel like the expert on you and find your voice. I can provide you with tools tailored to your unique needs, be it communication or advocacy.
I want to help you learn tools to communicate differently with the people around you so you can see what you can really do!
I received my:
Masters of Social Work degree from Dalhousie University in 2018
Bachelor of Social Work degree from University of Victoria in 2012.
membership with Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers (#837982)
membership with British Columbia College of Social Workers (#13987).
FAQs
Q: Are your services covered by insurance?
Before booking a session, please make sure that your health benefits cover services provided by a registered social worker (which I am).
Q: Where are you registered to provide your services?
Ontario and British Columbia, Canada.
Q: Where are your services located?
I only provide virtual services.
Q: What is your session rate?
An hour-long session is $135.
Q: What are your credentials?
I have my Master of Social Work degree from Dalhousie University (2018) and my Bachelor of Social Work degree from University of Victoria (2012).
Q: What is health advocacy?
If you have navigated the healthcare system, you know it’s not easy! Whether you’re wondering if you’re allowed to speak up, how you’re supposed to manage your symptoms or medication, the anxiety of preparing for appointments or procedures/surgery - not only are you not alone, you are the EXPERT on you!
I can help you process what can be an overwhelming process - mind, body and spirit - how to find your voice to communicate with your healthcare team, family and friends and find ways to reframe and get creative to cope.
Q: Do you only support clients with chronic illness and disability?
No, I also support clients with anxiety and depression.
Q: What disabilities are your services geared towards?
Spinal Cord Injury, spinal cord defects, mobility disabilities.
Q: How do you support the family and friends of people with chronic illness or disability?
I find it important to acknowledge that your family and even close friends can also “have” your diagnosis. How? Why? They are on this journey with you but are experiencing it from a different vantage point. If you are having surgery, your family and friends, who are there supporting you, are also watching you navigate it and - it ain’t easy to watch someone you love going through pain. Your support system also needs support, though it may look a little (or a lot) different. They more they can get their own unique support, the better able they can be to support you.
Q: How do you engage in advocacy in the disability/chronic illness community?
I have been an ambassador for the Rick Hansen Foundation since 2017. In that work I give presentations to (largely) kids and communities across Canada, educating the importance of accessibility and inclusivity. Furthermore, we talk about the steps they can be taking to be more inclusive of people with disabilities.
In 2021, I led the Vancouver team participating in the largest survey ever conducted on accessibility for Canada by AccessNow. Vancouver, Calgary and Ottawa teams came together - with and without disabilities - to map their cities for accessibility in local businesses and public spaces.
Contact us.
jenna@counsellingandhealthadvocacy.ca
(604) 200-2927