What if I'm not ready to talk?

That’s okay. You don’t have to show up with the right words or a clear explanation. Many clients arrive unsure where to begin. My role is to help you find your footing — not expect you to have it all figured out first.

Is this only for people with chronic illness or pain?

Nope. While much of my work focuses on chronic illness, pain, and fatigue, I also support people navigating stress, identity shifts, or recovery from medical trauma. If you're curious, it's okay to explore.

Do you only offer long-term therapy?

No. I offer short-term and long-term options depending on your needs. Some people find relief or insight in just a few sessions. Others want a space for deeper exploration over time. We’ll shape it together.

What if I don’t know how to explain what’s going on?

That’s completely normal. Sometimes pain and overwhelm defy neat language. You don’t need to be eloquent — you just need to show up. I’ll help us slow things down and make sense of what’s happening, together.

What if I’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t help?

Many of my clients have felt unseen, dismissed, or rushed in past therapy. My approach is collaborative, paced, and tailored. You're allowed to want a different kind of support — and to feel cautious as you try again.

How does online therapy work for this kind of thing?

Online therapy works much like in-person therapy — but with the flexibility to show up from your own space. We meet over secure video, and many clients find it more accessible, especially when living with fatigue or pain.

What if I’m afraid nothing will help?

That fear makes sense — especially if you’ve been let down before. You don’t need certainty to begin. You just need a tiny opening toward something different. We’ll build the rest from there, together.

What tools or strategies do you use?

I draw from cognitive and behavioral therapies, somatic practices, mindfulness, and pain science education. My goal is to offer grounded, practical tools — while also holding space for your unique story and nervous system.

Can we talk about more than just symptoms?

Absolutely. Symptoms are part of the story, but so are identity, grief, hope, family, creativity, and meaning. This work is about more than pain relief — it's about reconnecting with your sense of self.

Mind-Body Therapy for Chronic Pain, Illness, & Burnout—tailored to you

If you’re navigating pain, fatigue, or emotional exhaustion—and wondering whether therapy can actually help—you’re in the right place.

I offer integrative, online therapy for adults ready to approach healing differently.

Soft natural light in a home setting with a small vase and plant — calm and grounded visual for mind-body therapy for chronic pain and illness

You don’t have to be in “crisis mode.”

You don’t need to have the perfect words.

You don’t even have to believe this will work yet.

You just have to be ready for something different.

Curious about how I approach care? Learn more about how I work.

You might be in the right place if…

→ You plan your day around pain or fatigue
→ You’re living with chronic illness, diagnosed or not
→ You’ve been told “it’s just stress” — but never given the tools and support to do anything about it
→ You’re emotionally and physically exhausted but everyone says you look “fine”
→ You want tools that work — but also a space to feel seen in the struggle
→ You want someone who gets the full picture—therapy that supports both your mental and physical health

You don’t have to check every box—but if even one resonates, that matters.

a serene softly lit shelf with a white ceramic cat figurine and stacked books - calm, minimal space symbolizing comfort and mindful therapy for chronic pain and health-related stress

What Working Together Looks Like

I specialize in helping adults who are living with long-term health conditions, chronic pain, or complex emotional burnout.

Our work together is:

Collaborative — We clarify your goals and revisit them together
Gentle — Especially when you’re in a flare, crash, or shutdown
Practical — No fluff. Just grounded tools that respect your energy
Personalized — Based on your symptoms, pattern, and pacing

We might draw from:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Nervous system and pain science education
Mindfulness therapy
Somatic therapy
Trauma-informed care

Want to know how these actually work in therapy? Explore my therapy approaches.

dr kalianivala standing with a soft smile, hands gently resting in front, showing a green floral snake tattoo on her arm - calm, grounded presence for chronic pain and integrative therapy

What Happens When You Reach Out

1 Answer a few questions

Once you request a consultation, I’ll send you a short form online to complete ahead of time.

It’s designed to help you reflect on what’s been going on and what you’re hoping to shift — not a quiz, just a thoughtful starting point.

2 Meet for a free consultation

This 15-minute video (or phone) call is where we’ll talk though what brought you here and whether working together feels like the right fit.

You’re welcome to ask questions about my approach, get clarity on next steps, or simply feel things out. No pressure, just a conversation.

P.S. Not sure how to pronounce my name? You’re not alone—here’s how to say it.

3 Explore what comes next—together

If we both feel it’s a good match, we’ll talk about what ongoing support might look like—whether that’s weekly therapy, a one-time class, or something else entirely.

We’ll go at your pace, and you’ll have my support in making a choice that actually works for you.

Still Not Sure?

What if I'm not ready to talk yet?

That’s completely okay. A lot of my clients start here because they’re curious—not committed.
This consult is just a soft place to explore your options. There’s no pressure to explain everything perfectly, and no expectation to move forward right away.

Read: Pain is More than Just Physical
Is this only for people with chronic illness or pain?

Not at all. While I specialize in therapy for pain, illness, and stress-related burnout, I also work with clients navigating emotional exhaustion, anxiety, or major life transitions.
If you’re not sure where you fit—that’s okay. You’re still welcome here.

Explore My Therapy Approaches
Do you only offer long-term therapy?

Nope. Some people work with me for a short period of time, others stay longer. Clients who are interested in practical pain coping skills often get benefit in just 5 sessions, or so.
At your consultation, we’ll talk about what kind of support fits your life, energy, and goals. No one-size-fits-all plan—just something that makes sense for you.

Try a One-Time Class: Empowered Relief
What if I don't know how to explain what's going on?

That’s completely okay—it’s actually really common.
Whether it’s physical pain, emotional fog, or a quiet burnout that’s hard to name, you don’t need to have the “right words” to start therapy. We’ll explore it together, gently, and at your pace.

Read: Breaking the Cycle of Chronic Pain
What if I've tried therapy before and it didn't help?

That can feel discouraging—and I want to name that.
A lot of my clients come to me after working with therapists who didn’t understand the connection between physical symptoms and emotional health.
This work is different: it integrates mind and body, respects your lived experience, and moves at a sustainable pace.

learn more about my approach
How does online therapy work for this kind of thing?

Great question. Therapy for chronic pain, illness, or emotional burnout can absolutely work online—and it often gives clients more flexibility and comfort. We’ll use simple, accessible tools (read: you don’t need to be tech-savvy), and I’ll guide you through techniques designed to work from wherever you are.

Read: Get the Most from Telehealth Therapy
What if I'm afraid nothing will help?

That fear makes sense—especially if you’ve been dismissed, misdiagnosed, or let down before.
You don’t have to believe in therapy yet. You just have to be curious—and show up as you are. This space is here for the part of you that’s still quietly hoping.

Try Empowered Relief
What tools or strategies do you use?

I use an integrative approach that includes evidence-based therapies like CBT, mindfulness, nervous system education, and pacing strategies—all tailored to your specific symptoms and goals.
Whether you’re looking to break out of boom-bust cycles, reduce flare-ups, or improve how you manage fatigue, our work will always focus on clarity, structure, and tools you can use between sessions.

try a skills-based class
Can we talk about more than just symptoms?

Yes—and we usually do.
Your symptoms are real, but they’re not the whole story. We’ll explore how pain or illness may be connected to emotional patterns, trauma, identity, or even spiritual questions that arise when your body no longer feels like home.
Therapy is a space where all of that can be honored—without rushing to “fix” it.

Read: Healing is spiritual

Choose Your Next Step

Book a Free Consultation

No commitment. Just a conversation.

book now
Try a One-Time Class

Empowered Relief is a Stanford-developed 90-minute mind-body skills class for pain relief—no deep dives, no therapy commitment.

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Not Ready Yet?

Check out “Pain is More than Just Physical,” a blog post to help you understand the full picture of pain.

Read More